Glenswilly get over the line in close affair with Aodh Ruadh in Ballyshannon

It was a hard-hitting affair in Father Tierney Park on Sunday afternoon as Glenswilly just about did enough to claim the win. Aodh Ruadh took control of the game early on to go into a 1-5 to 0-2 lead by the 22nd minute, but Glenswilly turned that around to go in leading by a point at the break. In the second half the Ernesiders managed to level the game twice, but Glenswilly were always able to find a quick response and towards the end, luck was on their side as a series of Aodh Ruadh two point efforts sailed just either side of the uprights.

The game got off to a bad start for the homesters with Shane Delahunty getting a black card with just a minute and 20 seconds played. However, they quickly shook that out of their system, with Jack Gallagher creating and executing a lovely score.

Sean Collum levelled a minute later before Ballyshannon again edged in front. Jack Gallagher won a difficult ball in before bustling past his man and hammering over the bar.

Gary Kelly quickly had it all square again, but the Ernesiders had the bit between their teeth now. Jack Gallagher looked like he might have been pulled on the way in on goal, but the ball was worked back out to David Dolan and he pointed.

Shortly after Shane Delahunty was back in and he made some impact on his return. He sent a beautiful ball into Jack Gallagher who won and held it up well before laying off to Delahunty to palm emphatically to the back of the net.

As the game moved into the second quarter Darren Drummond drew a phenomenal save from Donnacha Gallagher who somehow got a leg out to deny Drummond's goal bound shot. However, Jack Gallagher converted the 45 to put five points between them.

Then Eamon McGrath was fouled just outside the arc and Jack Gallagher thundered over the placed ball opportunity.

That spurred Glenswilly into action as Aodh Ruadh started to switch off a bit in defence. The visitors took full advantage with Mark Bonner driving through and slamming to the net.

Mark Collum then followed that with a soaring two pointer from the Aras side to cut the deficit to just a point. Points from Jack Gallagher and Daithi Gildea then edged Glenswilly in front for the first time.

Jack Gallagher won a free for Ballyshannon which he pointed from the 20 metre line, but just before the break Daithi Gildea tapped over a close range free to send Glenswilly in leading by the minimum, 1-7 to 1-6

The sides went score for score at the start of the second half, a Damian Weber free quickly cancelled out by a point from Matthew Enright. Weber thrust the Ernesiders back into the lead with a super two pointer in the 36th minute, but that didn't last long with Glenswilly driving right up the pitch and Daithi Gildea showing great technique to beat Peter Boyle.

A point from Kealan Dunleavey stretched the lead out to a goal in the 42nd minute. Jack Gallagher and Dunleavey then exchanged points as Glenswilly looked to be taking charge of the game.

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Their momentum was rudely disrupted by a rapid counter attack move by Aodh Ruadh which Matt Gillespie finished to the net to make it a level game once against, 2-10 apiece.

Once again though it was Glenswilly who reclaimed the impetus, Eoghan Scott firing over a beautifully struck two point free.

Jack Gallagher and Gary Kelly swapped points in the 52nd minute and from there to the final whistle Aodh Ruadh dominated possession. They attempted four successive two point shots in that period as they fought desperately to level the game up again, but none of them found their mark.

Two minutes from time Mark Bonner walked on a second yellow, but by that stage Glenswilly were able to ride their luck and see out the win.

A strong, battling performance from Aodh Ruadh, but once again they leave empty handed. Glenswilly will be relieved to have got out of Father Tierney Park with the full complement of points.

Jack Gallagher was probably the foremost talent on show for either side. He put in a ravenous display of dominant attacking football and every time he had the ball Glenswilly were in trouble. Damian Weber also soldiered hard in the attack. The return to action of Nathan Boyle was a very welcome sight for the home support on Sunday and he showed the old fireworks are still there. It was another honest and impactful shift from Matt Gillespie, while further back Ryan Keenaghan, Darren Drummond and Eddie Lynch could all be very happy with their defensive contributions.

For Glenswilly Donnacha Gallagher was key to the victory with one outstanding save and a real exhibition of restart kicking. Sean Collum was a real livewire in the defence, while the dominance of Kealan Dunleavy and Mark Bonner was a huge asset for the winners. In attack Gary Kelly got on a lot of ball, using it well, while Daithi Gildea was also very dangerous.

Aodh Ruadh scorers: Jack Gallagher 0-6,3f; Shane Delahunty, Matt Gillespie 1-0 each; Damian Weber 0-3,1f,1tp; Darren Drummond, David Dolan 0-1 each.

Glenswilly scorers: Daithi Gildea 1-2,1f; Mark Bonner 1-0; Eoghan Scott (tpf), Kealan Dunleavy, Gary Kelly, Mark Collum (1f) 0-2 each; Sean Collum, Jack Gallagher, Matthew Enright 0-1 each.

Aodh Ruadh: Peter Boyle; Ryan Keenaghan, Kyle Murray, Garreth Brennan; Eddie Lynch, Darren Drummond, James Monaghan; Shane Delahunty, Eamon McGrath; Damian Weber, Darragh Flood Dolan, Jack Gallagher; David Dolan, Matt Gillespie, Shane McGrath

Subs: Eoin Cassidy for David Dolan (45); Nathan Boyle for Matt Gillespie (48); Diarmaid McInerney for Darren Drummond (52); Cian Dolan for Damian Weber (60).

Glenswilly: Donnacha Gallagher; Liam McGinley, Jake Kelly, Dylan McAteer; Sean Collum, Jack Gallagher, Pauric Devine; Kealan Dunleavy, Mark Bonner; Oisin McGrenra, Eoghan Scott, Gary Kelly; Mark Collum, Daithi Gildea, Matthew Enright.

Subs: Oisin Crawford for Gary Kelly (Blood sub 10-12 mins); Oisin Crawford for Oisin McGrenra (39); Patrick Ward for Kealan Dunleavy (48).

Referee: Cathal Boland (Ardara).