Glenfin hold on for the win in cracking contest with Na Dúnaibh 

Frank McGlynn’s youthful and well-drilled Glenfin just about held off a brave late challenge from Na Dúnaibh in a real cracker in Pairc Taobhóige in Division 1.

The home side were coming off a defeat to St Michael’s and Maxi Curran’s men dropped a point in a late rally by Malin last week so full points were the clear objective of both teams.

Odhran McGlynn, Aaron McGlynn and Luke McGlynn, from the penalty spot, all netted while Johnny McGroddy responded in kind for Na Dúnaibh.

Na Dúnaibh had the benefit of a strong breeze in the opening half but it was Luke McGlynn who opened the scoring for the home side with Keelan and Johnny McGroddy replying for the visitors.

Shaun Ward then landed a difficult long-range free into the breeze before man of the match Paddy McElwee placed Conor Boyce to put Na Dúnaibh into a 0-3 to 0-2 lead.

But it took a superb save from Na Dúnaibh keeper Jordan Nugent to deny Daniel Marley a certain goal in the 11th minute.

Luke McGlynn levelled matters for the home side before they struck for the first goal after 15 minutes when Odhran McGlynn found a pocket of space inside the visitors’ defence and he lashed the ball to the net.

The inevitable Paddy McElwee responded with a fine point and It got even better in the 17th minute when Johnny McGroddy goaled at the second attempt to level matters at 1-5 each.

Daniel Marley edged Genfin in front and Odhran O’Connor put two points between the sides with a fisted point.

Glenfin lost experienced defender John Harkin to a black card for a heavy challenge on a Na Dúnaibh player.

But the visitors did not really take advantage of the extra man as a McElwee free left the minimum margin between the sides.

Glenfin then struck for a second goal as the excellent Aaron McGlynn forced the ball over the line after keeper Nugent had made a fine save which left Glenfin leading by 2-7 to 1-6.

But McElwee hit a single point and a massive two-pointer from a free to leave the home team leading by 2-7 to 1-9 at the break.

Callum Cullen pointed on the resumption for the visitors-but this was cancelled when Luke McGlynn cooly converted a penalty after Na Dúnaibh sub Shea Coyle was ruled to have foot-blocked Shaun Ward as he shot for goal.

The momentum was with the home side as Aaron McGlynn landed a fine two pointer from play as they led by 3-9 to 1-10.

But despite playing into the breeze, Na Dúnaibh rallied and McElwee landed two points as keeper Nugent once again denied Luke McGlynn a goal with a fine save.

Johnny McGroddy and Conor Boyce made it a 3-10 to 1-14 game.

McElwee and Glenfin sub Gerard Ward swapped points and Jason Morrow and Aaron McGlynn and McElwee exchanged points in a frenetic finish.

Na Dúnaibh might have had a goal but Glenfin keeper Andrew Walsh brilliantly denied Keelan McGroddy.

McElwee continued to convert frees with aplomb and it was 3-14 to 1-19 when referee Stephen Doherty blew for time after playing four minutes of extra time to the relief of Glenfin.

Na Dúnaibh felt he should not have blown until the ball went dead as the curtain fell on a memorable encounter.

Glenfin scorers: Luke McGlynn 1-4, 1P,3f; Aaron McGlynn 1-3,1tp; Odhran McGlynn 1-1; Shaun Ward 0-2; Daniel Marley 0-1,; Jason Morrow 0-1; Gerard Ward 0-1; Odhran O’Connor  0-1.  

Na Dúnaibh scorers: Paddy McElwee 0-12,1tpf, 0-9f; Johnny McGroddy 1-3; Conor Boyce 0-2; Callum Cullen 0-1; Keelan McGroddy 0-1.

Glenfin: Andrew Walsh; Eoin McGarrell, Jack Marley, John Harkin; Jack Long, Ross Marley, Odhran McGlynn; Aaron McGlynn, Jason Morrow; Shaun Ward, Daniel Marley, Tomas McNulty; Odhran O’Connor, Daire Quigley, Luke McGlynn. 

Subs: Gerard Ward for Daire Quigley (h-time), Shane McGinty for Eoin McGarrell (42), Matthew Wotton for Odhran McGlynn (55).

Na Dúnaibh: Jordan Nugent; Hugo Davis, Ronan Gallagher, Tiarnan McBride; Alex Gerwatowski, Ben McNutt, Pauric McGinty; Oisin Boyce, Callum Cullen; Ronan Pasoma, Conor Boyce, Keelan McGroddy; Gary McClafferty, Johnny McGroddy, Paddy McElwee.

Subs: Alan Pasoma for Ronan Gallagher (15), Kyle McFadden for Hugo Davis (20), Shea Coyle for Ronan Pasoma (40).

Referee: Stephen Doherty (Red Hugh’s)