Gaeil Fhánada post first IFC win against Naomh Bríd

Gaeil Fhánada eventually had too much firepower to overcome a stubborn Naomh Bríd challenge at a windy Páirc Uí Shiadhail on Sunday afternoon in the Donegal IFC.

Gaeil Fhánada 0-10 Naomh Bríd 0-4 

The inability of the visitors to register a second-half score and a late flurry of points from the hosts left a margin of six between the sides at the conclusion, but there wasn’t more than a kick of the ball between the sides for the majority of the contest.

The opening quarter hour was lively, with the hosts pressing forward but Naomh Bríd looking dangerous on the counterattack. It was two points apiece after ten minutes, Aaron McGrory opening the scoring before a Fanad equaliser from Oisín Shiels. Darren Russell for Naomh Bríd and Seamie Friel for the home side then exchanged points, before Seamie Friel edged Gaeil Fhánada ahead and then a fisted point from Fergal Friel doubled their lead.

McGrory reduced the gap to the minimum on the quarter-hour mark with his second from play, but a Liam McGrenaghan effort stretched the Fanad lead to two seven minutes later, a couple of stoppages in the intervening period as Paddy Heraghty left the field due to injury for the hosts. The final two scores of the opening period were shared equally, Darren Russell and Liam McGrenaghan both registering points in injury time. Gaeil Fhánada 0-6 Naomh Bríd 0-4.

The weather worsened during the break, with a swirling wind and drizzle combining to make life difficult for the shooters on both teams. Naomh Bríd launched a few long balls in the direction of Gearóid Gallagher but to no avail, while James Kerr saw his effort at goal well saved by Naomh Bríd netminder, Pauric McDaid.

Defences were on top for the third quarter, but Fanad ramped things up in the final ten minutes, and late scores from McGrenaghan, James Kerr and two from Seamie Friel put the gloss on the Gaeil Fhánada victory.

Fanad will travel to Downings next while Naomh Bríd will host Naomh Columba in their third game.

Gaeil Fhánada scorers: Seamie Friel 0-4; Liam McGrenaghan 0-3; Oisín Shiels, James Kerr, Fergal Friel 0-1 each.
Naomh Bríd scorers: Darren Russell and Aaron Mc Grory 0-2 each.

Gaeil Fhánada: Mark McConigley; Oisín McFadden, Paddy Heraghty, Jimmy Coyle; Calum Mc Ateer, Oisín Shiels, Odhrán Shiels; Liam McGrenaghan, Paddy Carr; Brandon McClafferty, Seamie Friel, Darren McElwaine; James Kerr, Fergal Friel, Shaun Kerr. Subs: Eoghan Carr for Paddy Heraghty, Conor Heraghty for Fergal Friel.
Naomh Bríd: Pauric McDaid; Billy Harron, Gary McCafferty, Michael Gallagher; Sean Gormley, Eoin Mc Garrigle, Darragh Brogan; Calum Gallagher, Thomas Gallagher; Callum McGrory, Liam Duffy, Darren Russell (0:02), Conor Mc Nulty, Gearóid Gallagher, Aaron McGrory.
Réiteoir: Stephen Doherty (Red Hughs)