A SOMEWHAT FORTUITOUS goal by Nathan Byrne in the last minute sealed a dramatic win for Naomh Conaill in the Under-15 Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta Tír Chonaill.
Naomh Conaill 1-7 Gaoth Dobhair 1-6
Gaoth Dobhair were two points up with time almost up when Byrne’s free in an awkward wind flew in for the home side at Davy Brennan Memorial Park in Glenties.
It was a popular victory for the competition hosts, although it was difficult not to feel some sympathy for the beaten finalists.
[adrotate group=”55″]At half-time it was 0-6 to 1-1 for Naomh Conaill, who conceded the first point of the day to Gaoth Dobhair’s Laim McFadden before striking back with five on the bounce.
Byrne hit two of those early scores, while Mark Burke, Leo Dunphy and Joe Smith also found their range. However, Stephen McFadden grabbed a goal for the team from Magheragallon before Naomh Conaill rounded off the first half scoring through Dunphy’s second free.
Donal McBride, Cathal Gallagher and Jamie Doherty all scored as conditions worsened to get Gaoth Dobhair back on terms at 0-7 to 1-4 and then Stephen McFadden popped over twice to put his side two in front.
That’s the way it looked like it was going to stay until the bitter end until Byrne’s goal won it for Naomh Conaill.
[adrotate group=”46″]Naomh Conaill: Jordan O’Donnell; Mark Campbell, Sean Roarty, Robbie O’Donnell; Neil Francis Boyle, Edward Moss, Aidan Gilroy; Nathan Byrne (1-2, 1-1f), Leo Dunphy (0-3, 2f); Mark Burke (0-1,1f), Adam Molloy, Jack Boyle; Daniel Gildea, Joseph Smith (0-1), Owen McCallig. Subs: Conor Roarty for D Gildea (59), David Rooge for McCallig (60).
Gaoth Dobhair: David Roberts; Eoin Burke, Rory Gallagher, Michael Doherty; Lochlann O’Dea, Roan Turc, Aidan Walsh; Dylan Dwyer, Fiachra Coyle; Liam McFadden (0-1), Cathal Gillespie (0-2), Stephen McFadden (1-2); Jamie Doherty (0-1), Eamon Gallagher, Donal McBride. Subs: Kyle Doogan for E Gallagher (43), Shaun McDaid for R Gallagher (60).
Referee: Eoghan Doherty (Naomh Columba).
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