Cloughaneely defeat Killybegs but still make the drop 

It definitely is a funny old game as Cloughaneely produced a superb second half display to blow away the challenge of a severely weakened Killybegs at Pairc Naomh Fionán. 

Cloughaneely 4-10 Killybegs 1-6 

But the real story of the day was the shock victory of Glenfin over an albeit understrength Kilcar side on a score of 3-10 to 0-14, a result that now relegates both Cloughaneely and Killybegs to Division 2 football next season. 

Glenfin were on five points coming into this weekend and their unlikely win in Towney means they finish in the relegation/promotion play-off spot. 

Cloughaneely had a poor opening half playing with the breeze, but an inspiring surge in the third quarter was the platform for their emphatic success. 

Killybegs, who were minus Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Jack McSharry, Evan Broderick, Cillian Gildea and Christopher Mulligan had the better of a first half marred by a brief but ugly incident, and led by 1-4 to 1-2 thanks to a goal from John Ban Gallagher with man of the match John Fitzgerald replying for the home side. 

But three well finished goals in a one-sided second half settled matters for the home side. Killybegs settled swiftly and Conor Cunningham put them in front with a pointed free. 

With Hugh McFadden orchestrating matters from midfield, and Charlie Breslin rescuing a stray sheep dog and depositing him outside the fence, they looked the more composed outfit. 

A huge punt from McFadden was not dealt with by the Cloughaneely defence and John Ban Gallagher scrambled the ball to the net in the sixth minute. 

Cunningham then rattled over two more points as the home side struggled to make any inroads on the Killybegs defence. Killybges had a let off when keeper Antoine O’Hara’s kick went straight to Cloughaneely full forward Paul Sweeney who saw an empty net. 

But he scuffed his hasty shot and the keeper got back to rescue matters in the 18th minute. It took Cloughaneely all of 24 minutes to register their first  point from Fitzgerald after hitting three poor wides. 

But they hit a crucial goal two minutes later when Darren Ferry’s long ball over the top was gathered by the unmarked Fitzgerald who goaled to set up a real contest. 

We then had a brief but nasty incident when up to six players from each side began a wrestling match with four of the players ending up on the ground. And then we had a brief but ugly skirmish between some mentors from both sides. 

Referee Mark Dorrian had a word with both benches and tempers cooled as quickly as they boiled. Killybegs turned over with the breeze, but it was Cloughaneely who sprinted from the traps with a vengeance. 

Once again, the long ball was used to test the relative lack of commanding height in the Killybegs defence as Fitzgerald pounced once again to hit the net. 

This was a real game changer with Ciaran Coll pointing on the double to leave the home side leading by 2-4 to 1-4 after just five minutes. 

Fitzgerald increased the lead as Killybegs were pinned in their own half for long periods. Blake McGarvey then burst into action with a few well struck points as Conor Cunningham replied for Killybegs. 

And Cloughaneely rattled in two more goals from the lively McGarvey and Dara Ferry with McFadden replying for Killybegs with a point. 

A well deserved win for the home team, but their day ended on a damp note due to that surprise result in Towney. 

Cloughaneely scorers: John Fitzgerald 2-3; Blake McGarvey 1-4; Ciaran Coll 0-3. 

Killybegs scorers: Conor Cunningham 0-4,4f; John Ban Gallagher 1-0; Hugh McFadden 0-2,2f. 

Cloughaneely: Sean McClafferty; Dara Ferry, Cian Scanlon, Cian McFadden; Sean Geaney, Michael Fitzgerald, Ethan Friel; Mark Harley, Darren McGeever; Ciaran Coll, Darren Ferry, Conor Coyle; Blake McGarvey, Paul Sweeney, John Fitzgerald. 

Subs; Ciaran McGeady for Paul Sweeney (56). 

Killybegs: Antoine O’Hara; Ben Conneely, Christy Cunningham, Michael Callaghan; Callum Quinn, Ryan Carr, Charlie Breslin; Hugh McFadden, Rory Colyer; Mick Finnerty, Ryan Cunningham, Donal McGuire; Christopher Murrin, Conor Cunningham, John Ban Gallagher. 

Subs: Christopher Cunningham (Jnr) for John Ban Gallagher (49).  

Referee: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhanada)