Glenswilly remain unbeaten in Division 1 after battling past Gaoth Dobhair

Glenswilly maintained their unbeaten start to Division 1 of the All-County Football League League with a hard-fought win over Gaoth Dobhair.

Gary McDaid’s side followed up with their opening day win over Glenfin and last weekend’s draw with St Michael’s at the  Bridge with a narrow win. Two points separated the teams at the finish with the locals claiming the two precious league points.

Christopher McMonagle and Eoghan Scott scored the goals. McMonagle struck for the first four minutes in when he fisted a long ball in from Shane McDevitt past Daniel Roarty in the Gaoth Dobhair goal.

It was a timely score for Glenswilly, who played with the aid of a strong wind in the first half after Gaoth Dobhair applied all the early pressure and Ethan Harkin kicked the first of his three points.

The goal was followed by two quick-fire points from Kealan Dunleavy and Gary McFadden, which opened up an early Glenswilly lead of 1-3 to 0-1.

A super goal in the early seconds of the second quarter by Eoin De Burca, after being sent clear by Stephen Donna McFadden, brought Gaoth Dobhair right back into the match.

When Harkin pointed a monster point from way out on the left wing the sides were level with 10 minutes left in the half.

When a sustained period of Gaoth Dobhair pressure yielded no score, Glenswilly took full advantage and thanks to strikes from Dunleavy and Oisin McDaid, took a two-point lead, 1-4 to 1-2, to the dressing rooms at half-time.

Cathal Gillespie drew early blood for Gaoth Dobhair at the start of the second half with a fine point to cut the Glenswilly lead to one.

But with Mikey Toner - on his first start for Glenswilly’s seniors - tracking Harkin to great effect and Jake Kelly, Jack Gallagher and Oisin McDaid all manning up in defence, Gaoth Dobhair made little headway.

Glenswilly grew stronger as the second half progressed. And their tails were up 20 minutes into the second period when Scott took a ball on the run to hammer to the back of the Gaoth Dobhair net. Glenswilly led 2-5 to 1-3 with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.

Gaoth Dobhair did mount a late charge but all they had for their efforts were three late points off the boots of Niall Friel, Harkin and Seaghain Ó Fearraigh.

Glenswilly ended the game with 14 players after Dunleavy picked up a red following yellow and black card offences, while Kieran Gillespie also saw for the line for two bookings. Gaoth Dobhair coach Francie Friel also ended up watching the closing minutes from behind the wire after being shown a red card by referee Ryan Walsh.

Glenswilly scorers: Christopher McMonagle and Eoghan Scott 1-0; Kealan Dunleavy 0-2, 2f, Gary McFadden, Jack Gallagher, Oisin McDaid and Sean Collum 0-1 each.
Gaoth Dobhair scorers: Eoin De Burca 1-0, Ethan Harkin 0-3, Cathal Gillespie 0-2, Niall Friel, Seaghain Ó Fearraigh 0-1.

Glenswilly: Oisin McGrenra; Mikey Toner Jamie McCauley, Jake Kelly; Oisin McDaid, Jack Gallagher, Sean Collum; Kealan Dunleavy, Gary McFadden; Eoghan Scott, Shaun Wogan, Aidan Friel; Shane McDevitt, Christopher McMonagle, Caolan Kelly. Subs: Ruairi Crawford and Daire Enright for Wogan and McMonagle (40).
Gaoth Dobhair: Daniel Roarty; Eamonn Mac Giolla Bhride, Danny Curran, Sean Noel McFadden; Cathal de Burca, Niall Friel, Neasán Mac Giolla Bhríde; Kieran Gillespie, Sean Doherty; Stephen Donna McFadden, Cian MacEntee, Fionnan Mac Giolla Chomhaill; Ethan Harkin, Eoin de Burca, Cathal Gillespie. Subs: Seaghain Ó Fearraigh for Sean Doherty (36); Fearghal Delaney for N Mac Giolla Bhríde (45); Gary McFadden for Ó Fearraigh (48); Ó Fearraigh for C De Burca (56).
Referee: Ryan Walsh (Bundoran).