League champions Gaoth Dobhair produced a strong second-half performance as they proved too strong for a hard-working Milford team.
Milford 0-14 Gaoth Dobhair 1-22
By Charlie Collins at Moyle View Park
Milford were only four points down following a very competitive first-half but were unable to contain the visitors as they showed impressive form after the half-time break to run out comfortable winners by eleven points in the end.
Cathal McGettigan opened the scoring in the second minute but Gaoth Dobhair replied quickly with four in a row, James Carroll levelled it up and then Odhran MacNiallais kicked three in three minutes, two from frees.
Cathal McGettigan converted another free but again Gaoth Dobhair hit back with three quick points , Michael Carroll, Eamonn Collum and Daire Ó Baoill all from play.
In the 16th minute Luke Barrett scored from distance, MacNaillais replied from play to leave it 0-03 to 0-08 to the visitors.
A minute later Odhran McFadden-Ferry races through from midfield and as he shot for goal was pulled back, Caolan McGettigan made an excellent save to deny Daire Ó Baoill’s well-struck penalty.
Luke Barrett from play and Eamonn Collum from a free exchanged points and then Rory O Donnell’s long ball inside was just inches from Kane Barrett’s grasp and a goal chance was gone.
Naoise Ó Baoill completed the first-half scoring with a point to leave Gaoth Dobhair four ahead at the break 0-06 to 0-10.
Kane Barrett and Christopher Barrett got early points for Milford but in between and after those the impressive Eamonn Collum responded for Gaoth Dobhair to keep his team four ahead 0-08 to 0-12.
Daire Ó Baoill, Michael Carroll and Seaghan Ferry – all from play – made in a seven point game at 0-8 to 0-15 and Gaoth Dobhair in cruise control.
The next eight points were evenly shared , Luke Barrett (2), Chris Barrett and TJ Eversson for Milford and Niall Friel, Collum, Mac Niallais and impressive sub Ethan Harkin for Gaoth Dobhair, 0-12 to 0-19.
We finally got a goal in the 52nd minute when Gaoth Dobhair broke quickly from defence and James Carroll rounded his marker before blasting the ball to the net
Gary Merritt and Eversson added Milford points, Harkin brought his total to three with two more scores and Odhran MacNiallais made it six on the day as he completed the visitors impressive score of 1-22.
Milford: Caolan McGettigan; Conor McNulty, Sean Black, TJ Eversson (0-2); Anthony Fisher, Paddy Peoples, James Doyle; Ronan Docherty, Ryan McMahon; Luke Barrett (0-5, 2), Rory O’Donnell, Christopher Barrett (0-2), Cathal McGettigan (0-3, 2f) , Kane Barrett (0-1), Pauric Curley. Subs: Conor Coll for Doyle (20), Conor McHugh for McNulty (45), Gary Merritt (0-1) for Fisher (50).
Gaoth Dobhair: Christopher Sweeney; Gary McFadden, Neil McGee, Christopher McFadden; Niall Friel (0-1), Dan McBride, Daire Ó Baoill (0-2); Peter McGe, ,Michael Carroll (0-2); Odhran McFadden-Ferry, Odhran MacNaillais (0-6, 2f); Naoise O Baoill (0-1), Eamonn Collum (0-5, 1f), James Carroll (1-2). Subs: Ethan Harkin ( 0-03 ) for Carroll (45), Conor O Baoill for Collum (52), James Ó Baoill for C.McFadden (55), Sean Doherty for Peter McGee (57), Noel Kelly for MacNaillais (58).
Referee: Shane Toolan .
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