KILCAR MOVED THROUGH the gears to become the first team into the Donegal SFC semi-finals.
Kilcar 3-13 Four Masters 0-08
Ryan McHugh bagged the opening goal on 21 minutes to give Kilcar a 1-3 to 0-3 half-time lead against plucky Four Masters at Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park in Killybegs.
Photo caption: Caolan Loughney of Four Masters gets to the ball ahead of Kilcar’s Ciaran McGinley in this afternoon’s RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta SFC quarter-final at Fintra. Photo: Charlie O’Donnell
Andrew McClean and Stephen McBrearty added majors in the second half as Michael Molloy’s team moved into the last four with ever having to really over-exert themselves.
Four Masters had promised to make a fight of it and, while the Tir Chonaill Park side did battle to the last, they have been left depleted by a succession of departures from the club with the likes of Paul Durcan, Luke Keaney, Raymie McGroary, Jamie McCrea, Peadar Espey, Conor Rooney and Conor McMonagle no longer available for selection.
Although Barry Monaghan – until his withdrawal because of a black card in the 43rd minute – Barry Dunnion and Karl Lacey admirably flew the flag, slick proved much too strong in the second half.
The opening goal arrived in the 21st minute and it was Ryan McHugh at his devastating best. Picking the ball up around 60 metres from the Four Masters goal, McHugh went right for their heart.
After playing a one-two with Ciaran McGinley to open up the possibilities, McHugh magnificently picked his spot in the top corner and made no mistake with a pin-point finish beyond ‘keeper Ryan Haughey.
Kilcar appeared comfortable without ever hitting the high gears but at the interval only McHugh’s goal was between them as midfielder Leo McHugh landed a brilliant point from the right flank.
McHugh turned provider for goal number two in the 38th minute with McClean hammering in from close range.
McBrearty wonderfully fired home the third seven minutes later. It was a display that further added to McBrearty’s promise as the 19-year-old gave a controlling display at centre-forward that yielded 1-5 and he seems certain to get a call from Rory Gallagher, the Donegal senior manager.
Four Masters had eleven wides to their name in the opening half-an-hour although, to be fair to the Donegal town outfit, many of those were long balls into the edge of the square that were a little over cooked.
They had stayed in touch until McHugh buried the goal nine minutes before half-time.
The timeless Barry Monaghan sailed over a majestic score from 45 metres after Patrick McBrearty slotted over a third-minute free.
Kilcar threatened to break clear, but Haughey saved from Conor Doherty after Michael Hegarty, Mark Sweeney and the McBreartys worked the chance.
Sweeney and Patrick McBrearty put Kilcar two in front only for Dylan Ward to reduce the arrears.
Kilcar captain Ryan McHugh, Four Masters skipper Josh Lacey and the match officials, headed by referee Liam McConigley in Killybegs this afternoon. Photo: Charlie O’Donnell
Matthew McClean stabbed at a loose ball after Stephen McBrearty’s free dropped short, while Sweeney drilled wide when in a promising position.
Four Masters were behind 1-3 to 0-3 at the break and they breathed a sigh of relief when Mark McHugh broke the dam in the opening minute of part two, but pulled his shot wide of the target.
Eoin McHugh’s groin strain failed to heal sufficiently in time for the game with the Donegal senior panellist acting as Maor Uisce for the Towney team.
Michael Doherty’s free gave Four Masters faint hope with the first score of the second half, but Kilcar soon put the doubts to bed as McClean batted home goal number two.
McBrearty notched the third and Four Masters’ mountain was stiffer still when Monaghan was black carded seventeen minutes from time.
It became the stuff of exhibition by the end and the closing chapter was certainly an ordeal for Four Masters with Hegarty, Ciaran McGinley, Patrick and Stephen McBrearty – the game’s outstanding performer – scoring at will to move them menacingly toward the penultimate hurdle.
Kilcar: Kevin Campbell; Daniel Lyons, Barry Shovlin, Pauric Carr; Andrew McClean (1-0), Mark McHugh, Ryan McHugh (1-1); Michael Hegarty (0-1), Ciaran McGinley (0-1); Aodhán McGinley, Stephen McBrearty (1-5, 1f), Mark Sweeney (0-1); Matthew McClean, Conor Doherty, Patrick McBrearty (0-4, 2f). Subs: Cormac Cannon for M.McClean (54), James Cunningham for A.McGinley (57).
Four Masters: Ryan Haughey; Dylan Kennedy, Dáire Quinn, Barry Dunnion; Sean O’Kennedy (0-1), Kevin Breslin, Josh Lacey; Barry Monaghan (0-1), Leo McHugh (0-1); Karl Lacey, Michael Doherty (0-1, 1f), Caolan Loughney (0-2); Dillon Muldoon, Kevin McBrearty, Dylan Ward (0-2). Subs: Sean Meehan for McBrearty (41), Jason Duignan for Monaghan (black card, 43), Emmett Doogan for J.Lacey (52).
Referee: Liam McConigley (Downings).
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