Captain Jamie Doherty delighted with Gaoth Dobhair win in Senior B final

Gaoth Dobhair made up for losing last year's Senior B decider to Aodh Ruadh with their win over St Eunan's in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey on Sunday.

In the end they had five points to spare over St Eunan's with two second half goals the deciding scores in the end.

Captain Jamie Doherty was a proud man lifting the cup especially after losing out so narrowly in last year's final.

"We're delighted. We were here last year and we lost by a point and it was terrible. The boys were all down. But this year we put in the effort. We put a new team together, a new structure with young lads and old lads.

"And maybe it was this year with the old lads, who had the heads and the desire that has taken us over the line," said Doherty.

And it probably helped that they had the three McGee brothers, Eamon, Neil and Peter, on board.

"The three McGees were brilliant; they have been at the highest level over the years and they helped us take it over the line."

For long periods though Gaoth Dobhair played second fiddle to St Eunan's with the Letterkenny side dominating in the opening half.

"It was very frustrating in the first half. We played well as a defensive unit and we got the ball up the field. But maybe there was a wee bit of wind there and it was tight on the boys. Maybe nerves at the start of the game.

"We regrouped at half-time and we took on a few subs and the subs made a huge difference."

Jamie Doherty, Gaoth Dobhair, in action during Sunday's Senior B final

But when they did get going, Gaoth Dobhair looked a much more potent outfit. The first goal from wing-back Fergal Delaney was probably the big turning point of the game as it edged Gaoth Dobhair ahead for a point for the first time in the contest.

Captain Doherty was at the start of the move deep in his own defence.

"Fergal's goal was brilliant. We turned over in defence and we worked it up the pitch and Fergal kept his run going from the back and it was a brilliant finish. And that, maybe, did turn the tide in the second half and we kept it going then," said Doherty.

The second goal came when Eamon McGee provided a defence splitting pass for Martin Coyle and he finished in style.

"Martin came off the bench and he stuck that goal away beautifully. That gave us a wee bit of a lead that we could sit back on and cover our goal."

Doherty was happy to get success for Gaoth Dobhair, especially with the seniors getting knocked out at the semi-final stage.

"It is brilliant to get silverware again back to Gaoth Dobhair. From the U-21s last year, we all stood up and we have come up through the reserves. The seniors were unlucky this year so we had to try to take silverware back to Gaoth Dobhair," said Doherty.