Naomh Conaill make light work of holders in All-Ireland Comórtas Peile na Galtachta

Naomh Conaill cruised into the semi-final of the All-Ireland Comórtas Peile na Galtachta senior championship with a comfortable quarter-final victory over Beal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh at the Banks this afternoon.

Naomh Conaill 1-21 Beal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh 1-8

A repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final which was won by the Cork champions after extra-time, the outcome of this tie was never in doubt from very early in the contest.

With Ethan O’Donnell, Marty Boyle and Mark McDevitt pulling the strings out around midfield and Eoghan McGettigan, Brendan McDyer and John O’ Malley buzzing up front, the Donegal champions raced into an early lead and were 0-8 to 0-1 up at the end of the first quarter. And they were well on their way to victory at the half-time whistle their lead stretched out to 0-13 to 0-4.

Sean Ó’Muinneachan, Conchúr O’ Loingsigh, Diarmaid Mac Tomáis (2) posted the Beal Atha’n Gaoirigh points. Mac Tomáis was the one bright spark in the Cork attack and proved to be a handful for the Naomh Conaill defence.

Beal Atha’n Gaoirigh with the wind advantage got the second period off to a lightning start thanks to points from Amhaloidh Ó’Loingsigh and a Seán Seartan and a Donagh Seartan goal to cut the Naomh Conaill lead to five points.

The goal had the look of good fortune about and what looked like a shot for a point dropped into the top corner of the Naomh Conaill net.

The Naomh Conaill response was pretty swift with John O’Malley converting from the penalty spot after Ethan O’Donnell was pulled back in full flight.

That was on 11 minutes and when Brendan McDyre three minutes later split the post as he cut in from the right-hand side normal service was restored. Naomh Conaill ed 1-15 to 1-6.
The game fizzled out after that as both managers ran their benches.

Naomh Conaill scorers: Eoghan McGettigan and Brendan McDyer 0-5,1f each; John O’Malley 1-1, 1-0 pen; Mark McDevitt and Kevin McGettigan 0-3 each, Seamus Corcoran 0-2, Ultan Doherty and Leo Dunphy 0-1, each.
Beal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh scorers: Donagh Seartan 1-0, Dairmaid Mac Tomáis 0-3, Sean Ó’ Muinneachan, Conchur Ó’ Loingsigh, Ben Seartan, Amhaloibh Ó’ Loinsigh 0-1 each.

Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Logan Quinn, AJ Gallagher, Ultan Doherty; Marty Boyle, Mark McDevitt, Kevin McGettigan; Neil F Boyle, Ethan O’Donnell; Leo McLoone, Seamus Corcoran, Caolan McGill; Brendan McDyer, Eoghan McGettigan, John O’Malley. Subs; Hughie Gallagher for M McDevitt (46); Eoin Waide for C McGill (53,inj); Jason Campbell for B McDyre (56); Leo Dunphy for J O’Malley (58).
Beal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh: D Ó’ Coill; A Loingsigh, E Duinnín, J Ó’Donnchú; N Ó Laoire, B Ó’hÁrgain, D Ó’ Ceallachan; S Ó’ Tuama, C Ó’ Duinnín; G O’Laoire, C Ó’Loingsigh, D Mac Tomáis; Ben Seartan, D Seartan, S Ó, Muineacháin. Subs: M Ó’ Riordáin for N O’ Laoire; L Seartan for L Ó’ Loingsigh, S O’ Laoire for D O’ Ceallacháin.
Referee: Robbie O’ Donnell (Donegal).