Four Masters prove too strong for Cloughaneely as they go top of the table

Four Masters showed their true dominance in Tír Conaill Park on Sunday which resulted in them leap frogging to the top of Division 2 for the first time this season as they easily overcame Cloughaneely, limiting the north Donegal side to one point for the hour. 

There was very little competitive action throughout, with the Donegal Town men showing their true dominance and why they deserve to be in Division 1 next season. Their movement was impeccable, with their scoring even better, whereas Cloughaneely has been struggling with players leaving the country and will hope to have a solid team come the championship. 

But for Four Masters, this result is just another step on their way to promotion.  

Cloughaneely opted for a defensive structure in what were already dire conditions. Their aim seemed to be to keep the scoreline as low and as tight as possible.  

But that’s not how Four Masters saw it, with the boys in blue altering their attacks from long-ranged kicks to players breaking the defensive lines off the shoulder. 

Aidan McHugh, who was solid with Dylan Kennedy in the full-back line, was the first to add his name on the scoreboard, as he broke the Clouganeely defense, and skipped past two players to point over. 

Seán Maguire would level the match on the sixth minute from a ‘mark’, but this would be his side’s only point of the game. 

They did keep Four Masters at bay for a brief period until Kevin Sinclair’s side kicked into gear inside the second quarter. 

Jamie Crawford, Joe Leape, and Killian Faulkner would all add their names to the scoreboard inside the final 10 minutes of the half, with Leape unfortunate that one of his scores didn’t end up in the back of the net when he was fed through by Faulkner, only for the half-forward to kick over instead. 

Cloughaneely were getting into scoreable positions, but just could land their names on the board, as the home side brought the curtain down on the first half as they led 0-5 to 0-1 but knew they could’ve been further ahead. 

Alex McCalmont’s goal in the opening minute of the second half finished the contest when he was fed through by Faulkner, leaving it for the forward to slot home. 

But Four Masters refused to give in, with their conditioning and fitness on the field ought to be applauded with, again, Faulkner, Crawford, and McCalmont adding their names to the scoresheet with long-ranged points and easily cutting through the Cloughaneely defense.  

Crawford would easily nail home the second goal of the afternoon on the 58th minute, but at that stage, the game was as good as done, with Masters topping the table in a 2-11 to 0-1 win, as Killybegs now fall into second place with a game in hand. 

Scorers – Four Masters: Jamie Crawford 1-3, 1f; Alex McCalmont 1-2; Killian Faulkner 0-3, 2fs; Joe Leape 0-2; Aidan McHugh 0-1. Cloughaneely: Seán Maguire 0-1, 1M. 

Four Masters: Ryan Haughey; Aidan McHugh, Dylan Kennedy, Brian Fegan; Seán McKiernan, Caolan Loughney, David Monaghan; Patrick Reid, Conor Reid; Richard O’Rourke, Aaron McCrea, Joe Leape; Killian Faulkner, Jamie Crawford, Alex McCalmont. Subs: Oisin Reid for McKiernan (43 mins); Callum McCrea for McHugh (45 mins); Jason Duignan for Faulkner (49 mins); Ross O’Keeney for Loughney (55 mins); Caolan Sweeney for Monaghan (55 mins). 

Cloughaneely: Seán MacLaifeartaigh; Padraig MacCumhaill, Ciaran Scanlon, Micheál Fitzgearld; Seán Ó Geibheannach, Cian McFadden, Remy Moran; Cathal Mac Íomhair, Ciarán Ó Colla; Padraig Ó Dubhchoin, Seán Mac Gearailt, Darren Ferry; Lorcan McHugh, Seán Mac Cairbleith, Seán Maguire. Subs Used: Stefan Curran, Michael McHugh, Tómas Ó Raghallaigh 

Referee: Connie Doherty