Mulligan goal drives Gaoth Dobhair to derby victory over Cloughaneely

Gaoth Dobhair bounced back from last weekend’s defeat by Aodh Ruadh with a five-point win over Cloughaneely in Magheragallon.

Gaoth Dobhair 1-10 Cloughaneely 0-8

The home side laid the foundation for the win in the opening half and despite playing into a stiff wind and up the hill they led by six points 1-8 to 0-5 at the end of the opening 30 minutes.

Cian Mulligan scored the goal and also kicked a point for the locals who looked impressive as they moved up through the gears as the game progressed. Ethan Harkin kicked four of the points while Niall Friel, Micheal Roarty and Odhran MacNiallais also raised white flags for the locals.

It was the first senior championship meeting between the neighbours in Magheragallon since 1999. Back then, the first-leg tie was won by Cloughaneely who were managed by Dan Doohan, who is back wearing the manager's bib again this season.

Shaun McClafferty, with the first score of the game, Ciaran Coll, Mark Harley, Shaun Curran and Blake McGarvey kicked the first-half Cloughaneely points.

The strike rate in the second half dropped a level and it was Cloughaneely who were chasing the game and won the second period on the scoreboard.

They outscored the locals by three points to two with Shaun Curran, who topped the scoring for the men from St Finian’s Park, posting all of Cloughaneely points.

Ethan Harkin and Michael Carroll scored the Gaoth Dobhair points as they held on to chalk up their second win of the championship. Cloughaneely had a couple of goal chances with Aodhan Breathnach taking the ball off the line 11 minutes into the new half, in what was the best of the chances.

Gaoth Dobhair scorers: Cian Mulligan 1-1, Ethan Harkin 0-5,2f, Niall Friel, Micheal Roarty, Michael Carroll and Odhran Mac Niallais 0-1 each
Cloughaneely: Shaun Curran 0-4,2f; Shaun McClafferty 0-1,1f; Ciaran Coll, Mark Harley, Blake McGarvey 0-1 each.

Gaoth Dobhair: Daithi Roberts; Fergal Delaney, Gary McFadden, James O’Baoill; Niall Friel, Neil McGee, Aodan Breathnach; Odhran MacNiallais, Donal MacGiolla Bríde; Cian McEntee, Stephen McFadden, Micheal Roarty; Ethan Harkin, Eamon McGee, Cian Mulligan. Subs: Michael Carroll for C McEntee (36); Neasan McBride for A Breathanach (45); Cathal De Burca for M Fitzgerald (50); Gavin McBride for E McGee (53).
Cloughaneely: Shaun McClafferty; Michael Fitzgerald, Shaun Curran, Cian McFadden; Ethan Friel, Ciaran Scanlon, Daire Ferry; Jason McGee, Darren McGeever; Conor Coyle, Darren Ferry, Ciaran Coll; Blake McGarvey, John Fitzgerald, Mark Harley. Subs: Ciaran McGeady for C McFadden (h/t); Ciaran Gallagher for C Coll (40); Paul Sweeney for M Fitzgerald (56).
Referee: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhanada).