Eamon McGee fists winner as Gaoth Dobhair edge out Dungloe

Veteran Eamon McGee was the hero for Gaoth Dobhair as they just about got over the line against Dungloe in the final preliminary quarter-final in Falcarragh.

Gaoth Dobhair 0-10 Dungloe 1-6

In very difficult conditions with driving rain, the sides served up a very close affair and it looked as if it might take extra-time when Dungloe got back level with time just about up. But then Niall Friel and Odhrán Mac Niallais combined to set up McGee to fist over the winning point.

Gaoth Dobhair had the umpire reaching for the white flag after just 26 seconds, Stephen McFadden firing over via an upright.

The Magheragallon men lost Michael Carroll to injury after five minutes with Dáire Ó Baoill replacing him. An off the ball tug on Daire Gallagher saw Ryan Greene get Dungloe off the mark from a free.

The skilful Odhrán Mac Niallais sent a peach of a pass over the top to Noel Kelly to create a great goal chance but Danny Rodgers marked his return to the Dungloe colours with a wonder save. From the '45' Gaoth Dobhair worked it short for Dáire Ó Baoill to point.

Gaoth Dobhair had a second goal chance with Odhrán Mac Niallais in position to palm home a cross but once again Danny Rodgers came to Dungloe's rescue.

Ethan Harkin landed a free but Darren Curran responded with a good score as Gaoth Dobhair lost Neil McGee to injury.

Dáire Ó Baoill pointed a free but Dungloe hit back with a great goal, Ryan Brennan doing the approach work, finding Dylan Sweeney and he crossed for Ryan Greene to squeeze it home at the post.

But Gaoth Dobhair responded well with two late points on the stroke of half-time from Ethan Harkin (free) and Niall Friel. Half-time: Gaoth Dobhair 0-6, Dungloe 1-2.

Scores were hard to come by as the rain got heavier. Ethan Harkin punished a high tackle on Noel Kelly and he then hit a great score to finish a great run from Donal Mac Giolla Bhride to put three between the teams.

Ryan Connors got a much needed Dungloe score from a 40m free on 45 minutes. And the fat was in the fire on 50 minutes when Ryan Greene fired over another from play.

Cian McEntee had Gaoth Dobhair's ninth point but by the 56th minute Dungloe were on terms. Danny Rodgers landed a monster 55m free and when Gaoth Dobhair were penalised for overcarrying Ryan Greene levelled matters at 0-9 to 1-6.

Niall Friel made the vital break for what proved to be the winner. Odhrán Mac Niallais took it up and found Eamon McGee in front of the goal to fist over the winner.
Scorers for Gaoth Dobhair: Ethan Harkin 0-4,3f; Dáire Ó Baoill 0-2,1f; Niall Friel, Stephen McFadden, Cian McEntee, Eamon McGee 0-1 each.
Dungloe scorers: Ryan Greene 1-3,3f; Danny Rodgers (f), Ryan Connors (f), Darren Curran 0-1 each.

Dungloe: Danny Rodgers; Jason McBride, Conor O'Donnell, Karl McGee; Ryan Brennan, Mark Curran, Aaron Ward; Darren Curran, Ryan Connors; Dylan Sweeney, Daire Gallagher, Matthew Ward; Ryan Greene, Barry Curran, Oisin Bonner.
Subs: Shaun McGee for O Bonner (51);

Gaoth Dobhair: Daithi Roberts; James Boyle, Neil McGee, Gary McFadden; Niall Friel, Aodhan Breathnach, Michael Roarty; Michael Carroll, Donal Mac Giolla Bhride; Stephen McFadden, Odhrán Mac Niallais, Cian McEntee; Ethan Harkin, Eamon McGee, Noel Kelly.
Subs: Dáire Ó Baoill for Carroll (5); Neasan Mac Giolla Bhride for N McGee (21); Seaghan Ferry for Kelly (36); Cathal de Burca for M Roarty (55)

Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary's, Convoy)