Gaoth Dobhair hold on to win against plucky Kilcar

Gaoth Dobhair got the new season up and running with a narrow win over Kilcar, in the first round of the Comórtas Peile Na Gaeltachta  at a wet and windy Magheragallon, this afternoon.

Gaoth Dobhair 1-6   1-5 Kilcar 

In the proverbial game of two halves in very difficult conditions, Gaoth Dobhair, with the driving rain and wind favouring them, dominated most of the opening half and led 1-5 to 0-2 at half time.

Peter McGee, who had a big game in the middle of the park throughout, scored the goal and Stephen McFadden, Noel Kelly, Ethan Harkin, Niall Friel and Cian Mulligan posted the points for the winners, who fielded a strong enough starting 15.

The goal, after an interchange of play between McGee, Cian Mulligan and McGee again in the middle of the opening period, was the big score of the first half. 

The locals were leading 0-2 to 0-1 at the time after Stephen McFadden and  Noel Kelly for Gaoth Dobhair and Pauric McShane had split the posts for Kilcar. 

Gaoth Dobhair, powered by Peter McGee, his big brother Neil, Niall Friel and Cian Mulligan, hit the  next three scores to lead 1-5 to 0-1 before Brian O’Donnell brought down the curtain on the first half scoring three minutes from the break. 

Mulligan, who kicked the point of the first half, replaced Odhran MacNiallais early in the game after the former county player picked up an injury. 

Now with the elements in their backs Eoin Cormack and Daniel Lyons landed two points in the opening three minutes of the second period as Jamie McGee struggled with the kickouts into the strong wind.

The inexperienced McGee was replaced six minutes into the new half by Gavin McBride, who steadied the ship. 

Seaghan Ferry, a half-time replacement for Stephen McFadden, landed the game’s next score  to restore Gaoth Dobhair’s five point advantage once more. The locals led 1-6 to 0-4 with under a quarter hour to play.

But Ferry’s point, seconds after Noel Kelly had an opportunity for a second goal, was Gaoth Dobhair’s only score of the second  half. And Ronan MacNiallais's men were hanging on at the finish as Ciaran McGinley, Stephen McBrearty and company chased the game. 

Eoin Cormack capped a good performance with a second point ten minutes from the end of normal time.

And the fat was back in the fire when McBrearty converted from the penalty spot after the impressive Daniel Lyons was fouled in a crowded goalmouth. 

That was on 53 minutes but with Neil McGee drawing on all his craft and experience held on to win after being given a run for their money in the second half.

It was a first win for  Gaoth Dobhair’s new  manager Ronan MacNiallais and his assistant Francie Friel but they will no doubt welcome the extra game ahead of the start of the ACFL at the beginning of next month. 

Conor Cunningham, who had Martin McHugh on the line with him, will take comfort from the second half performance from his young and inexperienced side. 

Gaoth Dobhair scorers: Peter McGee 1-0, Stephen McFadden, Noel Kelly, Ethan Harkin, Niall Friel, Cian Mulligan and Seaghan Ferry 0-1 each. 

Kilcar scorers: Stephen McBrearty 1-0 penalty, Eoin McCormack 0-2, Pauric McShane, Brian O’Donnell, Daniel Lyons 0-1 each. 

Gaoth Dobhair: Jamie McGee; Danny Curran, Gary McFadden, Fergal Delaney; Niall Friel, Neil McGee, Neasun MacGiolla Bhride;  Donal MacGiolla Bhride, Peter McGee; Stephen McFadden, Michael Carroll, Sean Doherty; Ethan Harkin, Noel Kelly, Odhran MacNiallais. 

Subs: Cian Mulligan for O MacNiallais inj; Seaghan Ferry for S McFadden; Gavin McBride for J McGee; Jamie Doherty for M Carroll inj. 

Kilcar: Eoin Love; Kenny Doogan, Pauric Carr, Ryan McShane; Pauric McShane, Oran Doogan, Daniel Lyons; Ciaran McGinley, Stephen McBrearty; Conor O’Donnell, Gary Molloy, Eoin Cormack; Seanie Boyle, Darragh O’Donnell, Brian O’Donnell.

Subs; Mark McHugh and Eoghan Doherty for Gary Molloy and Conor Doherty. 

Referee: Robbie O’Donnell (Naomh Muire)