Four Masters win U-21A against Glenswilly in classic final

In what was arguably the game of the year, Four Masters were made battle to the final whistle to take the U-21A title against Glenswilly in Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon.

Gaelic football is alive and well and the main comments after this enthralling contest was there was no great need for rule changes. Over 1,500 patrons were treated to a classic with the Donegal Town side leading by six coming up to half-time but then had to come from three down after 38 minutes.

They showed remarkable character when it was put up to them with corner-back Daniel McGinty, outstanding in the opening half in defence, got forward to start the comeback. He was helped by the classy Calum McCrea, the Carr brothers and especially Conor McCahill in the final quarter.

Glenswilly did really well to make a game of it and two goals in quick succession before half-time left the game all square. Shane Tinney was outstanding for the losers while the pace of Donal Gallagher, Jamie McCauley and Reid Kelly deserved better with Daithi Gildea also heavily involved.

Four Masters had the aid of the slight breeze and looked in control for much of the first half. Turlough Carr was involved in much of the action and set up brother Seanán for a mark to open the scoring.

Seanán added a second from a free; Conor Reid added the third and Seanán won and pointed another free for a four point advantage after 12 minutes.

Daithi Gildea got Glenswilly on the mark on 14 minutes and a couple of great interceptions by Daniel McGinty denied them two more chances. Conor McCahill went for goal when he probably should have taken a point but the ball broke to Tiarnan McBride. His shot was blocked and Oisin Doherty hit an upright with the rebound.

But two mighty points from Turlough Carr inside a minute had the Donegal Town men in control 0-6 to 0-1.

Daithi Gildea won a free for Shane Tinney to fire over and Tinney then chased a lost cause and hit another great score to cut the lead to 0-6 to 0-3.

Four Masters looked to be back in control on 27 minutes when Conor Reid touched on for Conor McCahill to drive through and fire with his right to the net. 

A minute later McCahill was quickly onto a kick-out and dribbled through on the ground. He seemed to be pushed. There was no free and it was a big turning point as Glenswilly went upfield and Daithi Gildea found Pauric Devine in support to fire to the roof of the net.

It got better for Neil Gallagher’s men as in added time Reid Kelly found himself in possession from Gildea and he chipped the Four Masters ‘keeper to leave the sides level at the break - Four Masters 1-6, Glenswilly 2-3.

Calum McCrea on the ball for Four Masters against Reid Kelly of Glenswilly Picture: Evan Logan

We were treated to a classic second half with Oisin McGrenra putting Glenswilly ahead for the first time after 26 seconds and Tiarnan McBride replying within a minute.

Shane Tinney with two frees opened a two point gap for Glenswilly and Mark Bonner added another on 41 minutes.

The character of Four Masters was to be tested and it was corner back, Daniel McGinty, who was impressive in the opening half, who showed them the way, getting forward to cut the deficit. By the 47th minute the Donegal Town boys were back in front as they reeled off points from Calum McCrea, Conor Reid (free) and Conor McCahill to go back in  front.

After a great kick-out Reid Kelly had Glenswilly level again at 1-11 to 2-8 in the 48th minute. However, the Glen side could only manage one more point before the final whistle.

Conor Meehan came in from the bench for Four Masters and kicked a great point from play and another from a free as the lively McCahill was now causing problems for Glenswilly.

Four Masters really should have had a second goal on 50 minutes with McCahill’s effort bringing out a great block from Donal Gallagher, but it fell for Tiarnan McBride who lashed it off the crossbar from close range.

Kevin Muldoon was also through and he went for goal it was saved by John Quinn. And we wondered if those would be costly when Shane Tinney cut the deficit to the minimum from a free with three minutes left.

But Seanan Carr steadied the Four Masters ship with a free and in added time Senan Quinn put them on their way.

Four Masters celebrate their U-21A success Picture Evan Logan

Four Masters scorers: Seanán Carr 0-4,3f,m; Conor McCahill 1-1; Conor Reid (1f), Conor Meehan (1f), Turlough Carr (1m) 0-2 each; Daniel McGinty, Tiarnan McBride, Senan Quinn 0-1 each.

Glenswilly scorers: Shane Tinney 0-5,4f; Reid Kelly 1-1; Pauric Devine 1-0; Mark Bonner, Oisin McGrenra, Daithi Gildea 0-1 each.

Four Masters: Lewis McCaughan; Theo Colhoun, Josh McCrea, Daniel McGinty; Caolan Sweeney, Callum McCrea, David Monaghan; Conor Reid, Tiarnan McBride; Senan Quinn, Turlough Carr, Kevin Muldoon; Conor McCahill, Seanán Carr, Oisin Doherty.

Subs: Conor Meehan for O Doherty (38); Ethan McNulty for Colhoun (60)

Glenswilly: John Quinn; Mikey Toner, Jake Kelly, Dylan McAteer; Oisin McDaid, Donal Gallagher, Pauric Devine; Jamie McCauley, Darragh Enright; Mark Bonner, Reid Kelly, Gary Kelly; Shane Tinney, Daithi Gildea, Oisin McGrenra.

Subs: Aiden Friel for G Kelly (40); Conor Kelly and Mark Collum for McGrenra and Enright (both 58)

Referee: Shane Murrin (Killybegs)