Kilcar lift Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta following victory over Gaoth Dobhair

It was Kilcar’s day from start to finish, as they eased their way to victory against Gaoth Dobhair in the senior final of Donegal’s Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta in Falcarragh.

Kilcar, who saw Matthew McClean score eight points, were in control for long periods until the end when Gaoth Dobhair began to apply pressure with the long ball as they hunted for a goal. But it was too little too late by then with Eoin McHugh lifting the trophy over an overcast Cloughaneely.

It was McClean who landed his side on the scoreboard first from a free off his right after Oran Doogan was fouled when running through on goal. McClean added his second when under severe pressure as the men from Towney found their feet playing much more fluid and relaxed on the ball.

Cian McEntee would land Gaoth Dobhair’s first point in the ninth minute after a Daithí Roberts’ free hit off the post and fell for McEntee to slot over off his right.

It looked far easier for Kilcar, particularly in their movement off the ball, with support runners at all angles. With the men in blue and gold deploying Ciaran McGinley inside, they used his strength and height to their advantage with the full-forward kicking over after a long ball in by Mark McHugh.

Cathal Gillespie would pop over Gaoth Dobhair’s first free after 14 minutes to put one point back between the sides following a foul on the left wing, inside Kilcar’s 45-metre line.

But the south-west Donegal side was too strong when running through the defence at speed as they pinged over two more points, first a towering score from Stephen McBrearty, 40 metres out, before McClean nailed over his third of the afternoon.

With neither team giving an inch and both sides remaining patient on the ball, it took a long time for the match to spring to life, but as the first half entered its final five minutes, both Kilcar and Gaoth Dobhair hit a point a piece, the first coming from McGinley for Kilcar, while Aodhan Breathnach shot from long range off his right.

McClean would add his fourth and fifth point back-to-back on the 29th minute to make it 0-8 to 0-3 at the break.

Adam Mac Íomhair would open the second half with a point 40 metres out after Kilcar’s McGinley hit the post from a simple shot in the opening minutes. It was also clear that the men in green were sharpening up on their defensive marking, by not letting Kilcar through as easy.

Ethan Harkin would make it a one-score game from a very tricky angle off his left, but McClean would once again keep the scoreboard ticking for Kilcar as he nailed perhaps the point game as he was being chased by three defenders.

The game started to come to life as the minutes ticked on. Gaoth Dobhair’s Gillespie fired over an outrageous sideline point to make it 0-9 to 0-6 for Kilcar.

But like previously, once Gaoth Dobhair looked to have any hope of making a comeback, Kilcar would edge in front, with McClean hitting over his seventh of the afternoon before Mark Sweeney would nail his first in the 44th minute.

With McClean nailing his eighth point of the afternoon and with Gaoth Dobhair failing to break through Kilcar’s defenders, it all looked set for the cup to be returning to Towney.

With five minutes remaining, Stephen McFadden would hit his first point of the game for Gaoth Dobhair to make it a two-score contest, but there was nothing further Gaoth Dobhair could do as Kilcar clinched back the Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta.

Kilcar scorers: Matthew McClean 0-8, 4fs; Ciaran McGinley 0-2; Mark Sweeney and Stephen McBrearty 0-1.
Gaoth Dobhair scorers: Cathal Gillespie 0-3 2f; Ethan Harkin 0-2, 1f; Cian McEntee, Adam Mac Íomhair, Ciaran McGinley (Own Point), Stephen McFadden and Aodhan Breathnach 0-1 each.

Kilcar: Kevin Campbell; Ryan McShane, Brian O’Donnell, Pauric Carr; Oran Doogan, Mark McHugh, Barry McGinley; Ciaran McGinley, Eoin McHugh; Paddy McShane, Conor Doherty, Matthew McClean; Ryan O’Donnell, Stephen McBrearty, Mark Sweeney. Subs: Pauric McShane for McShane (53), Conor O’Donnell for Sweeney (58), Eoin Cormack for McShane (64)
Gaoth Dobhair: Daithí Roberts; Aodhan Breathnach, Eamonn McBride, Fergal Delaney; Adam Mac Íomhair, Niall Friel, Sean Ó Gallchoir; Danny Cullen, Sean Doherty; Stephen McFadden, Fionnan Coyle, Ethan Harkin; Cathal Gillespie, Michael Roarty, Cian McEntee. Subs: Gary McFadden for Ó Gallchoir (38), Cathal de Burca for Coyle (47), Peter McGee for Doherty (53 mins), Neasa Mac Giolla Bhríde for Delaney (58)
Referee: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhánada)