Carndonagh CS into Markey Cup final after win against Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair

Cardonagh CS are looking forward to an Ulster  Schools Markey Cup final following this afternoon’s dramatic semi-final win over Pobalscoil Gaoth Dobhair at a bitterly cold Magheragallon.

The last four meeting was initially fixed for the Donegal Training Centre  in Convoy, but was moved to Magheragallon following the toss of a coin when the Convoy venue was unplayable.

But the north Inishowen made light work of the two hour trip to claim the spoils and a place in the Markey final on Friday night against St Ciaran’s, Ballygawley.

Danny Og Cooney, Tiernan Diver and Dylan Doherty scored the goals for the winners with full forward Cooney netting three of the goals. 

The first came from the penalty spot inside the opening minute after he was hauled down in the Gaoth Dobhair large rectangle for a dream start for the Carndonagh boys. 

And the Urris clubman, Cooney who is in Karl Lacey’s Donegal minor squad, landed his second three point score two minutes from the end of the opening half hour.

Cooney’s second goal restored his side’s lead after Pobalscoil, who despite playing into the breeze, had outscored the opposition by five points to one in 25 minutes after Carndonagh’s opening green flag. Brian MacPhaidín (2), Michael Mac Aoidh and Tadgh O’Baoill scored the Gaoth Dobhair points to lead 0-4 to 1-0, eleven minutes into the game. 

Joe Doherty, who was a powerhouse in the middle of the field for Carndonagh, and Tadgh O’Baoill traded points for 1-2 to 0-5 before Conney’s goal restored Carndonagh’s two point advantage. Carndonagh led by 2-3 to 0-6 at half-time. 

Two quick fire points scored by Donnacha Callaghan and Callum Kelly pushed the Carndonagh lead out to five  points for the first time in the early minutes of the second period. 

Pobalscoil with points from John Paul Gallagher, including a two free; MacPaidin and Michael MacSuibhne trimmed the Carndonagh advantage by to a point.

But a third goal punched home by full-back Tiernan Diver after a sweeping move propelled the Carndonagh boys four up again with a little over a quarter hour remaining. John Paul Gallagher with the second of his two pointers kept the game alive and Gallagher forced extra-time with another late two point free. 

Carndonagh dominated the opening period of the additional time and thanks to two more goals scored by second half substitute Dylan Doherty and Cooney set the Inishowen men on their way.

They led 5-9 to 0-15 at the end of the first period of extra-time. Pobalscoil pulled back a goal and a couple of points in the second period of extra-time before Joe Doherty capped a big performance with two late points.

Tempers frayed in the closing seconds and an ugly melee broke out involving a number of players and substitutes which resulted in referee Declan Callaghan flashing three red cards before blowing the final whistle.

Carndonagh’s Ronan McLaughlin and unused Carndonagh substitute Ollie Coyle were shown straight red cards and Gaoth Dobhair’s Joey Coll was also shown a second yellow card followed by a red. 

The flareup was an isolated incident at the end of another sporting game. 

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Carndonagh C.S scorers: Danny Og Cooney 3-2, 1-0 pen, Joe Doherty 0-4,1tp, Tiernan Diver, Dylan Doherty 1-0 each, Donnacha Callaghan, Callum Kelly 0-2 each, Hugh McGinn 0-1.

Pobalscoil Gaoth Dobhair: John Paul Gallagher 0-7, 3tpf,1f, Brian MacPhaidín 1-3, Michael MacSuibhne 0-2 tpf, Charlie O’Dochartaigh 0-2, tp,Joey Coll, Michael Mac Aoidh 0-1.   

Carndonagh CS: Sam Coyle; Ronan McLaughlin, Tiernan Diver, Niall O’Donnell; Hugh McGinn, Senan Grant, Odhran Douglas; Sonny Bonner, Joe Doherty; Mark McLaughlin, Patrick Doherty, Conor McColgan; Donnacha O Callaghan, Danny Og Mooney, Callum Kelly.

Subs: Dylan Doherty for C McColgan (h/t); Thomas McGeoghegan for M McLaughlin (52). 

Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair: Daire O Rabhartaigh; Jamie O’Gallchóir, Corrthagh O Dochartaigh, Owen Martin Mac Aoidh; Charlie O Gallchóir, Alan Gallchóir, Cian hEigeartaigh; Patrick Pearse Gallchóir, Cathal MacAoidh; John Paul O Gallchóir; Michael MacAoidh, Joey O Coll; Brian MacPhaidin, Tadgh O Baoill, Michael MacSuibhne.

Subs: Adam Mac Giolla Bhride for C Eigeartaigh (h/t); Jamie  Mac Iomhair (50). 

Referee: Declan Callaghan (Kilcar)