Gaoth Dobhair see off Gleann tSúilí in Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta opener 

Gaoth Dobhair went to Pairc Naomh Columba on Saturday evening and edged a very entertaining Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta opener against hosts Gleann tSúilí. 

And it was Ronan Mac Niallais’ side’s ability to find the back of the net that ultimately told at the weekend as a brace of first-half goals went some way to deciding this one. 

With Ethan Ó hEarcain nailing that brace, the visitors went in 2-9 to 0-7 clear at the break. But with Gary McDaid’s hosts much-improved on the restart, the second-half was a really gung-ho affair. 

At the outset, Fionnan Mac Giolla Chomhaill and Eamonn Ó Coilm quickly moved Gaoth Dobhair two in front as successive kicked transitions reaped their reward. 

Mark Bonner then got Gleann tSúilí moving but on nine minutes, with Gaoth Dobhair again looking to find their inside trio through the laces, Stiofan Mac Phaidin’s direct sourcing of Mac Giolla Chomhaill seen the latter tee up Ó hEarcain for the close-range finish. 

Oisin McGrenra and Ó hEarcain swapped frees to then leave it 1-3 to 0-2 but three on the bounce from the hosts, through Shane Tinney (free), Pauric Devine and a super individual point from Reid Kelly, left just one in it. 

Still, Gaoth Dobhair picked up the pace once more in the second quarter as wing-back Cathal De Burca pointed and Ó hEarcain blasted in a second three-pointer to propel their side out to 2-4 on 20 minutes.

Éamonn Ó Coilm and Stiofan Mac Phaidin also registered as Gaoth Dobhair continued to turn the screw in what was now a 2-6 to 0-5 encounter.

Cillian Bonner reduced the deficit to six but another Gaoth Dobhair blitz, three on the trot on this occasion, through a brace of Ó hEarcain frees and a Niall Ó Frighil effort from play, left it 2-9 to 0-6 on the brink of half-time. 

And while McGrenra did snatch the last point of the opening half hour from a free for Gleann tSúilí, eight separated the sides at the interval.    

A huge two-pointer free from Tinney got the hosts off the mark in purposeful fashion on the restart before Cathal Mac Giolla Easpuig got in at the other end. 

Éamonn Ó Coilm, Fionnan Mac Giolla Chomhaill, twice, and a two-pointer free off the boot of  Ó hEarcain then propelled the visitors 12 clear at 2-15 to 0-9 by the 42 minute. 

Gleann tSúilí, to their credit, continued to battle and through efforts from Reid Kelly, another brilliant Tinney two-pointer free, McGrenra and Tinney once more from close range strike, left it 2-15 to 0-13 approaching the last ten minutes. 

Cathal Mac Giolla Easpuig and a classy two-pointer from play from replacement Gary ‘Copper’ McFadden on the extreme left, then reeled the deficit into seven. 

Tinney again let fly from outside the arc and matters were closed to five. However, Gaoth Dobhair again found top gear and after a hard-earned turnover, raced clear with corner-back Sean Ó Gallchoir getting on the end of all of that to post. 

Ó Coilm from a free and Fionnan Mac Giolla Chomhaill kept the home side at a comfortable arm’s length nearing the hour mark and while Tinney did launch his fourth two-pointer late on, Ó Coilm had the last say for Gaoth Dobhair as they advanced. 

Gleann tSúilí scorers: Shane Tinney 0-9, 2 2pt, 2 2ptf, 1f; Oisin McGrenra 0-3,3f; Reid Kelly 0-2; Gary McFadden 0-2, 1tp;  Pauric Devine 0-1; Cillian Bonner 0-1; Mark Bonner 0-1.

Gaoth Dobhair scorers: Ethan hEarcain 2-6, 1tp; Éamonn Ó Coilm 0-5,2f;  Fionnan Mac Giolla Chomhaill 0-4; Stiofan Mac Phaidin 0-1; Cathal De Burca 0-1; Niall Ó Frighil 0-1; Sean Ó Gallchoir 0-1. 

Gleann tSúilí: Keelan McFadden; Ryan Diver, Jake Kelly, Liam McGinley; Cormac Callaghan, Sean Collum, Mikey Toner; Jamie McAuley, Mark Bonner; Cillian Bonner, Pauric Devine, Aiden Friel; Shane Tinney, Oisin McGrenra, Reid Kelly.

Subs: Oisin Crawford and Gary McFadden for L McGinley and Friel (both 41). 

Gaoth Dobhair: Daithi Roibeard; Johnny Ó Dónaill, Gary Mac Phaidin, Sean Ó Gallchoir; Neasan Mac Giolla Bhride, Niall Ó Frighil, Cathal De Burca; Michael Ó Rabhartaigh, Stiofan Mac Phaidin; Johnny Mac Giolla Bhride, Ethan Ó hEarcain, Aodan Breathnach; Cathal Mac Giolla Easpuig, Éamonn Ó Coilm, Fionnan Mac Giolla Chomhaill. 

Subs: Tiernan Misteal for J Ó Donaill and Jamie Ó Dochartaigh for De Burca (both 49), Eoin De Burca for hEarcain (52), Cronan Mac Phaidin and Liam Breathnach for J Mac Giolla Bhride and Mac Giolla Easpaig (both 55). 

Referee: Cathal Boland (Ard an Rátha).