Dungloe's Ulster adventure ends at the hands of impressive Galbally

Dungloe’s dreams of an appearance in the Ulster SFC final were dashed by an impressive Galbally Pearses at Celtic Park.

Dungloe 0-10
Galbally Pearses 1-12

The Tyrone champions have something of a reputation of an ability to shoot the lights out and although Dungloe created quite a bit in their semi-final, Galbally’s ability to take scores was the standout feature of the first half. 

Playing with the wind, which was certainly  a factor, Paddy Crozier’s team had established a 0-10 to 0-3 lead and were good value for it. Dungloe finished off well, showed some pride and all in all have achieved their season's objective - but the road ended here. 

Galbally played their quarter-final at the same venue, hammering Derry champions Glenullin 7-12 to 1-11 and in 2019 enjoyed a comprehensive 1-22 to 0-11 win over St Naul's on the banks of the Foyle.

On their first ever journey into the province, Dungloe had reached the last four courtesy of a 1-11 to 0-7 win against Dunloy Cúchullains of Antrim on a 1-11 to 0-7 scoreline. Whereas everyone from the Rosses enjoyed their first taste of Ulster three weeks ago not far from the banks of the Bann up in Ahoghill. 

The occasion at Celtic Park was another level from there - the crowd, the lights and the action - as were their opponents. After 18 minutes, Dungloe were 0-7 to 0-1 down and the theory that the team who have the wind in the first half are usually tentative to use it, was a million miles off.

Daniel Kerr and Conor Donaghy scored two apiece, while Christopher Morris, Sean Murphy and Tyrone panelist Liam Rafferty were all hitting the right notes. 

Dungloe had opportunities and although there’s not really such a thing as a ‘good’ wide, Dessie Gallagher, the Rosses club’s manager, would’ve been perfectly entitled to term them as bad wides. Their first half total was only five, although it felt like more.

Darren Curran had opened Dungloe’s account on 10 minutes and Daire Gallagher put over two more later in the half, with Oisin Bonner - back in the side after an ankle injury ruled him out of the quarter-final - going for goal on 19 minutes only for Ronan McGeary to save well.

Enda McGarrity scored two excellent long-range points late in the half, before a boomer from Ronan Nugent and Galbally’s lead at the beak was seven points.

Two points early in the second half - from Matthew Ward and Gallagher - did give hope to Dungloe, although Galbally’s return from the serve was key. Firstly, Barry Carberry hit a point and then they mustard the opening goal.

Murphy was the goalscorer on 34 minutes, picking up the pieces to slot past Danny Rodgers from close range when the ball fell his way after a curling shot from Nugent had come in to strike the upright and fall.

Referee Pat Clarke from Cavan did check with his umpires to see if there was a square ball, although their discussion ended with a green flag waving and Galbally were 1-11 to 0-5 in front. Even at that, they kept pushing. Rodgers had to make a fine stop on 38 minutes from Rafferty and the rebound from Sean Wylie’s fizzler was deflected wide by Gerard Walsh. Moments later, with a Wylie shot that was struck a little lighter, the Dungloe goalkeeper had to make another stop. 

In the last quarter with the rain starting to fall in sheets, Dungloe didn’t stop their fight. Gallagher would end up with five points, with Aaron Ward, Ryan Brennan and Dylan Sweeney all scoring late on. Oisin Bonner also rattled the crossbar when shooting at goal with Ryan Brennan getting a straight red for a challenge on Seamie Mulgrew in injury time.

Galbally go onto face Séamus McEnaney's Corduff from Monaghan in the final, with their memories fresh from three years ago, when they hammered St Naul's only to lose out to John Mitchel's, Magheracloone. For Dungloe, a long season has finally come to an end.

Dungloe scorers: Daire Gallagher 0-5, 4f; Darren Curran, Matthew Ward, Aaron Ward, Ryan Brennan and Dylan Sweeney 0-1
Galbally Pearse scorers: Sean Murphy 1-1; Conor Donaghey 0-3, 3f; Daniel Kerr 0-2; Christopher Morris 0-1; Sean Murphy 0-1; Liam Rafferty 0-1; Enda McGarrity 0-2; Ronan Nugent 0-1; Barry Carberry 0-1; 

Dungloe: Danny Rodgers; Jason McBride, Christy Greene, Gerard Walsh; Mark Curran, Conor O’Donnell, Karl Magee; Darren Curran, Barry Curran; Dylan Sweeney, Daire Gallagher, Matthew Ward; Oisin Bonner, Daniel Ward, Aaron Ward. Subs: Shaun McGee for D Ward (46), Noel McBride for M Ward (48), Jordan Saville for Walsh (51), Ryan Brennan for Gallagher (59), Rory McLaughlin for A Ward (60+3), Blaine Nugent for Lennon (60+6)

Galbally Pearses: Ronan McGeary; Ronan Nugent, Conor Quinn, Connor Donnelly; Marc Lennon, Christopher Morris, John Hetherington; Enda McGarrity, Cormac Donnelly; Sean Wylie, Liam Rafferty, Daniel Kerr; Barry Carberry, Conor Donaghy, Sean Murphy. Subs: Aidan Carberry for Connor Donnelly (52), Mark Donnelly for Carberry (59), Seamie Mulgrew for Murphy (60+4)

Referee: Pat Clarke (Cavan).