Doherty’s goal gets Gaels off to a winning start in Downings

Paddy Doherty struck a second-half goal as Letterkenny Gaels bagged an away win at Downings in Division 3.

Downings 0-5 Letterkenny Gaels 1-6

Letterkenny Gaels travelled to Downings on Sunday for their first match in the 2017 All Sport Division 3 All County League, while Downings already have a game under their belt in which they suffered a heavy defeat by Gaoth Dobhair in the Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta

The game, which was played in windy conditions, was certainly no classic as both teams were guilty of numerous wides. 

The Gaels were first to score with Ciaran Lynch raising the white flag twice in the opening minutes of the game with two fine scores from play before Eric Roberts for the hosts put them on the scoreboard.

Points were traded between John Doran for the Gaels and Gary Mc Clafferty from Downings before referee Tony Gallagher blew for half time. 

The opening minutes of the second half mirrored the first but this time it was Downings who registered two early points from the boot of Ben McBride and Gary ‘Ban’ with the next two scores coming from Ciaran Lynch with a massive kick on the right and Cormac Cannon with a 13m free.

The Gaels were kept in the game after their keeper Shane Graham pulled off two point blank saves from the attacking Downings forwards.

Within minutes it was the Gaels that raised the green flag as Paddy Doherty blasted past the Downings keeper after a goal mouth scramble and Paddy subsequently scored the next point for the Letterkenny men.

With the clock ticking Downings scored another point before referee Tony Gallagher awarded Downings a penalty in injury time which was put wide by Gary ‘Ban’ McClafferty.  

Letterkenny Gaels: S.Graham, B.Diver, K.Kilkenny, C.Browne, D.Hunter, C.Cannon,   O.McElhinney, L.Doherty, B.O’Brien, P.Doherty (1-1) M.Harte, C.Lynch (0-3), J.Doran (0-1), Cormac Cannon (0-1) S.McDonagh. 

Downings: C.McBride, A.Pasoma, M.Davis, H.Davis, B.McBride (0-1), J.McBride, K.Doherty, S.Boyce, J.L.McBride, D.McBride, G.Mc Clafferty (0-3), O.Boyce, S.McGinley, M.McBride, E.Roberts (0-1)

Referee: Tony Gallagher (Red Hughs)