ST Eunan’s, Letterkenny had far too much power and panache for a game but outgunned Ardara in Ballybofey, winning their Donegal SFC preliminary quarter-final 2-11 to 0-5.
The winners, who will now play Naomh Conaill in a repeat of the 2022 decider, were on top in all departments and their well-organised defence kept Ardara to a mere two points in the second half.
Early points from Pauric Boyle, Aaron Deeney, Eoin Dowling, Anthony Gallagher and Eoin McGeehin helped St Eunan’s lead 0-9 to 0-3 at the break and late goals from Conor Morrison and Niall O’Donnell saw them ease into a last-eight clash with the reigning champions from Glenties.
The team Naomh Conaill beat in last year’s final, Gaoth Dobhair, had little trouble in disposing of Sean MacCumhaill’s 0-16 to 0-8 in Letterkenny.
The expected tight battle did not materialise with MacCumhaill’s badly missing the absent Joel Bradley Walsh and the vastly experienced Marty O’Reilly.
The winners were well on top in the opening half with Ethan Harkin, Daire Ó Baoill, Eamon Collum and Eoin De Búrca all on target.
Oisin Gallen replied with two points for MacCumhaill’s as Gaoth Dobhair eased to a 0-9 to 0-3 interval lead.
But the expected MacCumhaill’s comeback just did not happen as they tagged on five more points to their opponents’ tally of seven.
Gaoth Dobhair will meet Four Masters after the youthful Donegal town side came out on top against Killybegs, winning 0-8 to 0-4 in a turgid affair in Ardara.
The score was 0-2 to 0-1 in favour of Four Masters after a boring first half, with Conor Reid and Seanan Carr were on target for Masters while Evan Broderick replied for Killybegs.
The scoring rate increased in the second half as Four Masters enjoyed a purple patch and landed some fine points from Carr, Alex McCalmont and Aaron McCrea. Killybegs responded through Rory Colyer, Broderick and Jack McSharry but couldn’t close the gap.
Dungloe booked a quarter-final clash with Glenswilly after a narrow 1-7 to 0-8 win over 14-man Downings in Falcarragh.
On balance, Dessie Gallagher’s men deserved their win after playing into a stiff wind in the opening half.
Downings had early points from Johnny McGroddy, and Oisin Boyce, but the key score of the half came from Dungloe as Oisin Bonner found the net to put them into a 1-2 to 0-3 lead after 20 minutes.
While Downings hit back to lead 1-2 to 0-6 at the break, they lost centre-back Ronan Gallagher to a straight red cad.
Wind assisted Dungloe tagged on five points from Dylan Sweeney, Matthew Ward and Conor Greene, while Downings could only manage two points in the entire half.
Meanwhile, Aodh Ruadh and Glenfin preserved their senior championship status with victories over Cloughaneely and St Naul’s respectively. Aodh Ruadh won 2-15 to 0-9, while Glenfin beat St Naul’s 0-10 to 0-8.
Preliminary quarter-finals
St Eunan’s 2-11 Ardara 0-5
Four Masters 0-8 Killybegs 0-4
Dungloe 1-7 Downings 0-8, Gaoth Dobhair 0-16 Sean MacCumhaills 0-8
Quarter-finals
September 21-22 (TBC)
Naomh Conaill v St Eunan’s
Dungloe v Glenswilly
Kilcar v St Michael’s
Gaoth Dobhair v Four Masters
Relegation play-offs
Aodh Ruadh 2-15 Cloughaneely 0-9
Glenfin 0-10 St Naul’s 0-8
