Gaeil Fhánada squeeze out narrow win over Ardara in Division 2

Michael Sweeney and Seán Carr hit the game’s defining scores, finding the back of the net at key moments in the second half, while Liam McGrenaghan also made a telling contribution as Gaeil Fhánada pipped Ardara by the bare minimum.

Gaeil Fhánada 2-6 Ard an Rátha 0-11

The opening period was a slow burner, both sides creating plenty of chances, and both goalkeepers called into action on several occasions.

Mc Grenaghan opened the scoring for the hosts from a placed ball in the fifth minute. As the half wore on, Mark McConigley in the Gaeil Fhánada goal made saves from Paul Walsh and Joseph Melly, while at the other end Cathal Gallagher made good saves from McGrenaghan and Sweeney.

Eoin McGonigle split the posts twice for Gaeil Fhánada in the remainder of opening half, as Niall Patrick Mc Crossan from a mark and Karl Joseph Molloy from play registered the Ardara scores.

The visitors raced out of the blocks after the break, and hit four points without reply in the opening five minutes. Lorcan O’ Donnell pointed straight from the throw-in, and Karl Joseph Molloy edged Ardara ahead for the first time a minute later.

Paddy McGrath then added two quick points on the bounce, and suddenly, Ardara found themselves three points ahead. Liam Mc Grenaghan pointed twice in response for the hosts, but the aforementioned Molloy from a mark raised another white flag to edge the visitors two ahead halfway through the second half.

Fanad responded with the first of their goals as Michael Sweeney galloped through and forced the ball past Cathal Gallagher to edge Gaeil Fhánada back into the lead. Again, the visitors responded, Cailum Malley and Karl Joseph Molloy on target for Ardara, as they reclaimed the lead in the 21st minute.

The game was now going from end to end and the green flag was soon raised for the second time, as a Liam Mc Grenaghan effort dropped short, and it was Seán Carr who rose highest to flick the ball to the back of the net. Kevin Whyte and Liam Mc Grenaghan then traded points, before Ardara reduced the gap to the minimum in the first minute injury time, courtesy of substitute Gareth Concarr, but that was to be the final score as Gaeil Fhánada prevailed by the minimum to record their second league victory of the season.

Gaeil Fhánada scorers: Liam McGrenaghan 0-4; Michael Sweeney and Seán Carr 1-0 each; Eoin McGonigle 0-2.
Ard an Rátha scorers: Karl Joseph Molloy 0-4; Paddy McGrath 0-2; Niall Patrick McCrossan, Lorcan O’Donnell, Kevin Whye, Cailum Malley and Gareth Concarr 0-1.

Gaeil Fhánada: Mark Mc Conigley; Calum McAteer, Paddy Heraghty, Jimmy Coyle; Michael Sweeney, Odhrán Shiels, Brandon McClafferty; Paddy Carr, Oisín Mc Fadden; Seán Carr, Liam McGrenaghan, Eoghan Logue; James Kerr, Alan McAteer, Eoin McGonigle. Subs: Conor Heraghty for James Kerr, Fergal Friel for Eoin Mc Gonigle, Paul Coyle for Michael Sweeney, Seamie Friel for Eoin Logue.

Ard an Rátha: Cathal Gallagher; Shane Mooney, Shane Whyte, Charlie Bennett; Danny Walsh, Joseph Melly, Nicholas Breslin; Conor Classon, Tony Harkin; Kevin Whyte, Karl Joseph Molloy; Cailum Malley; Paul Walsh, Niall Patrick Mc Crossan, Paddy Mc Grath. Subs used: Lorcan O’ Donnell, Nicholas Maguire, Oisín O’ Donnell, Gareth Concarr.

Réiteoir: Martin Coll (Gaoth Dobhair)