Sean MacCumhaill's come out on top against St Eunan's in ‘C’ final

Sean MacCumhaill's are celebrating Donegal SFC ‘C’ success following Saturday afternoon’s final win over St Eunan's, in Pairc Naomh Columba, Glenswilly. 

Gary Willson kicked seven points including three first half two point frees while Martin Mbuli and Anthony Gallagher scored the goals for the Finnsiders. Mbuli, Paul Kelly and  Chris Gallen also were among the champions other point scorers.

Dualtach Molloy top scored for St Eunan's with six points. Donnachadh Devenney scored the St Eunan's goal while Thomas O’Donnell, John McIntyre and second half substitute Calvin Aidoo were also among the reigning champions’ scorers.

Sean MacCumhaill's, despite being under the cosh early, on laid the foundation in the opening half hour and led by seven points at half-time. 


The Kelly family in Glenswilly at the Senior C final with the cup named after the late Manus Kelly being won for the first time

Thomas O’Donnell kicked the game’s opening point after two minutes as St Eunan's got off to a bright start.

And the reigning champions despite the concession of an eight minute Sean MacCumhaill's’ goal were still 1-1 to 1-0  ahead at the end of the first quarter. And but for a combination of a number of poor wides and well organised MacCumhaill's defence they could have been further ahead. 

The one point lead, given the industry of Ryan Bradley, Lorcan Harvey, Dualtach Molloy, John McInyre and Donnacadh Devenney, was a poor reward for the amount of possession enjoyed in the opening quarter-hour.  

The MacCumhaill's goal came from a high Anthony Gallagher lob from way out on the right wing that dropped short and as the keeper competed in the air with a defender and attacker the ball was missed by all and somehow ended up with the green flag raised.

With St Eunan's unable to translate possession into scores MacCumhaill's grew in confidence and a  Gary Wilson two pointer free followed by a second MacCumhaill's goal brilliantly put away by full-forward Martin Mbuli, put them on their way.

The powerful Mbuli drove through the St Eunan's defence to smash to the roof of the St Eunan's net following good approach play from Gary Wilson and Brendan McLaughlin.

The goal on 21 minutes opened up a 2-2 to 1-1 MacCumhaill's lead. 

And Wilson, the current MacCumhaill's senior manager, landed two more two point frees to send the men from the Twin Towns in 2-6 to 1-2 at half-time. 

Dualtach Molloy kicked an early two point free for the St Eunan's in the second half but that was quickly cancelled out with white flags from Paul Kelly and Mbuli.

Molloy kicked four more points for St Eunan's and Calvin Aidoo also  raised a white with Wilson rolling back the years and Mbuli playing in a much deeper role in the second half MacCumhaill's kept the scoreboard ticking over. 

And they kept the men from O’Donnell Park at arm’s length and they ran out deserving winners and first holders of the Manus Kelly Cup. 

Sean MacCumhaill's: Daniel Crawford; John Lynch, Chrstopher Gallagher, Patrick Murphy; Kieran Barron, Carl Hughes, Brendan Heeney; Aidan Gillespie, Paul Kelly; Gavin Doherty, Gary Wilson, Conor Murphy; Brendan McLaughlin, Martin Mbuli, Anthony Gallagher. 

Subs: Christopher O’Donnell for D Crawford (h/t); Stephen Somerville for K Barron (h/t); Paddy McNulty for A Gillespie (h/t); Chris Gallen for A Gallagher (45); Sean Duffy for B Heeney (50); Seamus McGinty for M Mbuli (61). 

St Eunan's: Niall Forde; Harry Blake, Thomas Grant, Gavin McCarron; Cathal O’Donnell, Shane Ellison, Thomas O’Donnnell; Bryan Drum, Ryan Bradley; Lorcan Sharkey, Conal McGinley, Mark Galvin; John McIntyre, Dualtach Molly, Donnachadh Devenney.

Subs: Calvin Aidoo for C O’Donnell (43); Darragh Morrison for L Harvey (51); Patrick McGowan for D Devenney (63).

Referee: Pat Barrett (Milford).