McAteer goal at the bitter end seals dramatic Gaeil Fhánada win over Downings

A 58th minute goal from Alan McAteer only seconds after his introduction sealed a dramatic Donegal IFC quarter-final victory for Gaeil Fhánada over Downings.

Downings 0-11
Gaeil Fhánada 1-10

Five placed balls from Johnny McGroddy looked to have proved the difference in Dunfanaghy as last year’s Junior A Championship winners and the current All-County League Division 2 champions were edging towards the finish line in a tense finish.

However, Gaeil Fhánada kept in touch thanks mainly to Liam McGrenaghan’s kicking abilities and in a second half that hadn’t produced a point from play were just two behind. Then, Paddy Carr worked his way down the right near the end and squared to McAteer, who steadied himself and blasted past Aaron McClafferty to smash home. 

Downings, who had taken McGroddy off moments beforehand, had to go for broke and were picked off when Oisin Shiels got in to punch over the settler. Gaeil Fhánada have developed something of a reputation of pulling things from the fire this season and that stood to them. On the other hand, Downings will regret not pressing on from a four-point lead but can look back on 2022 with pride when the disappointment thins off. 

With a tricky enough breeze that wasn’t of particular use to either side as it tailed across the field, there was little in it to begin with.  For the entire first half until injury time, there was never more than one point between the teams. 

A Paddy McElwee goal chance that ended up going over following a vital block from Odhran Shiels, Johnny McGroddy’s free that clipped in off the upright and a Conor Boyce point meant Downings headed for the dressing room three in front, 0-8 to 0-5.

Until then, there was little in it. Downings scores, peppered throughout the half, came from Boyce, McGroddy, McElwee and two fine points from Lorcan Connor. At the other end, Gaeil Fhánada were putting pressure on Aaron McClafferty’s kick-outs and managed their scores from  Paddy Carr, Seami Friel, Bernard McGettigan, Oisin Shiels and James Kerr.

Aidan McAteer and his management team might’ve thought the gods were contriving against them with man-marker Sean Kerry forced off within five minutes and then Bernard McGettigan didn’t make it as far as half-time. Downings, though, could point to a couple of goal chances that came and went.

On 22 minutes, McGroddy pierced through the Gaeil Fhánada defence and a goal looked on, with Ryan McGonigle making a brilliant last gap block. Then, later in half, McElwee’s shot was kept out by Shiels. McGroddy opened the second half with a free to make it five in a row for Kevin ‘Cookie’ Gallagher’s team and a 0-9 to 0-5 lead.

With Gaeil Fhánada having not scored since the 21st minute, they needed traction and a free from Friel on 34 followed up by Liam McGrenaghan’s point halved their deficit.  McGroddy got Downings moving again with a crisp 45 and free to bring his afternoon’s total to five midway through the half. That put Downings 0-11 to 0-7 in front but it proved that it was far from over.

Downings scorers: Johnny McGroddy 0-5, 4f, 45; Conor Boyce, Lorcan Connor and Paddy McElwee 0-2
Gaeil Fhánada scorers: Alan McAteer 1-0; Liam McGrenaghan 0-3, 2f 45; Seami Friel 0-2, 1f; Oisin Shiels 0-2;  Paddy Carr, Bernard McGettigan and James Kerr 0-1.

Downings: Aaron McClafferty; Max Davis, Ben McNutt, Ross Cullen; Keelan McGroddy, Kevin Doherty, Martin McBridel Oisin Boyce, Shane Boyce; Conor Boyce, Johnny McGroddy, James Lee McBride; Allen Pasoma, Lorcan Connor, Paddy McElwee.        Subs: Danny McBride for Davis (half-time), Eric Roberts for J McGroddy (59), Gary Ban McClafferty for  C Boyce (60+2).
Gaeil Fhanáda: Mark McConigley; Sean Kerr, Jimmy Coyle, Odhran Shiels; Darren McElwaine, Oisin Shiels,  Ryan McGonigle; Paddy Carr, Bernard McGettigan; Mark McAteer, James Kerr, Eoghan Carr; Seami Friel, Michael Sweeney, Liam McGrenaghan. Subs: James Gallagher for Kerr (4), Patrick Heraghty for McGettigan (30), Conor Heraghty for Kerr (44), Alan McAteer for Friel (58)
Referee: Sean McDaid (Urris)