Four Masters 3-9 Gaoth Dobhair 1-7
Fabulous Four Masters pulled off the shock of the weekend with this great win over last year’s beaten finalists Gaoth Dobhair in Tír Chonaill Park.
And, Kevin Sinclair’s youthful charges were not flattered in the slightest by the winning margin, which sends out a huge statement that last year’s Division Two champions can compete at a higher level.
They were well worth their half-time wind-assisted lead of 1-4 to 0-4, the goal coming from Seanan Carr and Joe Reape and Conor Reid landing points.
A somewhat lethargic Gaoth Dobhair responded with points from Domhnall Mac Giolla Bríde, Aodhan Breathnach and Danny Curran.
Cookstown joint-manager Jason Quinn doesn’t underestimate the challenge of Four Masters in the Ulster semi-final
“It was tough on my mum and dad. I knew I was self-destructing. And I also knew the next phase of that, if I had carried on, it was not being here. I was in a very dark place...” - the life and times of Caolan Mooney
The visitors had the breeze in the second half but could only manage a total of 1-3, a disappointing return.
In contrast, Masters tagged on 2-5, their goals coming from the athletic Killian Faulkner and speed merchant Alex McCalmont.
Daire O’Baoill hit a late penaly for Gaoth Dobhair, who could never get closer than within three points of their opponents.
McCalmon and Richard O’Rourke were constant threats to an overworked Gaoth Dobhair defence.
Ethan Harkin was among the few Gaoth Dobhair forwards to shine against a very well-drilled Donegal Town defence, whose recent underage successes are starting to bear fruit.
Sean Mac Cumhaill’s 3-15 Ardara 0-13
Sean MacCumhaill’s may have lost Oisin Gallen through injury and had Luke Gavigan red-carded, but they still had far too much power and panache for Ardara in Ballybofey.
Gallen only lasted three minutes but had already goaled as his side raced to an eight-point lead at half-time, with Jamie Keegan grabbing the second goal.
For Adara, Niall Crossan hit 0-7 while Joel Bradley Walsh landed 0-7 for the home side.
Cian Mulligan got their third goal to seal a comprehensive victory.
But there could be some concern over the extent of Gallen’s injury for last year’s county semi-finalists.
Aodh Ruadh 1-13 Downings 0-14
A palmed goal from wing-back Colm McGloin was the crucial score for Aodh Ruadh at a blustery Fr Tierney Park in Ballyshannon.
McGloin got on the end of a six-man move, with Jack Gallagher’s effort coming off the post and McGloin palming to the Downings net in the 40th minute. That put the home side into a 1-11 to 0-9 lead playing into a stiff breeze after they led by 0-9 to 0-7 at the break.
Downings rallied in the final quarter but just came up short in a tie where Aodh Ruadh missed four goals and Downings had three late wides as time ran out.
Cloughaneely 0-4 Naomh Conaill 3-14
Depleted county champions Naomh Conaill showed their strength in depth in this impressive victory over Cloughaneely in Falcarragh.
The winners were superior in all departments and were not flattered by their half-time lead of 1-8 to 0-3, the goal a brilliantly worked move that ended with veteran Brendan McDyer palming the ball to the net.
Charles McGuinness grabbed the two second-half goals as Dermott Molloy landed a number of points.
For Cloughaneely, veteran Shaun Maguire hit 0-3 on an afternoon when they were overwhelmed by the power and pace of the visitors, who scored all of their total from play.
St Naul’s 0-8 Glenswilly 2-14
Magical Michael Murphy inspired Glenswilly to a comprehensive and well- deserved win over a somewhat depleted St Naul’s in Mountcharles.
The towering full-forward hit 1-5, including a wonderful goal seven minutes into the second half, when he took down a high ball in one hand and volleyed the leather to the net to put the winners into a 1-10 to 0-3 lead.
They had led by 0-8 to 0-2 at the break.
Kealan Dunleavy got Glenswilly’s second goal five minutes from time.
Peadar Mogan tried hard for a badly outgunned home side but they were no match for Murphy and the Glen.
St Eunan’s 2-12 Kilcar 0-9
Niall O’Donnell was in top form for rampant St Eunan’s, who easily dealt with the challenge of a depleted Kilcar side at O’Donnell Park.
The county star hit 2-1 in an impressive display by the home side who were well worth their half-time lead of 1-7 to 0-2.
It did not get any better for Kilcar on the resumption, even though their scoring rate improved.
O’Donnell missed a penalty, which was saved by Kilcar keeper Eoin O’Donnell, but found the net again 10 minutes from time to seal a comfortable win.
Paddy McBrearty supplied the bulk of Kilcar’s scores.
St Michael’s 1-12 Killybegs 2-5
St Michael’s picked up two precious points in blustery conditions at The Bridge.
They played into a strong wind in the opening half and turned over with a 1-5 to 1-3 lead at the break, their goal a swift reply from Carlos O’Reilly to a fifth-minute goal from Rory Colyer.
The home side tacked on 0-7 in the second half, but a Paul Cunningham goal tied matters at St Michael’s 1-7 Killybegs 2-4 by the 43rd minute.
But three points on the spin from Colin McFadden and Eddie O’Reilly got the home side back on track for victory.
Glenfin 1-7 Dungloe 1-11
A powerful third quarter saw visitors Dungloe surge to an impressive victory over Glenfin in Pairc Taobhóige.
Glenfin raced into a 1-4 to 0-2 lead by the 15th minute thanks to a Daniel Marley goal with points coming from Luke McGlynn, Mark McGinty and Odhran O’Connor.
Darren Curran hit back with a Dungloe goal with Oisin Bonner and Ryan Connors pointing as the home side led by 1-5 to 1-2 at the break.
But Dungloe hit six points on the trot to lead by 1-8 to 1-5.
And they outscored the home side by 0-3 to 0-2 to seal a fine away.
