Glenfin hold on to take the win away to neighbours Glenswilly

Glenfin held on for a hard fought two point win over neighbours Glenswilly at a sunny Páirc Naomh Columba on Sunday.

The visitors flew out of the blocks with an Odhran O’Connor goal and a two point free from Shaun Ward. 

Daithi Gildea hit 0-4 in the first half for the hosts while Donal Gallagher hit a late two pointer to trail by three at the break, 1-8 to 0-8. 

Another O'Connor goal and a third two pointer from Ward had them nine up, but Glenswilly hit back as Gildea equalled his first half tally, while Shane Tinney also added four in the second half to bring it back to the minimum.

But the final score fell for Aaron McGlynn who sealed the win for Frank McGlynn's men.

It was a perfect start for Glenfin as a Jason Morrow attempt dropped to Odhran O’Connor at the back post and he turned inside and out before firing a laces shot into the top corner. 

Glenswilly didn’t have the shooting boots on and had five efforts go wide or short in the first ten minutes, while Shaun Ward knocked over a two point free to increase the visitors’ lead. 

Daithi Gildea got the first score for Gary McDaid’s side on the counter after Mark Bonner made a vital tackle to stop Odhran McGlynn getting in for a goal, while Gildea kicked a second point from a free a minute later. 

O’Connor could have had a second goal, but he blasted over from the right while Ward converted another free brought forward. 

Shane Tinney curled over at the other end, although a Daniel Marley free and another chance at goal saw Tommy McNulty fire just over as Glenfin went six ahead. 

That deficit was soon halved as Mark Bonner kicked over just before a two pointer from Gildea.

And in the final two minutes, Ward added a two point free, but Donal Gallagher kicked over from outside the arc to leave it at 1-8 to 0-8 at half-time.

The second half started even better for Frank McGlynn’s men as they introduced county panellist Luke McGlynn who kicked an early free.

McGlynn then raced through the middle, finding Marley on the left and his shot was saved by Caolan Kelly, but the rebound fell to O’Connor who found the top corner. 

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Ward kicked another two point free for a nine point lead but a couple of Tinney scores and one from Kealan Dunleavy brought it back to six on the water break. 

And Glenfin began to miss the target, three efforts wide in-a-row including a goal chance for Luke McGlynn, while Gildea kicked a free and a two point free, although Ward cancelled that out with a fourth two point free of his own. 

Jamie McCauley’s effort after a quick free and a two point laces effort from Tinney set up a nervy ending and when Gildea made it a one point game just before the hour mark, possession was vital.

But as Dunleavy's effort dropped short and Glenfin stayed patient to finish off with an Aaron McGlynn score, they sealed the win.

Glenswilly scorers: Daithi Gildea 0-8, 2f, 1tpf, 1tp; Shane Tinney 0-5, 1tp, 1f; Donal Gallagher 0-2tp, Mark Bonner, Kealan Dunleavy and Jamie McCauley  0-1 each. 

Glenfin scorers: Shaun Ward 0-9, 4tpf, 1f; Odhran O’Connor 2-1; Tommy McNulty 0-1; Aaron McGlynn 0-1; Daniel Marley and Luke McGlynn 0-1f each.

Glenswilly: Caolan Kelly; Oisin McDaid, Jake Kelly, Liam McGinley; Donal Gallagher, Sean Collum, Cormac Callaghan; Mark Bonner, Jamie McCauley; Oisin McGrenra, Reid Kelly, Pauric Devine; Shane Tinney, Daithi Gildea, Conor Kelly. 

Subs: Kealan Dunleavy for O McDaid (ht); Oisin Crawford for O McGrenra (36); Cillian Bonner for C Kelly (41); Gary McFadden for R Kelly (50); Kealan McFadden for Devine (58).

Glenfin: Andrew Walsh; Martin O’Donnell, John Harkin, Ross Ó Mearlaigh; Jack Long, Daniel McGlynn, Odhran McGlynn; Jason Morrow, Stephen Ward; Daniel Marley, Shaun Ward, Tommy McNulty; Odhran O’Connor, Gerard Ward, Daire Quigley. 

Subs: Luke McGlynn and Aaron McGlynn for G Ward and Stephen Ward (ht), Oisin McGlynn for Quigley (39), Seaghan McCormick for D Marley (50).

Referee: Jimmy White (Killybegs)