Cloughaneely content with SFC progression - Denis Doohan

Denis Doohan says progression to the knockout stages of the SFC represents significant progress for Cloughaneely.

The Falcarragh side finished in eighth place in the group stage, comfortably making the top 12 and securing their spot in the preliminary quarter-finals. 

The 2021 IFC winners only collected one point from four outings last season drawing with Four Masters and losing to St Eunan’s, Kilcar and Killybegs. 

This time out, after putting it up to Kilcar in an opening-round loss, victories were earned against both Milford and Four Masters. In between, they suffered another defeat away to Gaoth Dobhair. 

But the man calling the shots at St Finian’s Park, Doohan, explains that making it through to the knockout stages of the SFC was the club’s paramount aim in 2023. 

“It is a big thing for us to qualify for the preliminary quarter-final given we are not long up at senior again,” said the Cloughaneely boss. 

“It is a big step forward for the club, especially for the five or six young lads playing senior for the first time this year.” 

Reflecting on the weekend’s 2-9 to 2-7 win over Four Masters, Doohan admits that the two valuable championship points were hard-earned. 

“There was a stiff breeze in it and we played against it in the first-half. So we felt going in at half-time, only two points down, we had a good chance. 

Ciaran McGeady scored a goal before half-time. It was a big score and a game changer really.

“We were probably lucky to be only two down at half-time and our second goal just after the break was a fortunate goal too but we’ll take it.” 

The second goal tied up the game and it was still level moving into the final quarter before Cloughaneely kicked on with two late John Fitzgerald points to seal the win. 

“I thought our boys knuckled down in the second-half and put in a big effort and defended well and finished strong.” 

Cloughaneely now face Ardara next, in the preliminary round, with a place in the last eight of the championship the prize for the winners. 

Doohan says Ardara are a traditionally strong SFC side that will also be buoyed by their progress into the last 12. 

“We are just happy to get through to the next round and now that we are there we will give it a go and see if we can make the quarter-final.”