Goals the difference for Sean MacCumhaills as they overcome Aodh Ruadh

Sean MacCumhaills were just too powerful as they outgunned an Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon side in a well-contested affair in Fr Tierney Park. 

The Twin Town men laid the foundations for this big win in a wind-assisted first half as they led by 3-12 to 0-4 at the break. 

The home side improved considerably in the second half which MacCumhaills shaded by 2-7 to 2-6. 

Gavin Browne, Fintan Griffin, and Dean Hannigan hit the goals in the first half with Aaron Toner, Griffin, Lee Henderson, Jamie De Ward, and Patrick Bradley all grabbing the points. 

Aodh Ruadh replied through the accurate Senan Rooney and Cian McKenna. 

The home side made it a closer contest on the resumption and two goals from Aaron Neilan and Rooney narrowed the margin somewhat. 

Rooney landed some fine long-range frees but MacCumhaills responded with a brilliant solo goal from Browne with Dean Hannigan adding a fifth. 

Lee Henderson converted a number of frees as MacCumhaills prevailed ahead of next week’s SHC round-robin. 

Aodh Ruadh scorers: Senan Rooney 1-8; Aaron Neilan 1-0; Kyle McNulty and Cian McKenna 0-1 each. Sean MacCumhaills’ scorers: Gavin Browne 2-2; Dean Hannigan 2-1; Lee Henderson 0-6, 6fs; Patrick Bradley 0-4; Jamie De Ward 0-3; Fintan Griffin 1-1; Aaron Toner 0-2. 

Aodh Ruadh: Tommy Clyne; Cillian Bradshaw, Adam Ramin, Aaron Neilan; Damian Weber, Ciaran Rami, Caelan Drummond; Cian McKenna, Ryan Ayres; Martin Larkin, Aaron Cullen, Tommy Winters; Cian McDonald, Senan Rooney, Kyle McNulty. 

Sean MacCumhaills: Dylan Laverty; Eoghan Wright, Kyle Tourish, Aaron McCauley; Davitt Bradley Flynn, Conor Griffin, Sean Brady-Devenney; Chad McSorley, Gavin Browne; Aaron Toner, Fintan Griffin, Dean Hannigan; Lee Henderson, Patrick Bradley, Jamie De Ward. 

Referee: Marc Brown (Four Masters)