Gaoth Dobhair come good in second half against St Eunan's to take Senior B title

Gaoth Dobhair took a while to find their feet but they came good in the second half to run out deserving winners of the Senior B Championship with victory over St Eunan’s in the curtain raiser in MacCumhaill Park.

St Eunan’s looked the better side in the opening half and scored one of the points of the game minutes into the second half to go three points clear. But they would only score one more point as Gaoth Dobhair found their shooting boots.

Two quality goals followed and in the end they were  the difference between the sides.

It took 13 minutes to register the first score of a scrappy affair with David Boyle pointing a free for St Eunan’s.

Before that St Eunan’s had two half goal chances with Eamon McGee involved in both, firstly setting up Colin Ferry but his effort was saved while a minute later a high ball into the St Eunan’s area just avoided the former county man.

St Eunan’s opened the gap to three with further points from Noel O’Donnell and David Boyle before corner-back Liam Breathnach came forward to show his forwards the way for Gaoth Dobhair on 26 minutes.

St Eunan’s extended their lead when a ‘45’ from David Boyle came back off the upright and Philip Doherty was on hand to fire over.

Two minutes into added time Sean O Baoill had Gaoth Dobhair’s only other point from a free.

Half-time: Gaoth Dobhair 0-2, St Eunan’s 0-4.

Brandan Jordan had the score of the game two minutes into the second half, lofting over from inside the 45.

Gaoth Dobhair were denied a goal by the crossbar when Sean O’Baoill hit a rasper but they got something when Peter McGee tapped over the rebound.

The goal they threatened arrived on 40 minutes with Jamie Doherty breaking from defence and the ball passed through a few hands before Fergal Delaney lashed to the roof of the St Eunan’s net to edge Gaoth Dobhair into the lead for the first time.

Sean O Baoill doubled the lead on 46 minutes and they were on their way when Eamon McGee found Martin Coyle in space and he found the corner of the St Eunan’s net two minutes later.

Neil McGee came forward to add to the Gaoth Dobhair lead but David Boyle replied and Oisin Scanlon almost had a goal for  St Eunan’s, who tried a few high balls without success

Gaoth Dobhair scorers: Fergal Delaney, Martin Coyle 1-0 each; Sean O Baoill 0-2,1f; Liam Breathnach, Peter McGee, Neil McGee 0-1 each.

St. Eunan’s scorers: David Boyle 0-3,1f; Brandon Jordan, Philip Doherty, Noel O’Donnell 0-1 each.

Gaoth Dobhair: Gavin Sweeney; Liam Breathnach, Sean Rua Gallagher, Cian McBride; Fergal Delaney, Neil McGee, Cathal de Burca; Peter McGee, Sean Doherty; Oisin Diver, Sean Boyle, Sean McBride; Colin Ferry, Eamon McGee, Jamie Doherty.

Subs: Martin Coyle for O Diver (ht); Eamon McBride for C McBride (35); Cronan McFadden for C Ferry (39); Darragh McGee for S Doherty (52); Lee McBride for S O Baoill (59)

St Eunan’s: Chris O’Donnell; Peter Devine, Padraig Hughes, Josh Hay; Bryan Drum, Sean Ryan, Noah Barrett; Brandan Jordan, Jordan O’Dowd; Philip Doherty, Cormac Finn, Oisin Scanlon; David Boyle, Dylan Doogan, Noel O’Donnell.

Subs:Conor Harley for C O’Donnell (ht); Eddie Blake for D Doogan (45);Sam Harvey and David Horgan for Finn and Jordan (both 52); Conal McGinley for Hughes (57)

Referee: Mark McGlinchey (MacCumhaill’s)