Kilcar crowned U-21 C champions with a narrow win over Red Hughs

Kilcar are celebrating Donegal Under-21 C championship success following Saturday afternoon’s narrow final win at a windy Fr Tierney Park in Ballyshannon.

A storming second half performance from the young men from Towney saw them crowned champions after coming in from four points down at half-time. 

Their comeback was driven by big performances from Michael Gallagher, Liam McLaughlin and Jack Hegarty, while Ben Rafferty’s goal was a crucial score.

The goal on 44 minutes from the boot of the captain proved to be the defining score of an evenly contested final in difficult conditions. 

Shortly after the goal and Jack Hegarty’s long range point, Kilcar went ahead for the first time in the game.

And while Cathair Browne tied up the game for the third time shortly after, Hegarty left his mark on the game as he added two more long range points to kick his side into a two point lead and on their way to a seventh U21 title.

Red Hughs, thanks to two points each off the boots of Cathair Browne and Ryley Stewart and one each from Conor Gallagher and Liam  Rushe, led by four points 0-7 to 0-3, at half-time. 

The men from the Cross, powered by the towering Conor Gallagher in the middle of the field and Ryan McConnell, James Doherty and Liam Carlin in the attack, were full value for the four point margin after dominating most of the first half possession.

Michael Gallagher from play and two frees from Ben Rafferty late in the half got the Kilcar points. 

Red Hughs began on the front foot and dominated to race into an 0-5 to 0-1 lead by the early minutes of the second quarter.

Gallagher, with a good individual score, kicked Kilcar’s point six minutes into the game in what was their first attack.

Kilcar came more into the game in the second quarter, and Daniel Byrne was denied a goal by a good save from Tom McMenamin before skipper Rafferty converted from a 20 metre free.

Red Hughs were now down to 14 after fullback Cathal McMenamin picked up a black card for a late challenge.

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But despite being down a man, Red Hughs hit two points to Kilcar’s one to take the four point lead to the dressing room at the halfway mark.

Ciaran O’Donnell drew an early point blank save from McMenamin before shortly after he landed the opening point of the second period to cut the Red Hugh’s lead to three points.

Michael Gallagher, who stepped up in the middle of the park, was fouled as he bore down on the Red Hughs goals, and referee Charlie Creevey pointed to the penalty spot.

Thomas McMenamin got down to his left to bat away Ben Rafferty’s strike, but unfortunately for Red Hughs, Rafferty followed up and tapped home to tie up the game at 1-4 to 0-7 in the opening six minutes.

Jack Hegarty, with the first of his three points, edged Gary O’Reilly’s men ahead with a quarter of an hour to go.

But seconds later it was all square again after Cathair Browne played a quick one-two with Ryan McConnell, to point for Red Hughs.

But with Liam McLaughlin and Jack Hegarty storming into the game, Hegarty closed out the game with two late points to one from Conor Gallagher.

Browne had a late chance for Red Hughs, but he fisted wide from close range. 

Kilcar scorers: Ben Rafferty 1-2, 2f; Jack Hegarty 0-3; Michael Gallagher and Ciaran O’Donnell 0-1 each.

Red Hughs; Cathair Browne 0-3,1f; Ryley Stewart 0-2; Liam Carlin, Conor Gallagher and Killian Rushe 0-1 each.

Red Hughs; Tom McMenamin; Caolan Burns, Cathal McMenamin, Ronan McLaughlin; Killian Rushe, Conor Galvin, Adam Doherty; James Doherty, Conor Gallagher; Liam Carlin, Cathair Browne, Ryley Stewart; Bryan Irwin; Ryan McConnell, Oisin Muldoon.

Sub: Oisin Coyle for K Rushe  (49).

Kilcar; Piaris O’Donnell; Karl Lyons, Eamon Byrne, Karl Lyons, Oisin McShane; Hugh O’Donnell, Eamon Byrne, Micheal O’Donnell, Liam McLaughlin; Ben Rafferty, Michael Gallagher; Ciaran Love, Jack Hegarty, Daniel Byrne; Ronan Haughey, Charles Byrne, Ciaran O’Donnell.

Subs: Corey O’Donnell for O McShane (55).

Referee: Charlie Creevy (Letterkenny Gaels).