ON A WEEKEND where Kilcar took over at the top of the table in the AllSportStore.com All-County Football League Division 1, Chris McNulty and Alan Foley look back.
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Photo caption: Ciaran Ferry of Gaoth Dobhair attempts to go forward for Gaoth Dobhair against St Michael’s in the AllSportStore.com All-County Football League Division 1 in Dunfanaghy on Saturday
Kilcar stumble to the top
WITH news filtering through that Gaoth Dobhair were losing in Dunfanaghy, Kilcar were nine points up on Termon and sauntering their way to the top of Division 1.
By the time Shaun McLaughlin called time at The Burn Road, Kilcar had stumbled onto the summit.
Termon were scoreless for 17 minutes in the second half, but when Kevin McDaid cracked a goal past Eamonn McGinley it was game on. Daire McDaid hit five late points and Kilcar were wobbling, but Martin McHugh’s team clung on for the points.
Patrick McBrearty, Ryan McHugh, Mark McHugh, Conor Doherty and Andrew McClean were among those marked absent, so Kilcar will be delighted to have survived. CMcN
Gaoth Dobhair are finally beaten
GAOTH DOBHAIR were delighted to see Gavin McBride score a late penalty in their first outing in Division 1 back in March against St Eunan’s to earn a 3-14 to 3-14 draw.
Little did they know that that resilience would be the start of what would evolve into a 10-match unbeaten run in league and championship.
That first loss finally came to and end on Saturday evening in Dunfanaghy as Daniel McLaughlin returned to competitive action and Colm McFadden struck 2-3 in St Michael’s 3-11 to 0-11 victory.
St Michael’s have been hot and cold this season but on their day they can beat anyone. Gaoth Dobhair won’t be overly concerned as their start to 2016 is still very impressive. AF
[adrotate group=”68″]Bundoran stay patient and get their rewards
BUNDORAN were mightily unfortunate to have lost their last two Division 1 fixtures before Saturday’s visit of Glenswilly.
In their corresponding fixture at Pairc Naomh Columba against Glenswilly three weeks ago, Bundoran’s 13 men – after Ciaran McCaughey and Christy Keaney had both been booked twice – were level with their hosts, 1-3 to 0-6.
The Seasiders weren’t overly happy with six minutes injury time and were left licking their wounds as Glenswilly – through goals from Eamonn Ward and Patrick McFadden – won out 3-3 to 1-7.
Then, last week at Gaelic Park Bundoran were giving St Eunan’s their full of it and had scored six goals. However, late points from Kieran Sharkey and Patrick McGowan gave the visitors a 4-15 to 6-7 win.
However, on Saturday Bundoran made the most of injury time and Tommy Hourihane’s goal was enough to defeat Glenswilly 1-10 to 0-11. AF
[adrotate group=”69″]Can Ardara and Dungloe stop the slide?
ON the opening day of the new All-County League season, Ardara defeated Glenswilly 0-9 to 1-5 and Dungloe overcame St Michael’s 2-11 to 1-5.
Neither Ardara or Dungloe have picked up a League point since, losing seven on the spin.
Both might’ve won their first games in the Donegal SFC two weeks ago, but their losing League streaks continued at the weekend as Ardara lost to Naomh Conaill and Dungloe were beaten by St Eunan’s.
Arresting the slide is now the immediate aim for Seamus Gallagher and Tony Boyle. CMcN
[adrotate group=”42″]Milford more than holding their own
IT’S NOT always easy to make a step up in the divisions of the All-County League and, more often than not, promotion comes with a warning sign.
The higher the grade, the tougher the competition, something that many teams find out to their cost.
Milford went up to Division 2 last season and consolodating their place in Division 2 would’ve been seen as success.
But new manager Danny O’Donnell has seen his side win five of their first nine games and occupying the second spot in the Division after a fine away win at St Naul’s.
Gary Merritt and Joey Cullen hit the goals and Cathal McGettigan bagged eight points in a 2-13 to 1-10 win.
Milford had beaten Termon and Gaoth Dobhair in Comortás Peile na Gaeltachta to reach the county finals of that competition and are certainly a side enjoying their new surrounds. CMcN
Aodh Ruadh already planning for Division 2
THERE is now just one remaining unbeaten run across the four divisions of the AllSportStore.com All-County Football League and it’s that of Aodh Ruadh in Division 3.
The Ballyshannon men are five points clear of nearest challengers, Downings.
There may be 10 games in the League remaining, but promotion is beginning to look a formality for Aodh Ruadh, even at this early stage of the year.
They have consistency and a ruthless edge to their sword and are showing no particular signs of stopping it.
Division 2 is already calling for the Ernesiders. CMcN
Inishowen pair take over Division 4
RED HUGHS picked a bad night for their house of cards to crumble. On Friday, Seosamh Mac Ceallabhuí’s men lost 5-13 to 0-8 to Na Rossa in Dooey.
That they played before their rivals didn’t help and Moville and Naomh Padraig, Muff took full advantage.
Moville defeated Pettigo 4-20 to 3-2 on Saturday night before the Muff men scored a 1-18 to 1-4 win at Lifford yesterday.
The upshot is that Moville and Muff hold a two-pount lead at the top with a game less played than Red Hughs. CMcN
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