Gaoth Dobhair overpower Cloughaneely in lopsided derby

Gaoth Dobhair cantered to a 16-point win over derby foes Cloughaneely at Magheragallon on Saturday evening.

Gaoth Dobhair 4-15

Cloughaneely 1-8

Fionnan Coyle and Eamonn Collum netted the first-half goals and Gaoth Dobhair, who were 2-8 to 1-3 in front at half-time, added late goals through Niall Friel and Fiachra Coyle.

Gaoth Dobhair, still with many of their leading cast members among the audience, laid the platform in the first quarter-hour, Coyle’s third-minute goal giving them a 1-6 to 1-1 buffer.

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Coyle neatly stepped inside his man to convert after being fed by Donal Mac Giolla Bhríde.

Ethan Harkin kicked seven points on an impressive evening for the flame-haired forward, who has the potential to be a real fulcrum for Trevor Alcorn’s side.

Ciaran McGeady blasted to the bottom corner to give Cloughaneely some early hope, but Gaoth Dobhair were eight ahead by the short whistle.

The second goal arrived on 22 minutes, Harkin providing the assist and Collum arrowing through to finish.

Shaun McClafferty, the Cloughaneely goalkeeper, saved from Friel and Ciaran McBride as Gaoth Dobhair went in search of further majors.

At the other end, Daithi Roberts repelled Cillian Gallagher’s shot just before half-time which might have brought Cloughaneely back into it.

Even the customary Magheragallon breeze came out to enjoy the Bank Holiday sunshine, but the derby needle only momentarily rose to the surface.

Collum sported markings on his right eye that suggested someone in blue was fortunate to escape sanction, the Gaoth Dobhair forward having had to spend the closing few minutes of the first half on the bench as a cut was seen to. The moment threatened to escalate, but the mercury was lowered.

Sean Curran’s frees kept Cloughaneely’s score ticking, but Harkin was prolific up the other end.

Friel scuttled his way up the right-hand side and shot low to the bottom corner, widening the deficit to 13 points with ten minutes to play.

Harkin soared over from a ’45 before Fiachra Coyle batted home from Jamie McGee’s centre to complete the rout.

Gaoth Dobhair scorers: Ethan Harkin (1 ’45, 3f) 0-7; Fionnan Coyle, Eamonn Collum 1-2; Niall Friel, Fiachra Coyle 1-0; Eamon McGee 0-2; Ciaran McBride, Eoin De Burca 0-1.

Cloughaneely scorers: Ciaran McGeady 1-1; Sean Curran 0-4f; Sean Maguire (1m), Cillian Gallagher, Cian McFadden 0-1.

Gaoth Dobhair: Daithi Roberts, Darragh Ferry, Gary McFadden, Cian McEntee; Niall Friel, Micheál Roarty, Aidan Breathnach; Neasan Mac Giolla Bhríde, Sean Doherty; Ethan Harkin, Eamonn Collum, Eoin De Burca; Donal Mac Giolla Bhríde, Eamon McGee, Fionnan Coyle. Subs: Ciaran McBride for McGee (28), Cian Mulligan for Friel (51), Jamie McGee for D.Mac Giolla Bhríde (55), Fiachra Coyle for De Burca (58).

Cloughaneely: Shaun McClafferty; Ciaran McGeady, Sean Curran, Fionn McGinley; Cian McFadden, Michael Fitzgerald, Noel Sweeney; Lee O’Brien, Mark Harley; Martin Maguire, John Fitzgerald, Ciaran Coyle; Cillian Gallagher, Ciaran Scanlon, Sean Maguire. Subs: Michael Mulhern for McGinley (18), Cathal McGeever for McGeady (half-time), Paul Sweeney for S.Maguire (46), Ciaran Coll for O’Brien (50).

Referee: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhánada).