BLAKE McGarvey scored six points and had a big hand in two goals as Cloughaneely proved too strong for Killybegs.
Cloughaneely 3-15 Killybegs 3-6
By Charlie Coillins at Pairc Naomh Fionnan
McGarvey had good support from Cillian Gallagher (0-3) and John Fitzgerald (2-3) as their team raced to victory in the second-half after two first-half goals had kept Killybegs in the game and the team’s level at the break.
The home team got off to a flying start and led by 1-4 to 1-0 after 16 minutes, Jack McSharry’s goal keeping Killybegs in touch.
McGarvey had given Cloughaneely an early lead and the lively Cillian Gallagher kicked three excellent scores.
McGarvey also did the spade work for the home team’s goal, leaving John Fitzgerald with a tap in from close range to leave it 1-4 to 1-0.
McGarvey and Darren Ferry added Cloughaneely points with Odhran McGuinness replying for Killybegs and the gap was five points in favoir of Cloughaneely.
But Killybegs hit back with an excellent goal by Conor Cunningham who blasted the ball to the roof of the net and Odhran McGuinness pointed to leave a point in it, 1-6 to 2-2.
Shaun Maguire made that two but points from McGuinness and Chris Mulligan left them level at the break, 1-7 to 2-4.
Two early Blake McGarvey points got Cloughaneely off to a good start to the second-half and Killybegs then lost Rory Coyler to a black card.
John Fitzgerald’s free extended the lead to three but Ryan Cunningham replied with a super point, 1-10 to 2-05 at the second water break.
Cloughaneely picked up the pace and were rewarded when Shaun Maguire was fouled and John Fitzgerald blasted home the resulting penalty.
Fitzgerald and Blake McGarvey added quick points and when sub Martin Maguire added another the lead was eight points, 2-13 to 2-5 and Killybegs had only scored once in the second-half.
Cloughaneely lost Conor Coyle to a second yellow card.
Jack McSharry and Blake McGarvey exchanged points and then McGarvey brilliantly won possession, raced at the defence, passed to John McGarvey who set up sub Michael McHugh to palm home, 3-14 to 2-6.
Killybegs were awarded a late penalty which Ryan Cunningham converted by it proved to be the last kick of the game as it ended 3-15 to 3-6 to Cloughaneely.
Cloughaneely: Shaun McClafferty; Noel Sweeney, Michael Fitzgerald, Cian McFadden; Ciaran McFadden, Lee O’Brien, James Coll; Mark Harley, Conor Coyle; Cillian Gallagher (0-3), Darren Ferry (0-1), Aidan Doohan; Blake McGarvey (0-6), John Fitzgerald (2-3, 2f), Shaun Maguire (0-1). Subs: Martin Maguire (0-1) for Ferry (40), Declan McGarvey for Coll (45), John McGarvey for S.Maguire (50), Michael McHugh (1-0), for Gallagher.
Killybegs: Corey Bryne; Cillian Gildea, Ciaran Conaghan, Owen Gallagher; Michael Callaghan, John Ban Gallagher, Ryan Carr; Rory Coyler, Jack McSharry (1-1); Odhran McGuiness (0-3), Shaun Gorrell, Ryan Cunningham (1-1, 1-0pen); Conor Cunningham (1-0), Paul Cunningham, Christopher Mulligan (0-1). Sub: Eoin McGing for O.Gallagher (20).
Referee: Marc Brown .
