HOLDERS KILCAR WERE dumped out of the Donegal SFC when they went down to Naomh Conaill in Donegal Town today.
Kilcar 0-6 Naomh Conaill 1-9
It was closer than the final score suggests as substitute Brendan McDyer scored two late points for Naomh Conaill to give them a three-point lead. Then, in injury time, when another pop at a point, this time from Aaron Thompson was grasped by Kilcar goalkeeper Eamon McGinley under the crossbar, Kieran Gallagher followed up to bundle in a goal to seal the deal.
It looked as though it was perhaps a penalty as Gallagher seemed to carry the ball over the line as he collided with McGinley but in the end, it mattered little.
Already without Patrick McBrearty and Ryan McHugh, the Kilcar manager Barry Doherty must’ve though the footballing gods were contriving against his team when Mark McHugh was forced off with a shoulder injury.
Having kept Naomh Conaill scoers from play in a drab first half in awkward weather conditions, last year’s winners of the Dr Maguire unravlled after the break and it will be the Glenties team who take their place in the semi-final draw this evening.
Kilcar scored the opening two points, though Ciaran McGinley and Matthew McClean with both team having bother holding onto the slippery ball.
It took Martin Regan’s Naomh Conaill some 24 minutes to get on the scoreboard, which they eventually managed through Ciaran Thompson before Dermot Molloy did likewise.
However, in first half injury time Stephen McBrearty scored a fine long-range point to give the Towney-based team the slenderest of advantages, 0-3 to 0-2 up at half-time. Michael Hegarty was perhaps a little fortunate to stay on the field following a high challenge on Anthony Thompson.
Last year’s final was Kilcar’s first triumph since 1993 when they defeat Naomh Conall 0-7 to 0-4. This afternoon, the score attendants were similarly under-employed in a tough first half.
However, with Kilcar at the bare bones, whatever wind there was swirling around Donegal Bay was in the Naomh Conaill sails in part two.
Three points in the opening 12 minutes kicked some beef into their challenge, with Kieran Gallagher, Ciaran Thompson and Jason Campbell all scoring to establish a two-point lead.
It took Kilcar 18 minutes to find their range in the second half and when they finally did they were just 0-5 to 0-4 behind thanks to a point from Matthew McClean. Then, Brian O’Donnell made it all things equal at 0-5 each three minutes later.
But Naomh Conaill persisted and managed to re-establish their lead. Late scores from Kevin McGettigan and another Kieran Gallagher punch over the bar. Matthew McClean pulled one back only for substitute Brendan McDyer to put Naomh Conaill 0-8 to 0-6 in front nefore repeating the trick in injury time.
Gallagher, so impressive when moved inside, made it safe with a goal at the bitter end.
Kilcar: Eamon McGinley; Barry McGinley, Conor McShane, Pauric Carr; Andrew McClean, Michael Hegarty, Barry Shovlin; Ciaran McGinley (0-1), Mark McHugh; Eoin McHugh, Stephen McBrearty (0-1), Matthew McClean (0-3); Conor Doherty, Brian O’Donnell (0-1), Oran Doogan. Subs: Aodhan McGinley for M McHugh (18), Mark Sweeney for Doogan (42), Dara O’Donnell for Doherty (45)
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Kevin McGettigan (0-1), AJ Gallagher, Jason Campbell (0-1); Leo McLoone, Anthony Thompson, Eoin Waide; Ethan O’Donnell, Kieran Gallagher (1-2); Marty Boyle, Eunan Doherty, Ultan Doherty; Dermot Molloy (0-1, 1f), Ciaran Thompson (0-2, 1f), Eoghan McGettigan. S: Brendan McDyer (0-2) for Molloy (53), Aaron Thompson for Campbell (60), Jeaic MacCeallabhui for Campbell (60+2).
Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary’s Convoy)
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