Gaoth Dobhair's bounce continues with victory at Glenfin in Donegal SFC

A goal in just 19 seconds from Michéal Roarty and the kicking abilities of Ethan Harkin were the decisive factors in Gaoth Dobhair’s narrow Donegal SFC win at Glenfin.

Glenfin 1-7
Gaoth Dobhair 1-8 

Gaoth Dobhair have faced more hurdles this season than you’d find on an athletic track but having finished the All-County League reasonably well they’re now two from two in the championship, whilst stripped to the bare bones.

With only four players who started the famous Ulster Club SFC winning final of 2018, Trevor Alcorn’s young side ground out a victory at Pairc Taobhoige, where they were pretty soundly beaten in April in the league, 0-13 to 0-7.

In truth, the margins were so fine had Glenfin managed to scrape a draw few would have begrudged them, but just like matchday one in Fintra, they gave so much to a game yet finished it with nothing. 

David Carroll and Gareth Martin’s side will probably be looking in the wing-mirrors now as much as at those who are in front of them and they were chasing instantly. Gaoth Dobhair won the throw-in and Gavin McBride and Eamon McGee combined before Roarty smashed home a goal from their first attack. 

Glenfin, though, mounted a passage of play of their own as early as the fifth minute which concluded with a goal of their own, with Daniel McGlynn the scorer after Luke McGlynn had made the ground and Fergal Delaney thought he’d averted the danger.

So, five minutes played and it was 1-0 to 1-0 and whether ‘take your goals, the points will come’ will become a thing or not, the match took a more usual course of action with both sides getting their shooting boots on in awkward enough conditions.

Shaun Ward and Ciaran Brady points were levelled out by Harkin’s first two frees to leave it 1-2 apiece on 23 minutes. Aaron McGlynn then Ward reestablished a two-point Glenfin advantage, which might’ve been more as Brady challenged Daithi Roberts to a high ball in from Frank McGlynn only to see it come back off the crossbar.

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Harkin’s third score right before the break meant Gaoth Dobhair trailed by just one, 1-4 to 1-3, having played against the unpredictable breeze, although Aidan Breathnach’s withdrawal will add to their already considerably lengthy injury list.  

They kicked the first three points of the second half - two more frees from Harkin and their first score from play thanks to Seaghan Ferry - to move into a 1-6 to 1-4 lead. Glenfin aren’t afraid to run it though and a couple of Shaun Ward frees brought them on terms by the 45th minute.

It was anyone’s game if truth be told and Gavin McBride’s effort was well-taken before Luke McGlynn scored perhaps the point of the game on the turn 11 minutes from time to make it 1-7 apiece. 

Few would’ve thought that Harkin’s 53rd minute score from distance would’ve been the last in the light showers but that’s what happened. Glenfin weren’t at their best but they were right in it and had a couple of difficult attempts to save face - but they were out of luck as Gaoth Dobhair went home with the win.

Glenfin scorers: Shaun Ward 0-4, 4f; Daniel McGlynn 1-0; Ciaran Brady, Aaron McGlynn, Luke McGlynn 0-1 each.
Gaoth Dobhair scorers: Ethan Harkin 0-6, 5f; Michéal Roarty 1-0; Seaghan Ferry and Gavin McBride 0-1

Glenfin: Andrew Walsh; Martin O’Donnell, John Harkin, Gary Herron; Ross Marley, Frank McGlynn, Odhrán McGlynn; Stephen Carr, Stephen Ward; Aaron McGlynn, Jason Morrow, Shaun Ward; Luke McGlynn, Ciaran Brady, Daniel McGlynn. Subs: Mark McGinty Jnr for Brady (32), Jason Marley for A McGlynn (52), Ronan Carlin for Stephen Ward (54)

Gaoth Dobhair: Daithi Roberts; Daire Ferry, Neil McGee, Gary McFadden; Seaghan Ferry, Neasan Mac Giolla Bhride, Fergal Delaney; Domhnaill Mac Giolla Bhride, Michéal Roarty; Aidan Breathnach, Eoin de Búrca, Cian Mulligan; Ethan Harkin, Eamon McGee, Gavin McBride. Subs: Fionnan Coyle for Breathnach (30+1), James Ó Baoill for N Mac Giolla Bhride (60+2).

Referee: Jimmy White (Killybegs)