Four Masters dominate Dungloe as they record their first Division 2 win of 2024

Two second-half goals paved the way for Four Masters in what ended up a comfortable seven-point win over Dungloe. 

With news on Friday morning that Dungloe’s pitch was unplayable, the game was moved to Ardara, before being re-scheduled for Tír Conaill Park due to the impact of Storm Kathleen.  

And while the wind played a significant role in the game, nobody could argue that the men from Donegal Town justly deserved their win in the second round of Division 2. 

Despite the superb long-range shooting, particularly from Four Masters, the game saw no other form of entertainment, with very little excitement or eye-catching moments occurring throughout the 60 minutes of football. 

The home side took an early lead with two beautifully struck points from Senan Quinn and debutant Conor Meehan in the opening five minutes.  

But Dungloe’s goalkeeper Danny Rodgers would respond seven minutes in from a ‘45’, however, this would be the away side's only point of the half as Four Masters would take control, with particular praise going to Meehan, who was causing real trouble for Dungloe’s defense, with the young teenager hitting back-to-back scores. 

Richard O’Rourke could’ve had Four Masters’ first goal on the 20th minute when Jamie Crawford placed a long ball into Meehan who found O’Rourke running with power off the shoulder, and while the half-forward found himself one-on-one with Rodgers, he duly opted for the point. 

The running game off their inside forwards seemed to be a working formula as Aaron McCrea got his name to the scoresheet when Faulkner won a ball inside and passed it off to the Four Masters defender who put his side further ahead with a point.  

A final free from Meehan gave the boys in blue the lead they wanted as both teams marched to the dressing for the break with Kevin Sinclair’s side leading 0-7 to 0-1. 

While the home side only scored three scores in the second period, it was the two goals that proved the difference and gave them the confidence shot they needed. 

Quinn would fire over for his second point after a goal effort from Faulkner was blocked down. But Dungloe would find a brief purple patch, with Daire Gallagher finding his side’s first score since the seventh minute, while Oisín Bonner was on hand to fire over three points, two of which came from frees. 

But it was Faulkner who ended the contest on the 43rd minute when he powered an amazing shot from distance like a bullet into the top right of the net. 

Jason Duignan would also raise a green flag for Four Masters 10 minutes later when half-forward Quinn sliced a shot from outside of the boot, the resulting effort hit off the body of Duignan inside the box who finished soccer-style along the ground as Masters led 2-8 to 0-5 points. 

Dungloe would add two more points from Bonner and substitute Barry Curran, whose shot at goal blasted over the bar, but the Donegal Town men held a comfortable lead as the contest ended with a seven-point win and their first league victory of the season. 

Scorers - Four Masters: Conor Meehan 0-4, 2fs; Jason Duignan and Killian Faulkner 1-0 each; Senan Quinn 0-2, Richard O’Rourke and Aaron McCrea 0-1 each.
Dungloe: Oisin Bonner 0-4, 3fs; Barry Curran, Danny Rodgers (1 ‘45’), and Daire Gallagher 0-1 each. 

Four Masters: Ryan Haughey; Aidan McHugh, Dylan Kennedy, Brian Fegan; Seán McKiernan, Caolan Loughney, Aaron McCrea; Oisin Reid, Jason Duignan; Joe Leape, Senan Quinn, Richard O’Rourke; Jamie Crawford, Conor Meehan, Killian Faulkner. Subs: Alex McCalmont for Meehan (49); Darragh Geary for Fegan (52); Shay Travers for Crawford (56). 
Dungloe: Danny Rodgers; Jason McBride, Aaron Ward, Aaron Neely; Conor Diver, Conor O’Donnell, Ryan Brennan; Darren Curran, Matthew Ward; Dylan Sweeney, Daire Gallagher, Ethan McCaffrey; Shaun McGee, Oran Gallagher, Oisin Bonner. Subs: Barry Curran for McCaffrey (41); Christopher Boyle and Oisin McKelvey for Gallagher and Diver (54). 
Referee: Kevin McGinley (Naomh Columba)