GOALS BY James McBride and Martin McBride brought glory to Downings in the Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure Junior B final this afternoon.
Downings 2-8 Letterkenny Gaels 0-9
It is a second Junior B success for Downings, adding to their triumph in 2009 and comes 12 months after they lost to St Eunan’s in the decider.
There was never much doubt about this one, bar a brief spell in the second half when Letterkenny Gaels – searching for that elusive first senior title, 20 years from their formation – came roaring back.
[adrotate group=”83″]At one stage, they had the gap narrowed to three, but when Martin McBride fired home it was game, set and match.
The Downings team contained two members of Rory Gallagher’s backroom team and Maxi Curran, a selector with the Donegal senior panel, was to the fore, particularly in the first half, while Barry McBride, one of Donegal’s kitmen, was also on the victorious panel at O’Donnell Park.
It took some time for this game to catch fire, but Downings laid the foundations late in the first half.
[adrotate group=”85″]With Downings 0-5 to 0-2 ahead in added time at the end of the opening period, they put daylight between the sides when captain James McBride hit the net after Curran laid on the assist.
Curran scored two points and was at the hub of his side’s attack in a lively outing.
That goal was just the ticket for Downings, who stretched the lead through Brian Boyce early in the second half.
[adrotate group=”53″]But Letterkenny Gaels hit back and marched themselves right back into the game with Charlie Creevy’s two frees and scores from Niall McManus and Alan Harrington had them within three.
Downings settled again and sub Martin McBride scored 1-1, slamming to the net in the 48th minute after Martin Cullen and Shane McClafferty did the spadework.
Joe Friel put Letterkenny Gaels into the lead after seven minutes, but Downings shook the sleep from their eyes after Curran cleverly engineered an opening to kick his team level on 17 minutes.
[adrotate group=”70″]It took the Rosguill men until then to get on the mark, although McClafferty saw a previous effort come off an upright.
Curran drew Downings level and two frees by Chris Carr edged the team managed by Francie McHigh and John Byrne into the lead.
There was never much to separate the sides and the Gaels got a score back when, after Aaron Stewart was felled following a strong burst deep into Downings territory, Alan Harrington popped over the free.
[adrotate group=”76″]McClafferty restored a two-point lead, neatly converting after a John Doherty attempt from 30 metres almost caught Gaels goalkeeper Stephen Doherty out. The midfielder’s shot came off the top of the crossbar, but into the arms of McClafferty, who pointed.
Curran soared over as Downings recycled when Martin Cullen’s shot was blocked down by full-back Bobby Carey.
Gaels had their moments, but Downings saw it out to claim the silverware again and keep the Glebe men still searching for a senior breakthrough in championship football.
Downings: Brendan McGee; Ciaran McTeague, Marty McLaughlin, Conor Shiels; Gerard McGee, Hugo Davis, Brian Boyce (0-1); Chris Carr (0-2, 2f), John Doherty (0-1); Barry McBride, Maxi Curran (0-2), Martin Cullen; Luke McBride, Shane McClafferty (0-1), James McBride (1-0). Subs: Eric Roberts for B.McBride (38), Martin McBride (1-1) for L.McBride (38), Naoise Cullen for McGee (42), Paul Coyle for Curran (54), Seamus McLaughlin for Doherty (59), Patrick McGeever for Cullen (60).
Letterkenny Gaels: Stephen Doherty; Aaron Diver, Bobby Carey, Anthony McDaid; Aaron Stewart, Tommy Daly, Eoin Kelly; Shane Gildea, Declan McFadden (0-1); James McGlynn, Oisin Cannon, Charlie Creevy (0-2, 2f); Joe Friel (0-2), Alan Harrington (0-2, 2f), Aidan Hanley. Subs: Noel Gildea for Daly (30), Niall McManus (0-1) for Hanley (half-time), Ger Gibbons (0-1) for S.Gildea (46), Paul McKenna for Harrinton (54).
Referee: Marc Brown (Four Masters).
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