Donegal to the fore as 28th Infantry Battalion win DF Medical Services final

There was an abundance of Donegal involvement as the 28th Infantry Battalion won the Defence Forces Medical Services Gaelic Football final for the first time ever at the Curragh, Co Kildare, today.

The Finner Camp side lined up against a combined Dublin team of Cathal Brugha and McKee Barracks and won out on a scoreline of 1-13 to 1-8 after extra-time, which banished the memories of four previous final defeats.

Gaoth Dobhair’s Odhrán McFadden Ferry captained the side as Odhran Doherty of Naomh Conaill was named as man of the match and kicked two vital points.

Jamie McAleer from Urney, Co Tyrone, kicked six points for the winners, with clubmate Fergal McNulty also on the scoresheet. Aodh Ruadh duo Niall Murray and Eddie Lynch scored two points apiece.

Glenfin’s Andrew Walsh kept goal and his teammate John Harkin started at right corner-back, with Naomh Conaill’s Jason Campbell at full-back and Jimmy Coyle from Gaeil Fhánada in the other corner.

The half-back line featured Lynch and Bundoran’s Johnny Boyle, with McFadden Ferry at midfield. Doherty started at right wing-forward, with Aodh Ruadh’s David Dolan in front of him in the corner.

Aodh Ruadh’s Murray and Ryan Diver from Glenswilly came off the substitutes’ bench. Other panel members included Ryan Granaghan, who added to the Aodh Ruadh contingent, Darren Gethins from Four Masters, Glenswilly’s Patrick Diver and Enda McDaid, and Red Hugh’s Denim Rowan, Gerard Melaugh, Stephen McBride and Ryan Gallen.

MacCumhaills Archie McLaughlin was joint-manager and the side was coached by Ryan McKinley, the Naomh Colmcille clubman who is now coaching Glenfin. Kerry Ryan of Aodh Ruadh, St Eunan’s Kieran Doherty and Red Hugh’s Marty McCrossan, Mark O'Donnell of Termon were selectors.