ST EUNAN’S made their hay in first half as they ran out seven-point winners over Bundoran at Gaelic Park in their opening fixture of the Donegal SFC this evening, writes Charlie Collins.
Bundoran 1-5 St Eunan’s 0-15
The side managed by Richard Thornton were defeated by eventual Ulster finalists in last year’s semi-final in Donegal and began their 2020 campaign with a routine enough win with Niall O’Donnell coming off the bench to score three points.
His bothers, Shane and Conor, delivered three and two points respectively against a Bundoran side who saw Jamie Brennan grab 1-4, all by a point.
By the 15th minute the side from Letterkenny were 0-5 to 0-1 in front with Brennan scoring for the home team and Padraig McGettigan scoring twice, Shane O’Donnell twice and Conor O’Donnell, Ciaran’s son, with an excellent angled shot before adding a fine free from the sideline as St Eunan’s went onto lead 0-10 to 0-1 at the break.
St Eunan’s momentum wasn’t as strong in the second half and 12 minutes from the end, Jamie Brennan’s shot deflected past Shaun Patton after a long ball in from Paul Brennan was knocked down by Ciaran McCaughey.
Moments later at the other end, St Eunan’s almost fashioned a goal only for Shane O’Donnell’s great run and pass being narrowly missed by Eoin McGeehin, who also saw another chance come and go late on when Ashley Mulhern in the Bundoran goal saved.
Two Niall O’Donnell points rounded off the victory for the team from O’Donnell Park, who welcome Kilcar this day week to the Cathedral Town. Bundoran, quarter-finalists in each of the last two seasons, travel to Termon.
Bundoran: Ashley Mulhern; Oisin Walsh, Johnny Boyle, Adam Gallagher; Paul Brennan, Matthew Duffy, Peter McGonigle; Ciaran McCaughey , Michael McEniff; Niall Carr, Alan Russell, Timmy Govorov; Cian McEniff (0-1), Jamie Brennan (1-4), Shane McGowan. Subs: Diarmuid Spratt and Darragh Hoey for Carr and McGowan (45 ), James Stewart for McGonigle (50).
St Eunan’s: Shaun Patton; Peter Devine, Conor Morrison, Conor Parke; Caolan Ward, Aaron Deeney, Peter McEniff; Eamonn Doherty, Sean McGettigan; Conor (Brendan) O’Donnell (0-2), Shane O’Donnell (0-3), Sean McVeigh; Conor (Ciaran) O’Donnell (0-3, 1f), Padraig McGettigan (0-3), Eoin McGeehin (0-1). Subs: Niall O’Donnell (0-3) and Kevin Kealy for P McGettigan and C (B) O Donnell (40), Ciaran Moore for McVeigh (58).
Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary’s, Convoy).
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