GAOTH DOBHAIR and Kilcar, the last two holders of Dr Maguire, will meet in one of the heavyweight semi-finals of the 2019 Donegal SFC next weekend.
Gaoth Dobhair put their followers through the ringer as they needed extra time to overcome Bundoran 2-20 to 2-17 in a pulsating quarter-final at O’Donnell Park this evening.
Mervyn O’Donnell’s men – the reigning Donegal and Ulster champion – now face Kilcar, the 2017 champions, in a semi-final, with old foes St Eunan’s and Naomh Conaill meeting in the other semi-final clash.
Bundoran stormed back from eight points down and had Gaoth Dobhair to the pins of their collar.
Two Odhrán Mac Niallais penalties looked to have given Gaoth Dobhair a way into the last four, but Bundoran stirred with a barely-believable fightback from the 56th minute.
Gary Clancy blasted a 60th minute free to the net and Gaoth Dobhair’s followers were looking through their fingers when the Seasiders crept closer. In the eighth added minute, Michael McEniff arrowed over a dramatic equalising point.
Eamonn Collum, earlier withdrawn after being booked and ticked, was back in play and hit four points as Gaoth Dobhair went five ahead in the opening passage of extra time.
And yet, Tommy Hourihane’s goal had Bundoran just three behind as the clock turned red again, but Gaoth Dobhair prevailed.
They meet Kilcar, who will bid to be in a third final in four years.
Goals in the first-half by Andrew McClean and Patrick McBrearty earned Kilcar a 2-14 to 0-11 win over derby rivals Killybegs on Saturday night. Kilcar were scoreless for some 20 minutes in the second half, but still managed a comfortable win.
Next week will be Naomh Conaill’s sixth semi-final in a row after they prised away from Glenfin to claim a 1-14 to 0-13 win in Sunday’s high noon derby at Pairc Naomh Columba.
Charles McGuinness’ goal helped Naomh Conaill over the line and their experience counted as they avoided a slip.
They’ll pen the latest chapter of a huge rivalry with St Eunan’s next weekend.
St Eunan’s perhaps shocked even themselves when they scored 5-22 on Saturday evening. The black and amber cruised to a huge 5-22 to 0-11 win over Milford with Eoin McGeehin netting a hat-trick for the Letterkenny men.
St Eunan’s had 11 players on the scoreboard with Darragh Mulgrew and James Kelly also nabbing goals in the destruction of the first-time SFC quarter-finalists.
Intermediate Championship
South Donegal neighbours Naomh Brid and St Naul’s will meet in one of the Intermediate Championship semi-finals.
St Naul’s came from nine points down to defeat Naomh Columba in a cracker at Fintra.
Daniel Brennan hit seven points and Stuart Johnston netted as they claimed a big come-from-behind win.
Naomh Brid, who saw off Red Hughs in Ballybofey, await the Mountcharles side.
Aodh Ruadh – last year’s beaten IFC finalists – marched to an easy 2-19 to 0-8 win over Naomh Muire on Saturday, with Nathan Boyle grabbing 2-2.
Aodh Ruadh lay in wait for the winner of the remaining quarter-final between Naomh Colmcille and Cloughaneely, who meet at 8pm on Monday at Sean MacCumhaill Park. The teams were scheduled to play on Saturday afternoon, but the game was postponed as a mark of respect to the late Paul ‘Diddler’ Dillon.
Junior Championship
Junior Championship favourites Buncrana had Ryan Bradley back in their ranks on Saturday evening as they saw off Moville and they will face Convoy, who.toppled Naomh Padraig, Muff earlier today.
Donegal manager Declan Bonner, at 54, was one of the heroes for Na Rossa as they overcame Urris on Saturday to reach the JFC’s last four, where they will take on Letterkenny Gaels, who had a landslide win over Carndonagh.
Tags:SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Senior Championship
St Eunan’s v Naomh Conaill
Kilcar v Gaoth Dobhair
Senior B Championship
Kilcar v Naomh Conaill
Glenfin v St Eunan’s
Intermediate Championship
Aodh Ruadh v Naomh Colmcille/Cloughaneely
Naomh Brid v St Naul’s
Intermediate B Championship
Cloughaneely v St Naul’s
Aodh Ruadh v Red Hughs
Junior Championship
Buncrana v St Mary’s, Convoy
Letterkenny Gaels v Na Rossa
