Glenfin edge past Killybegs but fail to push out of the relegation zone

It was a case of so close and yet so far for battling Glenfin as they fell just three points off safety after a fine second-half display in Fintra. 

They needed to beat Killybegs by six points to avoid the relegation play-offs and they were leading by 2-8 to 0-9 as the game headed into injury-time as excitement mounted in a crackling affair. 

Coming into the dying minutes Luke McGlynn hared down the wing and the ball was crossed to impact sub Gerard Ward who slipped the ball to the net. 

But the goal did not stand as referee Connie Doherty had blown for an earlier Glenfin infringement and midfielder Jason Morrow was black-carded. 

Killybegs hit back with two points as the Glenfin men were left to wonder what if, while Killybegs advanced into the preliminary quarter-finals. 

A cold swirling wind made this tie very much a lottery and Glenfin had a sensational start when McGlynn hit a high lob that Killybegs' goalkeeper Josh Colyer spilled and Odhran O’Connor flicked the ball to the net. 

The home side responded well and levelled matters through points from Eavan Broderick, Seamie Óg Byrne, and a pointed free from the hard-working Hugh McFadden who made it 0-4 to 1-0 for the hosts, but the lively O’Connor struck back to level matters. 

A pointed Shaun Ward free put the visitors in front but two Ryan Cuningham points put the home side ahead by 1-2 to 0-6 at the break. 

Glenfin were struck a big blow when Mark McGinty Jnr was stretchered off with a serious leg injury eight minutes from the break. 

Jack McSharry increased that lead on the resumption after a great solo point but Daniel Marley narrowed the gap for Glenfin and sub Odhran McGlynn levelled matters for the visitors who were showing all their traditional championship fight. 

Marley made it 1-6 to 0-7 as Glenfin threw on Gerard Ward who made a big impression as Killybegs were unable to mount any really serious attacks. 

McFadden and Shaun Ward swapped points as the game edged into the final quarter. 

McFadden landed a fine effort into the wind, but this was countered by a soaring Luke McGlynn point that put Glenfin into a 1-8 to 0-9 lead. 

Realising that they needed a big score Glenfin stormed upfield and Gerard Ward set up Luke McGlynn for a goal to leave them five points in front. 

The calls from their bench was, to go for a goal as Killybegs struggled to stay with them and that goal came when Ward found himself clear after Killybegs' goalkeeper Colyer lost possession, but referee Doherty had his hand raised for the earlier infringement. 

Killybegs got their two final points from Ryan Cunningham and Evan Broderick as Glenfin ponder on what might have been. 

Killybegs scorers: Hugh McFadden 0-6, 6fs; Ryan Cunningham 0-3; Seamie Óg Byrne and Rory Colyer 0-1 each. Glenfin scorers: Luke McGlynn and Odhran O’Connor 1-1 each; Shaun Ward 2fs and Daniel Marley 0-2 each; Jason Morrow and Odhran McGlynn 0-1 each. 

Killybegs: Josh Colyer; Eoin McGing, Cillian Gildea, Ryan Carr; Christopher Mulligan, Seamie Óg Byrne, Eoin Mulligan; Evan Broderick, Rory Colyer; Mark Finnerty, Paul Cunningham, Odhran McGuinness; Ryan Cunningham, Hugh McFadden, Jack McSharry. Subs: John Ban Gallagher for Paul Cunningham (h-time). 

Glenfin: Kaine McGlynn; Martin O’Donnell, Ross Marley, Jack Long; Stephen Carr, Frank McGlynn, Mark McGinty Jnr; Stephen Ward, Jason Morrow; Daniel Marley, Shaun Ward, Aaron McGlynn; Ciaran Brady, Luke McGlynn, Odhran O’Connor. Subs: Odhran McGlynn for Mark McGinty (23), Gerard Ward for Aaron McGlynn (41), Daniel McGlynn for Ciaran Brady (52). 

Referee: Connie Doherty (Naomh Conaill)