St Eunan’s lift Donegal SHL title after victory over Burt 

St Eunan’s have been crowned Donegal SHL champions for the third time in five years.

Early goals laid the foundation for this comprehensive victory for the well-drilled Letterkenny lads over Burt in O’Donnell Park.

Having beaten Setanta last week, Eunan’s knew that a win would guarantee them the League title, and they did so with considerable comfort as their improved strength in depth showed.

But this one-sided affair was well over at the break as rampant Eunan’s led by 3-7 to 0-3. Cormac Finn opened the scoring with a point after three minutes and this was quickly followed by a Brendan Gaffey goal - a fine finish at the second attempt.

Thomas Crossan and, in the 6th minute, Cian Randles netted as Eunan’s led by 2-2 to 0-0 before Kieran Brady opened the scoring for the county champions with a point from a free.

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Randles, who was a constant threat, pointed, and Brendan Horgan goaled for the home side.Kieran Brady replied with a pointed free as Eunan’s led by 3-3 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter.

The scoring slowed a bit in the second quarter, with Sean Halvey and Finn getting plenty of possession, and Christy McDermott and James Donaghey prominent for Burt.

Pierce Glynn, Cian Randles, Gavin Forde, and a fine long-range effort from Oisin Randles pushed Eunan’s lead out to 3-7 to 0-3 at the break, with Brady replying with another pointed free.

Gavin Forde pointed, and Cian Randles hit the net with a skillful effort as Brady replied with two pointed frees on the resumption.

Forde hit two points, and David Horgan and Brendan Gaffey goaled for the winners.Brady then exchanged two points with Forde and Gaffey as the game drew to a close.

Johnny Lambe then beat a few defenders to raise a final green flag for the champions.Kyron McColgan closed the scoring with two pointed frees, with Eunan’s running out comfortable winners.

St Eunan’s scorers: Cian Randles 2-2; Brendan Gaffey 2-1, 1f; Gavin Forde 0-5, 3f; Brendan Horgan 1-0; David Horgan 1-0; Johnny Lambe 1-0; Pierce Glynn 0-1; Thomas Crossan; Oisin Randles; Cormac Finn 0-1 each.

Burt scorers: Kieran Brady 0-7, 6f; Kyron McColgan 0-2,2f.

St Eunan’s: Daire McBride; Sean Halvey, Conor McVeigh, James O’Donnell; Oisin Randles, Cormac Finn, Conor Neely; David Horgan, Conor Parke; Brendan Horgan, Pierce Glynn, Brendan Gaffey; Thomas Crossan, Cian Randles, Gavin Forde.

Subs used: Jordan Barr, Johnny Lambe, John McIntyre, and JP Curran.

Burt: Paul Burns; Adam Nelson, Christy McDermott, Michael Doherty; Pauric Curran, James Donaghey, Fiachra Gill; Dara Grant, Callum Porter; Patrick Curran, Jack Lavery, Kieran Brady; Kyron McColgan, Fionnan Gill, Michael Gill.

Subs used: Leo Doherty, Colm Toner.