Setanta come from behind to defeat Burt in thrilling Donegal SHC clash

A storming second half from Setanta, brilliantly led by Gerry Gilmore, gave them victory over Burt in the Donegal SHC in a pulsating affair before a big vocal crowd at the Cross.

The home side were minus Sean Ward, Steven McBride, Justin McBride, Ruairi McLaughlin and Mark Callaghan and it looked bleak for them when youthful Burt led by 3-7 to 0-10 after 24 minutes of the first half and turned over with a 3-8 to 0-12 lead at the break.

But a rejuvenated Setanta held their Inishowen opponents to just three pointed frees in the second half, aided by the slight slope and they tacked on 2-10 in that half as Burt lost full-back Ciaran Bradley to a second yellow card in the dying minutes.

On balance, Setanta deserved this win, and 38-year-old Declan Coulter was simply superb in that second half while the irrepressible Gilmore landed an impressive 1-10.

Callum Purves, Ciaran Porter and Ronan McDermott grabbed the first-half goals for the visitors. But their supply was cut off by Setanta, who ruled midfield for the duration of the second half.

This sizzling affair opened up at a ferocious rate and we had eleven points in the first ten minutes as Setanta led by 0-9 to 0-5. Oisin Marley, who was making his first appearance this year, opened the scoring for Setanta and Kieran Brady replied in a heartbeat.

Liam McKinney and  Josh McGee Cronolly swapped points as Danny Cullen and Gilomore made it 0-4 to 0-2 after five minutes as the scores came at a bewildering pace. Christopher McDermott then landed a great point for Burt.

McDermott narrowed the margin, but Marley, McGee Cronolly widened the gap in a hard-hitting affair. Liam McKinney pointed two free before Gilmore and Danny Cullen made it 0-9 to 0-5. It was then Burt struck for three goals in the space of five minutes.

The first one came in the 15th minute when Gartland placed Ciaran Porter and he hit the net. Two minutes later, a swift Burt move ended with Callum Purves netting to leave the score 2-6 to 0-10. A further 90 seconds and a shaky-looking Setanta full back line was breached and Ronan McDermott’s half-hit shot hit the net.

Suddenly Burt were 3-7 to 0-10 ahead as Brady landed another point before McKinney and Gilmore and Dean Harvey exchanged points to leave Burt leading by 3-8 to 0-12 at the break. But Setanta tightened up after the break and the turning point was a great solo goal from Gilmore to narrow the gap to 3-8 to 1-10. It was all Setanta thereafter and Burt just could not get the ball into their forwards.

Liam McKinney pointed but there was no stemming the Setanta tide as Cullen (0-2) and Gilmore (0-2, frees), Declan Coulter (0-2) made it 1-16 to 3-9 midway through the half.

Coulter was majestic in midfield and Colm Melaugh, Marley and the inevitable Gilmore made it 1-20 to 3-11 at the end of normal time. But there were several stoppages and referee James Connors played nine minutes extra time. McGee Cronolly burst through for a late goal-but the deal was sealed by that stage.

Burt tried to get back on terms but could not penetrate a much-improved Setanta defence as they held on for a valuable psychological win. Setanta play Sean MacCumhaills next while Burt has a must-win tie against St Eunan’s in Hibernian Park.

Setanta scorers: Gerry Gilmore 1-10,9f; McGee Cronolly 1-2; Oisin Marley 0-3; Declan Coulter 0-2; Danny Cullen 0-2; Dean Harvey 0-2; Fionn Farren 0-1;
Burt scorers: Liam McKinney 0-6, 5f; Ronan McDermott 1-1 Callum Purves 1-0; Ciaran Porter 1-0 Christopher McDermott 0-2; Kieran Brady 0-2.

Setanta: Kevin Campbell; Fionn Farren, Conor McGettigan, Ryan Callaghan; Ryan Coyle, Barney Lafferty, Niall Cleary; Declan Coulter, Dean Harvey; Oisin Marley, Danny Cullen, Josh McGee/Cronolly; Colm Melaugh, Gerry Gilmore, Ruairi Campbell.
Burt: Paul Burns, Ciaran Curran, Ciaran Bradley, Oisin Kelly; Kevin Curran, Christopher McDermott, Caolan McDermott; Stephen Gillespie, Dara Grant; Callum Purves, Liam McKinney, Kieran Brady; Conor Gartland, Ronan McDermott, Ciaran Porter. Subs Stephen Gallagher for Kevin Curran (54)
Referee: James Connors (St Eunan’s)