“THE FIRST HALF was even, the second half was even worse,” was once uttered by RTE’S GAA analyst and former Kerry footballer Pat Spillane.
St Michael’s 2-6 Naomh Conaill 2-18
That’s the feeling that the locals would’ve had in Dunfanaghy this afternoon as their local St Michael’s competed well in the first half – albeit not level at the break – before being steamrolled in the second half by an impressive Naomh Conaill.
Photo caption: Michael Gallagher of St Michael’s and Seamus Corcoran of Naomh Conaill compete for a loose ball in the AllSportStore.com All-County Football League Division 1 clash at Dunfanaghy this afternoon
Nine points in succession set the holders of the Dr Maguire Cup into a winning position as Dermot Molloy helped himself to seven points the away team having a number of standout performers.
[adrotate group=”46″]With both teams missing their county players with it being a starred fixture, it was anticipated that things would be closer. But Naomh Conaill – with the Donegal and national Comortas titles already in the trophy room for 2016 – gave an example as to why they’ve been such a force of late.
The first half saw three untidy goals but they did give the contest a kick-start.
Firstly Brendan McDyer was on hand to shot under wing-back Liam Paul Ferry after the ball made it’s way to the Naomh Conaill forward following a slap by goalkeeper Dean McColgan after a dropping ball in from Mark Gallagher.
[adrotate group=”38″]That came after 10 minutes to make it 1-1 to 0-1 for the away team after Daniel McLaughlin had opened the scoring for the home team before a leveller from Christopher McGuinness after McColgan had seen a short kick-out pinched.
After Michael Gallagher of St Michael’s and Molloy from Naomh Conaill traded scores, the home team got a somewhat fortuitous goal to get back into the thick of it.
Stephen McGrath, the Naomh Conaill goalkeeper, slipped as he attempted to kick the ball out and after it rebounded off AJ Gallagher, Brian McLaughlin scuffed home from 20 metres into the unguarded goal; the ball trickling over the goal line.
[adrotate group=”72″]So, on 13 minutes, it was 1-2 apiece before Keelan McGee pointed to put St Michael’s in front by the minimum soon afterwards.
However, a second Naomh Conaill goal – another that could’ve been avoided – gave the side managed by Martin Regan and Martin Doherty the half-time initiative.
McColgan in goal stooped to get a dropping ball, which broke to McDyer, who in turn squared for James Doherty to prod home a second Naomh Conaill goals on 24 minutes. It gave the visitors a 2-3 to 1-5 half-time advantage.
That lead went out to eight with scores at the start of part two from McDyer and three on the bounce from Molloy, Eoin Waide and Paul McGuinness before another three in a row from Molloy. Those nine successive points put Naomh Conaill 2-12 to 1-5 in front.
[adrotate group=”77″]St Michael’s needed something to reignite their spark and a goal from Ciaran Gallagher – following a pass from Andrew Kelly – on 45 minutes did at least halt the slide.
But a point at the other end within a minute from McDyer, a Molloy 45 and the county champions continued relentlessly with John O’Malley chipping in late in the game to complete a comprehensive win.
[adrotate group=”70″]St Michael’s: Dean McColgan; Stephen Doak, Stephen Black, Chris McElhinney (0-1); Liam Paul Ferry, Michael Gallagher (0-1), Daniel McLaughlin (0-1); Michael Langan (0-2, 1f), Ciaran Gallagher (1-0); Oisin Langan, Andrew Kelly, Ryan Langan; Ciaran Kelly, Brian McLaughlin (1-0), Keelan McGee (0-1). Subs: Ruairi Friel for D McLaughlin (11), Jamie Hunter for Andrew Kelly (48), Lee McColgan for R Langan (53)
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Aaron Thompson, AJ Gallagher, Cathal Ellis; Eunan Doherty, Marty Boyle, Eoin Waide (0-2); Mark Gallagher, Seamus Corcoran; James Doherty (1-0), Dermot Molloy (0-7, 3f, 45), John O’Malley (0-3, 2f); Brendan McDyer (1-3), Charles McGuinness, Paul McGuinness (0-2). Subs: Ultan Doherty for J Doherty (40), Jamie McHugh for McDyer (50), Logan Quinn for P McGuinness (59).
Referee: Robbie O’Donnell (Naomh Muire)
Tags: