Aodh Ruadh far too good for Cloughaneely in relegation play-off

Goals from Shane McGrath and Jack Gallagher in the opening half eased Aodh Ruadh out of the relegation battle in a game that turned out to be very one-sided.

The Ballyshannon side were on the front foot after Shane McGrath rattled in the first goal. They led by 2-5 to 0-5 at half-time and when they scored the first four points of the second half there was no way back for Cloughaneely, who are suffering the loss of Jason McGee.

Aodh Ruadh got off to a whirlwind start after just 10 seconds with Matt Gillespie pointing. Mark McGlynn added a second after three minutes.

Cloughaneely were back on terms by the ninth minute through veteran Shaun Maguire. He was helped for his second by great work by Ethan Friel keeping the ball alive.

But Aodh Ruadh struck for the first goal on 11 minutes when Shane McGrath broke through and played a one-two with Oisin Rooney to fire low to the net.

Sean McGarvey hit back with a free but Aodh Ruadh were 2-3 to 0-3 ahead on 18 minutes. Jack Gallagher pointed a free won by Mark  McGlynn and then was on the end of a slick move involving Eddie Lynch, Nathan Boyle and Darren Drummond to find the corner.

Conor Coyle and a brilliant long range effort from Ciaran Coyle cut the lead but before half-time Jack Gallagher added another free and after a quick transition from a turnover won by Eamonn McGrath, David Dolan fired over.

Half-time: Aodh Ruadh 2-5, Cloughaneely 0-5.

Aodh Ruadh started the second half like the first with Mark McGlynn fouled and Jack Gallagher pointing. Michael McKenna, Oisin Rooney (half goal chance) and Jack Gallagher added quick points.

It took 11 minutes into the half before Sean McGarvey hit a Cloughaneely point from a free but Jack Gallagher soon cancelled that.

From there to the final whistle there was always going to be one winner. The Aodh Ruadh points flowed through Johnny Gethins, Darren Drummond, Senan Rooney and Diarmaid McInerney.

Aodh Ruadh scorers: Jack Gallagher 1-5,4f; Shane McGrath 1-0; Matthew Gillespie 0-2; David Dolan, Mark McGlynn, Johnny Gethins Darren Drummond, Oisin Rooney, Senan Rooney, Diarmaid McInerney, Michael McKenna 0-1 each.

Cloughaneely scorers: Shaun Maguire 0-2; Sean McGarvey 0-3,3f; Blake McGarvey 0-2,1f., Conor Coyle, Ciaran Coll 0-1 each.

Aodh Ruadh: Aaron Cullen; Aidan Sweeny, Conor Patton, Eddie Lynch; Johnny Gethins, Eamonn McGrath, Michael McKenna; Darren Drummond, Matthew Gillespie; Nathan Boyle, Shane McGrath, David Dolan; Mark McGlynn, Oisin Rooney, Jack Gallagher.

Subs: Senan Rooney for D Dolan; Cian Rooney for N Boyle; Niall Murray for McKenna; Diarmaid McInerney for S McGrath; Colm McGloin 

Cloughaneely: Shaun McClafferty; Cian McFadden, Michael Fitzgerald, Remy Moran; Sean Geaney, Ronan Cannon, Conor Coyle; Darren McGeever, Ethan Friel; Ciaran Coll, Darren Ferry, Seamus Doogan; Shaun Maguire, Sean McGarvey, Blake McGarvey.

Subs: Padraig MacCumhaill for Maguire (39); Michael McHugh for D Ferry (45); Cathal McGeever

Referee: Marc Brown (Four Masters)