Late first half surge sets Sean MacCumhaill’s on their way against Dungloe

A purple patch in the last 10 minutes of the first half saw Sean MacCumhaill’s pull well clear of Dungloe to record an emphatic victory in their 14-a-side Senior Hurling League clash on Friday.
 
The home side in Ballybofey had this matter well sealed by the break when they led by 1-14 to 1-3. They had a bright start as they eased into a four-point lead through the impressive Chad McSorley. Dungloe responded sharply with a goal from Thomas Hartnett.

However, MacCumhaill’s regained the initiative with points from Lee Henderson (free), Conor Griffin and Jamie De Ward. It was a close affair at this stage and Dungloe responded with points from a James Hartnett free and two points from Fionntan O’Toole to leave just a point between the sides.

But that was as close as Dungloe were to getting to their stronger opponents as MacCumhaill’s upped their game and Lee Henderson, McSorley, Joel Bradley Walsh and Griffin all pointed. Henderson opened up a 10-point gap when he found the net with the deftest of touches in the 25th minute and he added a pointed free as the home side led by 1-14 to 1-3 at the break.

It did not get any better for the visitors in the second half as MacCumhaill’s asserted themselves. Fintan Griffin, who had a fine hour, landed two quick points with Henderson nailing two frees as Bradley Walsh and Griffin stretched their lead.

Patrick Bradley, Griffin and De Ward kept the scoreboard ticking with James Hartnett replying in kind for Dungloe. A Brendan Boyle point from play and a Hartentt free ended the visitors' scoring as MacCumhaill’s cruised home. 

Sean MacCumhail’s scorers: Lee Henderson 1-7, 7f; Fintan Griffin 0-7; Chad McSorley, Conor Griffin, Jamie DeWard, Joel Bradley-Walsh 0-2 each; Patrick Bradley 0-1.
Dungloe scorers:  James Hartnett 1-3,2f; Fionntan O’Toole 0-2; Brendan Boyle 0-1.

Sean MacCumhaills: Del Laverty; Davitt Bradley-Flynn, John Anthony Chambers, Eoghan Wright Conor Murphy, Jamie De Ward, Sean Brady Devenney; Chad McSorley, PJ Browne, Dean Hannigan, Fintan Griffin, Conor Griffin, Lee Henderson, Joel Bradley-Walsh Sub: Patrick Bradley for Dean Hannigan (48).
Dungloe: Philip Rodgers, Bob Ryan, Michael Power, Tristan Boyle, Thomas O’Reilly, Sean O’Donnell Browne, Eamon McGarvey, Evan McFadden, Fionntan O’Toole, Eoghan Walsh, Odhran Mulligan, James Hartnett, Brendan Boyle, Cormac Hanlon.
Referee: Trevor Maloney (Buncrana)