Letterkenny Gaels got their season back on course with a much needed victory against strong Urris opponents at Pairc na Gael on Saturday evening.
Letterkenny Gaels 3-10 Urris 2-11
Gaels could have netted in the opening minute but for some brave defending from full back Ciaran Kelly.
The Glebe men opened their account with a Conor Mcbrearty free on four minutes but Urris responded with a goal from Kevin McLaughlin and a good point from Oisín Hession.
Gaels levelled matters with points from McBrearty, Shay Doherty and Sean McDonagh before McLaughlin restored the lead for the visitors after eighteen minutes.
McBrearty was proving a handful for the Urris defence and after a good run his goal came in the twentieth minute.
Ryan Bradley and McLaughlin had points for the visitors while McBrearty and Shay Doherty scores completed the Gaels first half tally with great long range scores. Half time Gaels 1-6 Urris 1-4
Gaels manager Charlie Cannon made some changes at half time with McDonagh moving to defence but it was Urris who hit the front in the 32nd minute with a well finished goal from Hession.
The visitors failed to score for the next 20minutes as McDonagh and Ciaran Lynch began to take control at the back with some great turnovers.
The home team capitalised with four unanswered McBrearty points before Urris half back when Mickey Grant forged forward to hit a neat score in the 52nd minute.
Young Diarmuid Cahill, who was now tormenting the Urris defence, which led to further goals from midfielder Brendan O’Brien(53) and Shay Doherty (57).
Mark McLaughlin kept Urris in touch with points in the 54th and 55th minutes.
Urris introduced fresh legs in the closing stages and they finished strongly with points from Hession, M McLaughlin, Doherty and Alan Friel.
Gaels held on for a much needed and well deserved two league points
Letterkenny Gaels: A Stewart, K Kilkenny, J Doran, C Cullen, C Lynch,S Crossan, C Browne, B O’Brien (1-0), A Diver, S McDonagh (0-1), D Cahill, S Doherty (1-2), C McBrearty (1-7), P Doherty. Subs: N McGarrigle, J McGlynn.
Urris: P Harkin, D Grant, C Kelly, L Mullins, J McDaid, G Doherty, M Grant (0-1), P Doherty, J McCarron, B Doherty, R Bradley (0-1) O Hession (1-2), C Bradley, K McLaughlin (1-2), M McLaughlin (0-3). Sub: Alan Friel (0-1), A Doherty, J Doherty (0-1). P Devlin
Referee: A McAleer (Naomh Padraig, Muff)
