St Michael's move through the gears to beat Milford

St Michael’s posted a first victory in the Donegal SFC, with a slick win over Milford at Moyle View.

Milford 0-7 
St Michaels 1-17 

The men from the Bridge were simply too good for the locals who also suffered a heavy defeat last weekend away to Kilcar.  Andrew Kelly was in devastating form at corner-forward and scored 1-4 while Michael Langan pitched in with five points. 

Kane Barrett - who is only back from a niggling injury - kicked all but one of Milford points. St Michaels drew 1-11 with Sean MacCumhaills  in the first round at Dunfanaghy last week, were all over Milford from the off.

Black knocked over the game’s first score and St Michael’s response came from Langan from outside the 45-metre line. And with Hugh O’Donnell, Carlos O’Reilly, Andrew Kelly, Martin McElhinney and Colin McFadden stepping up, the visitors chalked up six points in the opening 12 minutes. 

They continued on the frontfoot and O’Donnell, McFadden, Daniel McLaughlin, Kelly, O’Reilly and McElhinney all landed scores for St Michael's to lead 0-11 to 0-4 at half-time. 

Milford were holding what looked like a beaten docket from early put on a late spurt in the half and they were rewarded with Barrett points from frees. Langan and Barrett exchanged early frees on the resumption. Langan and Kelly raised more white flags and Kelly struck home a St Michael’s goal for a 1-15 to 0-6 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Edward O’Reilly did well to stop a boomer from Colin McFadden  and broke the ball down to Kelly who was lurking on the edge of the rectangle to turn the ball around Shaun Gallagher. 

St Michael’s continued to press in the closing minutes and Langan Michael McGinley with his first touch and O’ Donnell brought closure to the scoring with points. 

Milford scorers: Kane Barrett 0-6, 5f; Darragh Black 0-1.
St Michael’s scorers: Andrew Kelly 1-4, 1f; Michael Langan 0-5, 2f, 1 45s, Hugh O’Donnell and Carlos O’Reilly 0-2 each, Daniel McLaughlin 0-1,1f; Colin McFadden, Martin McElhinney and Michael McGinley 0-1

Milford: Shaun Gallagher; Anthony Curran, Conor Coll, Joe Doyle; Dylan Dorrian, Luke Barrett, Eoin O’Donnell; Ronan Docherty, Rory O’Donnell; Cathal McGettigan, Darragh Black, Conor Gormley; Gary Merritt, Kane Barrett, Tony McNamee. Subs: Conor McHugh for T McNamee, Gavin Grier for J Doyle, Lorcan Friel for G Merritt. 

St Michael’s: Oisin Cannon; Stephen Doak, Liam Paul Ferry, Antoin McFadden; Hugh O’Donnell, Oisin Langan, Patrick McGinley; Kyle McGarvey, Michael Langan; Martin Breslin, Colin McFadden, Daniel McLaughlin; Andrew Kelly, Martin McElhinney, Carlos O’Reilly. Subs: Edward O’Reillly for D McLaughlin, Michael McGinley for M Breslin.

Referee: Martin Coll (Gaoth Dobhair).