Molloy back with a bang as Naomh Conaill win in Gaoth Dobhair

Dermot Molloy made a triumphant return to action as he hammered home a crucial goal for Naomh Conaill in a testy affair against Gaoth Dobhair in Magheragallon.

Gaoth Dobhair 0-11 Naomh Conaill 2-7

Molloy had not played since last year’s championship but bounced from the bench and had ball in the roof of the Gaoth Dobhair two minutes after his introduction for Sean Roarty 11 into the second half.

The former Donegal forward showed all his predatory instincts by getting on the end of a swift six-man move and hammering the ball to the roof of the home side’s net.

Molloy’s marvellous strike levelled the score at Gaoth Dobhair 0-10 Naomh Conaill 2-4.

And even though Gaoth Dobhair marksman Ethan Harkin put his team ahead by a point, late points from Seamus Corcoran and Ethan O’Donnell sealed the deal for the Donegal SFC holders in a torrid finish that Gaoth Dobhair claimed had at least two minutes added time due to a few stoppages for some heavy hits.

Both sides started this match minus around eight regulars each and Gaoth Dobhair lost team captain Neil McGee, who actually took the toss. Gaoth Dobhair had the stiff breeze and eased into an early 0-3 to 0-0 lead thanks to pointed frees from Harkin and a fine point from Stephen McFadden by the fifth minute.

But they were rocked by a swift Naomh Conaill goal when Kevin McGettigan tore through the centre of the Gaoth Dobhair defence and smashed the ball to the roof of the net after nine minutes, to level matters against the run of play.

Harkin and Peter McGee put the hosts three points up again as they began to make use of the breeze and Naomh Conaill’s discipline was slipping. Harkin added three more points to put Gaoth Dobhair ahead by 0-9 to 1-0 by the 23rd minute.

It was Naomh Conaill who finished the half the strongest with two pointed frees into the breeze from John O’Malley as Gaoth Dobhair led by 0-10 to 1-2 at the break. Gaoth Dobhair could only add two more points in the second half as Naomh Conaill clawed their way back into contention.

O’Malley and Mark McDaid narrowed the gap for Naomh Conaill with Neasan McBride replying for Gaoth Dobhair, who led by 0-10 to 2-4. Enter Molloy, who dramatically levelled matters with his cracking goal.

And even though Harkin restored the home side’s lead Naomh Conaill got the clinching points amid one torrid incident where a player from each side escaped with a yellow card each following a melee.

Gaoth Dobhair scorers: Ethan Harkin 0-8,7f; Neasan McBride, Stephen McFadden and Peter McGee 0-1, each.
Naomh Conaill scorers: Kevin McGettigan and Dermot Molloy 1-0 each; John O’Malley 0-3, 3f; Seamus Corcoran 0-2; Ethan O’Donnell and Mark McDevitt 0-1 each.

Gaoth Dobhair: Gavin Sweeney; Aidan Breathnach, Danny Curran, Fergal Delaney; Darragh Ferry, Neasan McBride, Eoin De Burca; Peter McGee, Michael Roarty; Stephen McFadden, Cian McEntee, Sean Doherty; Ethan Harkin, Eamon McGee, Gavin McBride.
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Logan Quinn, AJ Gallagher, Jason Campbell; Ultan Doherty, Sean Roarty, Marty Boyle; Leo McLoone, Ethan O’Donnell; Kevin McGettigan, Eunan Doherty, Keelan McGill; Mark McDevitt; Seamus Corcoran, John O’Malley. Subs: Dermot Molloy for Sean Roarty (41), Neil Francis Boyle for Mark McDevitt (56)
Referee: Seamus McGonigle (Aodh Ruadh)