Kilcar win in the sunshine against Gaoth Dobhair

A cleverly crafted goal just before half-time and the second half introductions of Ciaran McGinley and Mark McHugh were key as Kilcar defeated Gaoth Dobhair in sunny Towney.

Kilcar 1-13

Gaoth Dobhair 0-9

The home side deserved their victory after withstanding a spirited third-quarter comeback from Gaoth Dobhair, which left the home side leading by 1-8 to 0-8 with twelve minutes remaining.

Kilcar threw on McGinley to curb Gaoth Dobhair’s rising dominance around the middle and McHugh hit two well struck points to ease his side home to victory.

Kilcar played into the breeze in the opening half and settled into the game much quicker than the visitors.

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The impressive full-forward Dara O’Donnell won and converted a free to open the scoring.

This was quickly followed by a great quarter from the mercurial Stephen McBrearty, who gave an exhibition of score-taking, notching two superb efforts as the home side led by 0-4 to 0-1 by the 10th minute-O’Donnell hitting the other score.

Gavin McBride hit a mammoth effort for the visitors and Niall Friel and Cian Mulligan narrowed the gap to 0-4 to 0-3 as Gaoth Dobhair grew more into the game.

Further points from Neasan Mac Giolla Bhríde and Fionan Coyle put them into a short-lived 0-5 t0 0-4 lead.

Kilcar finished the half strongly with Andrew McClean, O’Donnell and McBrearty pushing them to a 0-7 to 0-5 lead.

They fashioned a fabulous lightning move that ended with Conor Doherty setting up Eoin Cormack who palmed the ball to the net from close range.

A further point from Jason Campbell left the home side with a healthy half time lead of 1-8 to 0-5 and it looked like game over as Gaoth Dobhair rued those seven first half wides with the wind.

However, it was Trevor Alcorn’s men who took the early initiative in the second half.

Gaoth Dobhair closed down Kilcar’s short passing running game and dominated possession playing into the wind.

Gavin McBride had two quick points to narrow the gap and James Boyle was very unlucky to see his goal bound rasoer brilliantly tipped over the bar by Kilcar ‘keeper Kevin Campbell.

McHugh was only on the field for seconds when Kilcar won a close in free and the inevitable O’Donnell converted it to give them some breathing space.

Gaoth Dobhair seemed to tire, and the home side had further points from Conor Doherty, Jason Campbell and McHugh to seal victory.

Kilcar scorers: Dara O’Donnell (3f) 0-4; Eoin Cormack 1-0; Stephen McBrearty 0-3; Jason Campbell, Mark McHugh 0-2; Andrew McClean, Conor Doherty 0-1.

Gaoth Dobhair scores: Gavin McBride (1f) 0-5; Neasan Mac Giolla Bhríde, Cian Mulligan, Daith Roberts, Fionnan Coyle 0-1.

Kilcar: Kevin Campbell; Pauric Carr, Brian O’Donnell, Dylan O’Gara; Ryan O’Donnell, Andrew McClean, Daniel Lyons; Jason Campbell, Eoin Cormack; Conor Doherty, Stephen McBrearty, Paul McShane; Conor O’Donnell, Dara O’Donnell, Ryan McShane. Subs: Ciaran McGinley for Cormack (40), Mark McHugh for O’Donnell (48) Kenny Doogan for O’Gara (53).

Gaoth Dobhair: Daithi Roberts; Dara Ferry, Gary McFadden, James Boyle; Niall Friel, Donal Mac Giolla Bhríde, Aidan Breathnach; Sean Doherty, Neasan Mac Giolla Bhríde; Cian Mulligan, Eoin De Burca, Seaghan Ferry; Fionnan Coyle, Gavin McBride, Michael Roarty. Subs: Ciaran McBride for Ferry (14), Stephen McFadden for McBride (48), Cian McEntee for Doherty, Johny O’Donnell for Boyle (54).

Referee: Shane Toolan (Aodh Ruadh).