A scintillating second half performance from an outstanding St. Eunan’s Letterkenny saw off the challenge of pre-tournament favourites O‘Donovan Rossa to earn themselves a place in the Paul McGirr U16 Club champions Tournament final.
St Eunan’s 4-13 O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt 1-5
By Joe Rafferty
A two point lead after a very high standard first half left supporters of both sides anticipating a battle right to the wire but two goals immediately upon the restart left the Donegal champions in a great position from which they kicked on to record a comprehensive victory.
Magherafelt were first out of the blocks with a point from midfielder Cormac Murphy and this was quickly followed by a superb individual goal from Eoghan Hawe, finishing left footed to the top corner following a thirty yard run.
The Donegal men were soon into their stride, with their midfield partnership of James Kelly who was doing a great job containing Murphy and his midfield partner Shane O’Donnell dominating proceedings.
Centre forward Darragh Ellison got on the end of a fine passing move to finish to the net for their first goal and Magherafelt keeper Shea Murray had to pull off a superb save to deny the dangerous Michael Gallagher shortly after.
A brace of points each from Conor O’Donnell and Shane O’Donnell and one from Eliison were replied to by Hawe and Ciaran Shields as the teams went in for half time 1-5 to 1-3 in favour of Letterkenny.
However, whatever words of wisdom were disposed by manager Pauric Ryan at half time certainly had the desired effect as the Letterkenny boys emerged for the second half like men possessed. Their half back line of man of the match Sean Ryan, Cormac O’Kane and Peter McEniff put up a barrier that Magherafelt really struggled to breach and the St. Eunans midfield pairing completely dominated the Magherafelt kick outs providing a constant supply of quality ball into a forward line that could not be contained despite the best efforts of the Magherafelt defence.
[adrotate group=”59″]Towering tull forward Padraig McGettigan who had a quiet first half twice finished to the net twice in the first five minutes, the second following an exquisite pass from O’Donnell.
Four points including a monstrous 55- yard Conor O’Donnell free stretched the lead much to the delight of the large Letterkenny following.
Some superb last ditch defending from Ryan and a great save from Eoin O’Boyle to deny Caolan Coyle frustrated the Rossa boys as they sought to fight their way back into contention but the contest was ended when Michael Gallagher outpaced the Magherafelt defence for his sides fourth goal.
[adrotate group=”53″]It was fitting that the scoring was brought to an end by a wonderful point from half back Peter McEniff who had a superb 60 minutes.
The game was well refereed by upcoming Ulster Club final referee Sean Hurson and St. Eunan’s now progress to the final next Saturday seeking to become the first Donegal team since Four Masters in 1999 to annex the coveted Paul McGirr title and following this performance it is hard to see them being denied.
[adrotate group=”76″]St Eunan’s: Eoin O’Boyle; Cormac O’Kane, Anthony Gallagher, Ronan McCann; Conor McKinney, Sean Ryan, Peter McEniff (0-1); Shane O’Donnell (0-2), James Kelly; Sean Breen, Darragh Ellison (1-2), Michael Gallagher (1-2); Conor O’Donnell (0-4), Padraig McGettigan (2-1), Conor Finn. Subs: Ronan McCann for Finn (0-1), Patrick Tobin for Ryan, Ronan McGeehin for Gallagher, Donal Higgins for Breen, Oisin McGarvey for O’Kane, Conor O’Donnell for Ellison
O’Donovan Rossa: Shea Murray, Johnny McErlain, Peter Tohill (0-1), Dermot O’Neill, Aidan McCloskey, Patrick McLarnon, Caolan Coyle, Cormac Murphy (0-1), Caolan Coyle (0-1), Thomas Shea Maynes, Ciaran Shields (0-1), Patrick Batseon, Cathal Martin, Aodhan O’Loughlin, Eoghan Hawe (1-1). Subs: Shea McSorley for Bateson, Ciannan McCann for Shields
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