Glenswilly are tapping on the shoulders of Dungloe now in the battle for survival in Division One of the All-County League as Aidy Glackin’s side scored a useful Bank Holiday Monday win over the Rosses man at Pairc Naomh Columba.
Glenswilly 1-12 Dungloe 1-6
The nether reaches of Division One could now take in all five teams in the bottom half, with only four points separating sixth-placed Milford from ninth-placed Dungloe.
Glenswilly, in eighth, are only a point behind Dungloe after this workmanlike win.
They made life unnecessarily difficult for themselves for a brief period when they allowed Conor Greene in for a goal in first-half stoppage time.
That brought Dungloe to within three points at the changeover, but Glenswilly were six in front within ten minutes of the re-start.
Ciaran Bonner – who got the hosts’ goal in the first half – curled over a beauty from the right-hand side nine minutes into part two. Bonner had kick-started a purple patch when he found room where there appeared none to pop over while Gary McFadden (2) and Michael Murphy struck points as Glenswilly moved into command again.
Glenswilly got off to a flier. Murphy drilled over a free in the opening minute and Bonner goaled seven minutes later.
Oisin Crawford’s booming kick from the middle of the park arrowed its way to the rear post where former Donegal player Bonner climbed to get the deftest of touches, batting just inside of the far post.
It took Dungloe 13 minutes for Cory Gallagher to open their account from a free. Ryan Greene added another, but when Leon Kelly hit a wonder point in the 32nd minute Glenswilly were cruising 1-5 to 0-2.
And then they switched off momentarily. Gallagher and Noel McBride were involved at the seat of the move, the Glenswilly defence parted and Conor Greene tucked his shot into Philip O’Donnell’s bottom corner.
Dungloe lost to Kilcar on Thursday night in Towney and it’s been a hectic weekend in the Rosses town. Just last night, the crowning cabaret in the Mary From Dungloe International Festival took place. Mark Curran, Christy Greene, Ryan Greene and Caolan Ward all lined out here having been escorts to some of the Marys.
Ryan Greene popped over a free 40 seconds into the second half and the margin was down to two.
But Glenswilly soon had the issue to bed again with five scores in a six-minute spell.
They might have been in for goal again when the rampaging Eamonn Ward off-loaded to Kelly, but his deflected effort was saved by Ciaran Sharkey.
Bonner, too, could have gone for a major when Brian Farrelly sent him clear, but the experienced forward took his point and Glenswilly – two weeks out from a monster Championship tussle with Gaoth Dobhair in Magheragallon – gave their chances of avoiding the trapdoor a real shot in the arm.
Their eyes won’t glance away from the big one, but they’re finding their form and their players at the right time again.
Glenswilly: Philip O’Donnell; Ruairi Crawford, Eamonn Ward, Paddy McFadden; Joe Gibbons, Aidan McDevitt, Oisin Crawford (0-1); Caolan Kelly, Leon Kelly (0-1); Brian Farrelly, Cathal Gallagher, Gary McFadden (0-2, 1f); Ciaran Bonner (1-3), Michael Murphy (0-4, 3f), Kealan McFadden (0-1). Subs: Ryan Diver for R.Crawford (5), Caoimhinn Marley for L.Kelly (56), Conor Boyce for O.Crawford (59).
Dungloe: Ciaran Sharkey; Doalty Boyle, Mark Curran, Jason McBride; Christy Greene, Gerard Walsh, Darren Curran; Noel McBride, Raymond Sweeney; Cory Gallagher (0-1, 1f), Ryan Greene (0-2, 2f), Shaun Wallace; Donal Rodgers, Conor Greene (1-1), Paul McGarvey. Subs: Adrian Sweeney (0-2, 2f) for C.Green (half-time), Caolan Ward for Wallace (42), Christy Green for Rodgers (57).
Referee: Seamus McGonagle (Aodh Ruadh).
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