Fanad United overcame local rivals Swilly Rovers 3-1 in a hard fought game played at a bitterly cold Traigh-a-Loch.
Fanad United 3 Swilly Rovers 1
Fanad played with the aid of the wind in the first half and attacked from the start and took the lead in the 8th minute.
Edward O’Reilly’s superb bicycle kick in the box produced and excellent save from Gareth Muldoon, but when the ball was played back in Ryan McFadden was on hand to fire home from close range.
Fanad continued to press and on 20 minutes Muldoon produced another fine save to deny Edward O’Reilly.
Fanad then extended their lead in the 35th minute. Edward O’Reilly was again involved when his shot was blocked the rebound fell to Keelin McElwaine who made no mistake.
On the stroke of half time Aaron Rogan produced a fine turn in the Fanad box but his curling effort was saved by Sean McCafferty
Swilly had the breeze at their backs in the second half and enjoyed some good spells of pressure.
Swilly Rovers
With five minutes gone, Eoin Logue just failed to make good contact with his shot and it was easily saved by McCafferty.
Swilly’s pressure told in the 65th when they got a goal back. Eoin Logue done well win possession at the edge of the box and his pass found Marty McDaid who cooly slotted the ball into the corner of the net.
Two minutes later Edward O’Reilly broke down the left and when he surged into box his angled shot produced a full length save from Muldoon.
In the 80th minute, Muldoon was again called into action when he produced two outstanding saves in quick succession to deny Paul Bradley and Keelin McElwaine.
With four minutes to go Swilly missed a gilt edged chance to equalise when David Fisher just failed to make full contact with a shot from a corner and it was easily saved by McCafferty.
As the game ran into injury time Fanad got the insurance goal. Paul Bradley went on a run down the left and his pull back found Marty McAteer who curled a lovely shot into the top corner.
Fanad United: Sean McCafferty, Declan McGarvey, Peter Curran, Patrick McGinley, Seamus Friel, Paul Bradley, Ryan McFadden, Dean McCarry, Michael Cannon, Keelin McElwaine, Edward O’Reilly. Subs used: Oisin Langan, Marty McAteer, James Gallagher
Swilly Rovers: Gareth Muldoon, Ryan McDaid, Shaun Crossan, David Fisher, Tony Gallagher, Shay Durning, Frankie McBrearty, Aaron Rogan, Marty McDaid, Eoin Logue, Ryan Cleare. Sub used: Jack McCalvey
Referee: Vincent McLaughlin
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