Late goals see Aodh Ruadh edge Dungloe in thrilling finish

Two cracking late goals sealed victory for Aodh Ruadh hurlers over wasteful Dungloe in a hard-fought 13-a-side affair in Pairc Aoidh Ruadh in the Donegal Hurling League.

Aodh Ruadh 2-13 Dungloe 1-10

The darting Senan Rooney slalomed through the Dungloe defence and slammed the sliotar in under the crossbar.

At first it was thought that it was a point, but on consultation with an umpire referee Marc Brown awarded the goal in the 57th minute.

When Dungloe goalkeeper Joe Doyle batted out a high ball, Shane Brady pounced to first time the ball to the net and victory was sealed.

The score does not reflect the closeness of matters as Dungloe dominated for long period when playing into the wind in the first half.

Finn Harps held to draw by winless Kerry

Ryan Flood rescued a point for Harps on their first visit to Mounthawk Park

Dungloe  hit seven bad wides in a wind-assisted second half as Aodh had a strong resurgence, inspired by full backs Adam Rami and Dan Downey and the outstanding Deva Ayres to get right back into the match.

Dungloe had the better of the early exchanges and eased into 1-1 to 0-0 lead thanks to a well struck free from the hard-working Brendan Boyle after two minutes.

It got even better for the Gaeltacht men, who were minus Ritchie Ryan and James and Thomas Hartnett, when Tristan Boyle finished a free that dropped to the net after three minutes.

Rory Cullen replied with an Aodh Ruadh point and Rooney converted a free.

The goal was to separate the sides for the rest of the half with Dungloe’s Conor Diver hitting some fine long-range points and Rooney responding from frees.

Dungloe deservedly led 1-7 to 0-7 at the break.

Aodh Ruadh, who were minus the Keenaghans and Adam Clarke, worked hard to get back in touch and hit three points in this period to level matters on a score of 1-7 to 0-10.

Their points came from Larkin, Rooney and Shane Brady as Dungloe continued to be wasteful in front of the post.

Brady put the home side in front for the first time in the 46h minute on a score of 1-7 to 0-11.

It was real frenetic stuff at this stage as Rooney regained the lead for Aodh Ruadh when he converted a ’65.

Dungloe hit back with two superbly struck frees from Boyle to put them into a 1-10 to 0-12 lead as full time beckoned.

There was more drama to come in the dying minutes as the beavering Rory Cullen tied matters once again, but Aodh Ruadh’s late three-pointers sealed the deal in a thrilling finish.

Aodh Ruadh scorers: Senan Rooney 1-7, 6f; Shane Brady 1-2; Martin Larkin, Rory Cullen 0-2 each.

Dungloe scorers: Brendan Boyle 0-6, 5f; Conor Diver 0-4; Tristan Boyle 1-0.

Aodh Ruadh: Kenzie Ayres; Adam Rami, Dan Downey, Gareth Sheerin Cian McKenna, Deva Ayres, Senan Rooney; Ryan McCormack Rory Cullen; Martin Larkin, Shane Brady, Steohen Connolly, Ciaran Rami. Subs; Ciaran Daly for Kezie Ayres (half-time).

Dungloe: Padraig Lawlor; Kevin Gallivan, Odhran Duffy, Robbie Ryan, Sean O’Donnell, Evan McFadden, James McCole, Brendan Boyle, Aidan McGee, Conor Diver, Padraig Sweeney, Mark Gallivan, Tristan Boyle. Subs; Joe Doyle for Lawlor (half-time).

Referee: Marc Brown (Four Masters)