Gaoth Dobhair power their way past Kilcar to senior semi-final

Gaoth Dobhair put on an impressive display to overcome Kilcar in the quarter-final of the Michael Murphy Senior Championship in Davy Brennan Park, Glenties and put themselves very much in the picture for the Dr Maguire Cup.

After a lightning opening from Kilcar, Gaoth Dobhair were able to control a great part of the game and went five up in the second half. Kilcar, to their credit,  pushed to the end with a Patrick McBrearty goal adding to an exciting final few minutes. But in the end Gaoth Dobhair sealed the win with a magnificent two pointer from Micheal Roarty.

Roarty was part of a magnificent half-forward line that worked like beavers while Odhran Mac Niallais rolled back the years with a masterful display around the middle.

Kilcar got off to a whirlwind start with a point from Ciaran McGinley on 10 seconds and they should have had a goal seconds later when Patrick  McBrearty got through but somehow managed to fire wide from point blank range.

By the ninth minute Kilcar were six ahead with a brace of two pointers from Matthew McClean and another from Patrick McBrearty.

Gaoth Dobhair began to get control around the middle with Odhran Mac Niallais in the playmaker role. They halved the lead by the 15th minute with Eamon Collum pointing and Ethan Harkin hitting two, one free.

Ryan McHugh extended the Kilcar lead but it was Gaoth Dobhair who were pushing and they added three more points before the break from Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride, Eoin de Burca and Eamon Collum.

Half-time: Kilcar 0-7, Gaoth Dobhair 0-6.

With the elements at their back Fionna Coyle had Gaoth Dobhair level on the 35th minute. Ethan Harkin then edged Gaoth Dobhair in front for the first time and he then hit a two point free to open a three point gap.

Matthew McClean cut the lead but Harkin stepped up again with another two pointer and a 0-12 to 0-8 lead after 51 minutes.

Kilcar did have a goal chance when Stephen McBrearty turned a ball over at midfield and then drove forward to play a one-two with Patrick but Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride made a great stop at the expense of a ‘45’.

Ryan McHugh cut the lead but Fionnan Coyle and Harkin (free) had the lead out to five on 55 minutes.

But Kilcar refused to throw in the towel and they were back in the contest when Patrick McBrearty got on the end of a high ball from his brother Stephen and he fired to the net. Ryan McHugh added a point as the lead was down to the minimum.

But up stepped Micheal Roarty to hit a two pointer and clinch Gaoth Dobhair's place in the semi-final. The Magheragallon men were able to call on veteran Neil McGee in the final minutes of the contest.

Kilcar bowed out in Davy Brennan Park last year to St Michael's but this time they did put up a good fight but on the night Gaoth Dobhair were just about deserving winners.

Scorers for Gaoth Dobhair: Ethan Harkin 0-8,1tp,1tpf,2f; Fionnan Coyle, Micheal Roarty (tp), Eamonn Collum 0-2 each; Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride, Eoin de Burca 0-1 each.

Kilcar scorers: Patrick McBrearty 1-1; Matthew McClean 0-5,2tp; Ryan McHugh 0-3; Ciaran McGinley 0-1.

Gaoth Dobhair: Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride; Neasan Mac Giolla Bhride, Gary McFadden, Eamonn Mac Giolla Bhride; Aodhan Breathnach, Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride, Ethan Harkin; Stephen McFadden, Peter McGee; Fionnan Coyle, Dáire Ó Baoill, Micheal Roarty; Eoin de Burca, Odhran Mac Niallais, Eamon Collum.

Subs: Adam McGeever for P McGee; Seaghan Ferry for S McFadden; Cathal Rua Gallagher for A Breathnach; Cathal Gillespie for E de Burca; Neil McGee for E Mac Giolla Bhride.

Kilcar: Eoin O'Donnell; Barry McGinley, Eoin Cormack, Gary Molloy; Ryan McHugh, Ryan McShane, Brian O'Donnell; Mark McHugh,  Ciaran McGinley; Andrew McClean, Conor Doherty,  Matthew McClean; Ryan O'Donnell, Patrick McBrearty, Stephen McBrearty.

Subs: Eoin McHugh for B McGinley; Seanie Boyle for R O'Donnell; Pauric Carr for M McClean.

Referee: Enda McFeely (Convoy)