Goath Dobhair defeat MacCumhaill's for first Donegal SFC final spot in four years

Gaoth Dobhair’s ability to grab goals at the right time and keep them out at the other end were the deciding factors in their Donegal SFC semi-final success over an Oisin Gallen-inspired Sean MacCumhaill’s.

Gaoth Dobhair 3-9 Sean MacCumhaill’s 0-11

Gallen was brilliant over the course of the hour, kicking 10 points when double and even triple-marked.

At the other end, Gaoth Dobhair’s Ethan Harkin also had a splendid afternoon with 1-5, with Odhrán MacNiallais’ penalty and a second-half goal from Stephen Donna McFadden setting up a first final appearance for the club since the 2019 trilogy against Naomh Conaill.

In injury time, MacCumhaill’s goalkeeper Eoin Gallen was sent off for his part in an incident with Peter McGee, with Joel Bradley Walsh forced to spend the last play in goal. However, by then it was done and dusted.

MacCumhaill’s were chasing a first senior final appearance in 19 years and to make that leap they’d have wished for a decent start. They didn’t get it though as Gaoth Dobhair as early as the eighth minute had established a lead of five points.

Harkin had two early points - one from play and then another from a free - on the board before Odhrán MacNiallais’ penalty which he fired past Eoin Gallen. Referee Mark Dorrian was left with little doubt when awarding to kick following a heavy challenge by Ruarí Callaghan on Niall Friel.

Oisin Gallen’s showing in the quarter-final victory over Glenswilly, where he kicked 1-9, was the performance of September’s last weekend. For any chance of a repeat, he would have to negotiate his way past Gary McFadden and Neil McGee, who was covering.

Gallen, though, managed to get his team going in the 16th minute with an arced finish and would finish the half with four points - the last of which was a brilliant effort from the left-hand-side.

However, Gaoth Dobhair’s Harkin also knocked over four in the opening half, keeping MacCumhaill’s at one of those arm’s length leads. Stephen Donna McFadden, who came on for Gavin McBride, and Daire Ó Baoill were also on the scoresheet. At the break, it was Gaoth Dobhair who had worked themselves into a good position at 1-6 to 0-4 in front.

Seven days earlier, MacCumhaill’s had come from seven down at a stage to book their semi-final tickets, while Gaoth Dobhair’s eventual nine-point win over Ardara was so unpredictable it meant they’d not been resting on any laurels.

Gallen scored another great score to take MacCumhaill’s back to within four, although a minute later - on 35 - Gaoth Dobhair had managed to score a fine second goal. Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde skipped in around the back and centred for Harkin to gleefully slap in and Gaoth Dobhair were 2-6 to 0-5 to the good.

MacCumahill’s responded well, with Joel Bradley Walsh hitting a point and two more from Gallen to leave it 2-6 to 0-8. But, just like earlier in the half, just when the Twin Towns side looked to be gaining a foothold, Gaoth Dobhair went down the other end and goaled.

This time the runner was Ó Baoill, who cut his way through and laid off to his left for McFadden to sweep home from the floor on 46 minutes for a 3-6 to 0-8 advantage for Ronan MacNiallais and Francie Friel’s team.

Gallen would carry the fight for MacCumhaill’s till the bitter end, but points from corner-back Aodán Breathnach, as well as Harkin and Ó Baoil scores made sure for Gaoth Dobhair.

Gaoth Dobhair scorers: Ethan Harkin 1-5, 2f; Stephen Donna McFadden 1-1; Odhrán Mac Niallais 1-0, 1-0 pen; Daire Ó Baoill 0-2, 1f; Aodán Breathnach 0-1.
Seán MacCumhaill’s: Oisin Gallen 0-10, 4f, 2m; Joel Bradley Walsh 0-1.

Gaoth Dobhair: Daithí Roberts; Aodán Breathnach, Neil McGee, Gary McFadden; Niall Friel, Eamon McGee, Michéal Roarty; Daire Ó Baoill, Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde; Seaghan Ferry, Odhrán Mac Niallais, James Ó Baoill; Ethan Harkin, Gavin McBride Cian McEntee. Subs: Stephen Donna McFadden for G McBride (9), Cathal de Búrca for McEntee (48), Neasán Mac Giolla Bhríde for Ferry (56), Peter McGee and Noel Kelly for Roarty and Harkin (59)

Seán MacCumhaill’s: Eoin Gallen; Cian Mulligan, Ruarí Callaghan, Aaron Gillooley; Shaun McMenamin, Andrew McCloskey, Sean Martin; Joe Boyle, Steven O’Reilly; Conor McGinty., Jamie Keegan, Chad McSorley; Joel Bradley Walsh, Oisin Gallen, Kevin McCormack. Subs: Sean Breen for McCormack (half-time), Adam Lynch for Callaghan (50). Subs: Garry Dunnion for S O’Reilly (55)

Referee: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhánada)