REIGNING All-County Football League Division One champions Kilcar are still in the race to retain their crown following victory over Gaoth Dobhair this afternoon at Towney.
Kilcar 4-9 Gaoth Dobhair 1-13
In an open and entertaining contest, with both sides missing a sprinkling of players, it was the abilities of Michael Molloy’s Kilcar to take their goal chances that made the difference.
Stephen McBrearty, Mark Sweeney, Matthew McClean and Ryan McHugh all hit the net.
It was a whirlwind start. After Michael Carroll had given the visitors a first minute lead with a well-taken point, Kilcar struck back with points from Cormac Cannon and then Ciaran McGinley. On five minutes, McBrearty scored the first goal of the afternoon when he concluded a flowing four-man move.
However, just a minute later, Carroll had goaled for the Magheragallon outfit, taking advantage of a mistake from Kilcar goalkeeper Kevin Campbell. And when the Donegal minor captain and Noel Kelly pointed again, Gaoth Dobhair were 1-3 to 1-2 in front.
However, Kilcar got their noses in front again when Sweeney goaled on nine minutes following link-up play from McHugh and Pauric Sweeney. Mark Sweeney’s score meant Kilcar were 2-3 to 1-3.
Points were traded at both ends, with Sweeney pointing again and McClean striking twice for the home team and James Carroll and Kelly, twice, on the mark for Gaoth Dobhair. So at half-time it was Kilcar who were ahead, 2-6 to 1-6.
A super 33rd minute goal from Matthew McClean, again after an excellent move, increased the Kilcar lead out to six. Aodhan McGinley and Michael Hegarty also got white flags waving in this third quarter, although Gaoth Dobhair showed their offensive capabilities as Michael Roarty, Odhran MacNiallais, Michael Carroll and Sean Boyle replied.
Eight minutes from time, Ryan McHugh drilled a piercing goal and when McBrearty followed that up with a point two minutes later, Kilcar looked safe with a 4-9 to 1-10 cushion.
Gaoth Dobhair did finish well but scores from Aidan Ferry and a MacNiallais brace weren’t enough to bridge the gap.
Kilcar: Kevin Campbell; Daniel Lyons, Barry Shovlin, Pauric Carr; Andrew McClean, Michael Hegarty (0-1), Cormac Cannon (0-1); Ciaran McGinley (0-1), Aodhan McGinley (0-1); Stephen McBrearty (1-1, 1f), Mark Sweeney (1-2), Ryan McHugh (1-0); Matthew McClean (1-2), Darragh O’Donnell, Pauric Sweeney. Subs: Eoin O’Donnell for Cannon (15).
Gaoth Dobhair: Joseph Duffy; Ciaran Ferry, Jamie Reynolds, Anthony Blair; Eamon McGee, Donal Curran, James Boyle; Michael Carroll (1-3), Odhran MacNiallais (0-3); James Carroll (0-1), James Gallagher, Paul Mulligan; Michael Roarty (0-1), Noel Kelly (0-3, 1f), Sean Boyle (0-1, 1f). Subs: Kevin McBride for Blair (half-time), Prionsas Gallagher for J Gallagher (42), Christopher Cannon for Boyle (50), Aidan Ferry (0-1) for Carroll (52).
Referee: Seamus McGonigle (Aodh Ruadh).
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