AMID EMOTIONAL scenes, Mandy Kelly delivered a Man of the Match display to captain Glenswilly to a gripping win over Sean MacCumhaills in the Northern Board Under-14 League final
Glenswilly 1-11 MacCumhaills 2-7
By Charlie Collins at O’Donnell Park
A minute silence was held before the game for the late Manus Kelly, whose wife, Bernie, was in the stand as son Mandy starred in the win at O’Donnell Park.
Less than a week after three-time Donegal International Rally champ Manus was buried last Thursday, Mandy led the way as the Glenmen took the silverware.
Glenswilly raced to a early four-point lead, two from play by Mark Bonner and Eoghan Scott and a pair of frees from Oisín McGrenra.
Ruairi Callaghan opened MacCumhaills account in the 14th minute with a ‘45 but, five minutes later, Glenswilly finally got the goal they had threatened from the start.
After his first effort had hit the inside of the post, Conor Kelly followed up to slot the ball home.
A minute later midfielder Michael Doherty burst through but, with options available, he choose to shot but missed the target.
Oisín McGrenra pointed from play, Diathi McMahon got only MacCumhaills second point but Christopher Diver kicked two excellent points from play to leave the half-time score 1-7 to 0-2 in Glenswilly’s favour.
Glenswilly opened the second-half with a brillant five-man move which ended with Oisín McGrenra shooting straight at keeper Sean Martin.
Four minutes later it was MacCumhaills turn to sweep towards goal and they were awarded when Conor McGinty finished off an excellent move and the lead was down to six, 1-8 to 1-2 .
In the next ten minutes we had an exchange of points, two for Glenswilly from Donal Gallagher and Oisín McGrenra’s free and three from MacCumhaills, two from play by Odhran Bonner and a Ruairi Callaghan free to reduce the deficit to just four points with 15 minutes left to play.
A couple of minutes later it was down to a single point as MacCumhaills got a second goal.
They were awarded a penalty when Cathal Cannon was fouled and although keeper John Quin denied Ruairi Callaghan first attempt he was finally able to steer the ball through to leave just a point in it.
Oisín McGrenra pointed a free to leave two between them and a minute later MacCunhaills keeper Sean Martin denied Christopher Diver what looked a certain goal.
Daithi McMahon converted a free and then Cathal Cannon produced an excellent point to level it up at 1-10 to 2-7.
It was there for the taking now and both sides squandered but right at the end of normal time, big midfielder Micheal Doherty took on the responsibility of shooting for goal and was rewarded as the ball sailed over the bar.
Referee James Conners added three minutes of injury-time but MacCumhaills just couldn’t fight back again and Glenswilly won by 1-11 to 2-7.
Both teams advance to the County Under 14 Championship Quarter-finals, as do Termon who beat St.Eunans in the third place play-off.
Glenswilly: John Quinn, Mickey Toner, Oran Canning, Aidan Friel,Mark Bonner, Mandy Kelly, Donal Gallagher (0-1), Reid Kelly, Michael Doherty (0-1), Jamie McCauley, Eoghan Scott (0-1), Daithi Gallagher (0-1), Conor Kelly ( 1-0), Christopher Diver (0-2), Oisín McGrenra (0-5, 4f). Subs: Shane Walsh, Lee Gibbons, Karlo, Sean McClean, Adam Lynch, Rickey Guntrip, Jamie Spratt.
Sean MacCumhaills: Sean Quinn, Josh Reid, Martin Mbuli, Tiernan McCafferty, Cathal Cannon (0-1), Fionn McNulty, Joseph Boyle , Diarmuid O’Donnell, Shaun McMenamin, Conor McGinty (1-0), Ruairi Callaghan ( 1-2, 1f, 1 ‘45), Odhran Bonner (0-2), Darragh Boyle , Daithi McMahon (0-2, 1f) Daniel Lynch. Subs: Jamie Meehan, Riain McBrearty, Adam Quinn, Shaun Sweeney.
