Damian Browne landed a dramatic late winner to propel Red Hughs back into the Donegal JFC final.
Red Hughs 1-11 Letterkenny Gaels 1-10
Browne’s free, in the final minute of Saturday evening’s semi-final against Letterkenny Gaels at Convoy, put the Crossroads men into the decider once more.
Gaels led when Brendan O’Brien’s goal put them in front with a goal in the 44th minute.
However, Calvin Bradley and Browne brought Red Hughs level and Jonny Carlin’s point had Red Hughs in front.
Conor McBrearty’s free teed up a grandstand finale, but in a madcap finish Gaels saw Anthony Diver, Charlie Creevy and Kevin Kilkenny red carded before Browne’s free won the day.
Gaels had got off to a blistering start and led 0-6 to 0-1 midway through the opening period.
Pauric McMenamin rattled a shot against the post with a Red Hughs goal chance, but just before half-time James Carlin punched home a goal and, remarkably, Red Hughs were 1-5 to 0-7 ahead.
There were twists and turns to come, but it was Red Hughs who kept the coolest.
Red Hughs: Ciaran Kelly; Shane Gallagher, Shane McGlinchey, Sean Sweeney; Thomas McMenamin, Gary Kelly, Ryan Kelly; Stephen McMenamin, Damien Browne (0-5f); Pauric McMenamin (0-2), Gerard Melaugh, Odhran Doherty; Pauric McGlinchey, Pauric McGlinchey, James Carlin (1-0), Calvin Bradley (0-3). Subs: Jonny Carlin (0-1) for Doherty, Cathal Doherty for T.McMenamin.
Letterkenny Gaels: James Carr; Kevin Kilkenny, Sean McDonagh, Ray Quinn; Ciaran Lynch, Conor Browne, Darren Hunter; Ciaran Cannon (0-1), Paddy Doherty; Diarmuid Cahill, Cormac Cannon (0-1), Anthony Diver; Conor McBrearty (0-8, 5f), Brendan O’Brien (1-0), Shay Doherty. Subs: Charlie Creevy for S.Doherty, Odhran McMacken for Cormac Cannon, Liam Doherty for Cahill.
Referee: Liam McConigley (Downings)
