Lee Henderson was on song for MacCumhaills as they won away to Dungloe in the SHC

MacCumhaill’s greater experience and physique were crucial in the second half, as they overcame a battling Dungloe in miserable conditions in Rosses Park. 

Dungloe 2-9 MacCumhaills 3-17

Dungloe were well in contention for about 40 minutes after deservedly leading by 1-7 to 1-6 at the break. 

But Gavin Browne, Lee Henderson and promising dual star Joel Bradley Walsh drove their side to victory in the second half. 

Henderson finished with 2-7 six from frees, and was a constant threat to youthful Dungloe for whom Thomas Hartnett landed 0-7 with brother James, chipping with three points. 

MacCumhaills had the perfect start when Anthony Patton had a scrambled goal in the second minute. 

Thomas Hartnett replied with two pointed frees as Henderson responded with two similar efforts for the Twin Towns. 

Dungloe levelled matters at 1-2 each when Matthew O’Donnell finished a long ball to the MacCumhaill’s net. 

Points from the impressive Hartnett brothers who are coached by dad Cormac, pushed the home side toa 1-6 to 1-2 lead by 21st minute. 

MacCumhaills ended a 15- minute famine with three points in almost as many minutes from Henderson and Martin Timoney as Hartnett and an improving Browne swapped points to leave Dungloe leading by 1-7 to 1-6 at the break. 

Henderson hit two rapid fire points and Bradley Walsh and Browne added a fourth to edge the visitors into a 1-10 to 1-7 lead. 

But Dungloe responded with a Philip Rogers goal and a Thomas Hartnett to put them into a 2-8 to 1-10 lead after seven. 

But they could only add a single point to their tally as MacCumhaills took over. 

A Henderson free went straight to the home side’s net as the game turned in the niggling and insistent rain. It was all MacCumhaills. 

Browne and Henderson hit some fine points and Henderson had another goal. Bradley Walsh was also on target with Thomas Hartnett landing a late free as MacCumahills ran out easy winners in the end. 

MacCumhaills scorers: Lee Henderson 2-7,6f; Gavin Browne 0-4; Anthony Patton 1-1; Joel Bradley Walsh 0-4; Martin Timoney 0-1; 

Dungloe scorers: Thomas Hartnett 0-6,6f; Matthew O’Donnell 1-0; Philip Rodgers 1-0; James Hartnett 0-3; 

Dungloe: Padraig Lawlor; Odhran Duffy, Mikey Power, Joe Greene; Rob Ryan, Damian McGowan, Evan McFadden; Thomas Hartnett,Sean O’Donnell; Joe Doyle, Philip Rodgers, James McCole; James Hartnett, Matthew O’Donnell, John Boyle. 

Subs; Aidan McGee for John Boyle (37), Pauric Sweeney for Joe Doyle (48), Eanna Ó Cuirrín for Evan McFadden (58). 

MacCumhaills: Josh McGee; Oran Wright, John Anthony Chambers, Kyle Tourish; Conor Murphy, Fintan Griffen, Aaron Toner; Gavin Browne, Fintan Griffen; Joel Bradley Walsh,Lee Henderson, Dean Hannigan, Anthony Patton, Shane McMenamin, Martin Timoney. 

Referee: James Connors (St Eunan’s)