NAOMH CONAILL ADDED the Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta senior title to the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta Donegal SFC with an uncomplicated win over Kilcar in Ardara.
Naomh Conaill 1-11 Kilcar 0-6
Martin Regan’s team, who defeated St Eunan’s 0-11 to 0-10 to lift the Dr Maguire Cup six days’ ago, have another piece of silverware – it’s the first time the Glenties based side have ever won the Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta and in doing so, they defeated the reigning champions.
Eoghan McGettigan was sent off seconds after being introduced last weekend, although still left MacCumhaill Park with a smile on his face following his side’s victory and today, his goal 12 minutes from time sealed the deal.
In truth, with Naomh Conaill 0-7 to 0-5 in front, the 17-year-old was most likely looking to shoot over a point but his shot from the right flew over Kilcar goalkeeper Kevin Campbell and into the top corner.
Although Naomh Conaill faced the wind in the first half, they still were 0-5 to 0-2 in front at the break.
The Kilcar panel form a guard of honour for new Donegal SFC champions Naomh Conaill at Pearse Park in Ardara
That advantage might’ve been even greater, only John O’Malley’s close-range effort from a Johnny McLoone pass for goal in the last minute of the first half hit the Kilcar post. Then, as Dermot Molloy shot from a rebound, a combination of Campbell and corner-back Barry Shovlin got their bodies in the way.
As it was, Molloy did soon pop over the fifth point for this side – having also scored the fourth – adding to earlier scores from Cathal Ellis, O’Malley and Eoin Waide. Kilcar’s first half points both came from Stephen McBrearty.
Eight minutes into the second half, with the first successful free of the day from either side, McBrearty a free and then from play and despite Naomh Conaill’s relative comfort, their lead was only one point – 0-5 to 0-4.
However, points from O’Malley and Molloy steadied any nerves before McGettigan’s goal and late in the game Molloy and Leo McLoone sealed the win.
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Aaron Thompson, Cathal Ellis (0-1), Jason Campbell; Marty Boyle, Anthony Thompson, Eoin Waide (0-2); Johnny McLoone, Ciaran Brennan; Leon Thompson, Dermot Molloy (0-5), Daragh Gallagher; John O’Malley (0-2), Leo McLoone (0-1), Brendan McDyer. Subs: AJ Gallagher for Brennan (40), Eunan Doherty, Ciaran Thompson and Eoghan McGettigan (1-0) for McDyer, D Gallagher and J McLoone (45), Stephen Molloy for Campbell (52), Hugh Gallagher for L Thompson (55).
Kilcar: Kevin Campbell; Barry Shovlin, Conor McShane, Pauric Carr; Matthew McClean, Michael Hegarty (0-1), Andrew McClean; Mark McHugh, Stephen McBrearty (0-4, 1f); Aodhan McGinley (0-1), Ryan McHugh, Patrick Gallagher; Mark Sweeney, James Cunningham, Conor Doherty. Subs: Cormac Cannon for M Sweeney (44), Stephen Shovlin for Cunningham (52) Pauric Sweeney for Gallagher (53), Noel Hegarty for McShane (60).
Referee: Jimmy White (Killybegs)
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