Buncrana keep promotion charge going at Gaeil Fhánada

A Buncrana purple patch at the beginning of the second period and an Oisín Hegarty goal were the defining features of Sunday’s Division 2 clash at Páirc Uí Shiadhail as The Scarvey men continue to stay well in the hunt for promotion to Division 1. 

Gaeil Fhánada 0-7vBun Cranncha 1-11 

Gaeil Fhánada played away from the clubhouse end in the opening period, and hit the opening two points of the game courtesy of Seamie Friel and Liam Mc Grenaghan despite playing into a stiff breeze. Buncrana responded strongly, and from the 15th to the 20th minute, they had six efforts at goal, four of which dropped over Mark Mc Conigley’s crossbar.

Oisín O’Flaherty, William Mc Laughlin, Oisín Crawford and John Campbell all on target from play as they made good use of the breeze at their backs. There would be no further scores until the final couple of minutes of the half, Peter Mc Laughlin for the visitors and Seán Carr with his fist for the Gaels. Bun Cranncha 0-5 Gaeil Fhánada 0-3

The hosts needed a positive start to the second period, but it was the visitors who made the early impact on the scoreboard, as Oisín Crawford struck twice on the counterattack, and William Mc Laughlin added his second of the afternoon. Eoghan Carr and Liam McGrenaghan struck the next two Fanad points, but on each occasion, Shaun McLaughlin replied for the visitors as they retained the five-point gap. 

The defining score of the game arrived in the twentieth minute, as Buncrana forced a turnover deep in the Gaels half, and Oisín Hegarty had the simple task of finishing the ball to the net. Shaun Kerr did provide a spark as he entered the fray for Gaeil Fhánada, and was unlucky not to hit the net with an impressive effort, but the woodwork proved to be his foe.

Kerr and Liam Jordon then traded points, with the game's final score coming from a Liam Mc Grenaghan free in the final minute of normal time, but the points were going back around the Swilly to Buncrana as they continued their promotion quest with an efficient and mature performance. They face a trip to Ardara in their next outing while Gaeil Fhánada make the journey to Naomh Columba. 

Gaeil Fhánada: Mark Mc Conigley, Calum Mc Ateer, Paddy Heraghty, Jimmy Coyle, Darren Mc Elwaine, Odhrán Shiels, Brandon Mc Clafferty, Michael Sweeney, Paddy Carr, Liam McGrenaghan (0-3), Seamie Friel (0-1), Seán Carr (0-1), James Kerr, Eoghan Carr, Eoin Logue. Shaun Kerr (0-1) for Seán Carr, Fergal Friel for Michael Sweeney. 

Bun Cranncha: Kevin Treacy, Evan Mc Callion, Seán Doherty, Aedan Stokes, JP Mc Kenna, William Mc Laughlin (0-2), Oisín O’ Flaherty (0-1), Peter Mc Laughlin (0-1), Caolan McGonagle, Liam Jordon (0-1), Shaun Mc Laughlin (0-2), Oisín Crawford (0-3), Oisín Hegarty (1-0), John Campbell (0-1), Adrian Doherty. Subs: Adrian Mc Colgan, Conor Graham. 

Réiteoir: Enda Mc Feely (Naomh Mhuire, Conmhaigh)