Christopher Morrow praises Glenfin determination

Christopher Morrow says his Glenfin U-21 side showed real doggedness to grind out a 1-12 to 1-11 win over favourites Aodh Ruadh in the B championship semi-final. 

The Pairc Taobhoige residents had, at one time, opened up a seven-point advantage in an explosive first-half showing. 

But 1-7 to 0-3 in arrears, the Ballyshannon lads showed their undoubted class to rally back to within one just before half-time. 

Three times in the second period Glenfin went three clear but Aodh Ruadh managed to pull themselves right back into it each time.  Still, they failed to draw themselves level throughout and Morrow says that was the crucial aspect of their win at the Donegal GAA Training Centre. 

“They were on our coattails the entire way through,” he said. “We just managed to keep ahead. It was very important that we didn’t allow them to strike level. And they came close to it on a number of occasions. They are a really good side, they’d won all their games to date in the competition.”

Going into added time at the end of the 60 regulatory minutes, Ballyshannon substitute Jack Gallagher already had three points to his name, including two magnificent frees off the ground from distance. 

When another opportunity was presented to the Aodh Rudh marksman to square matters up with the last kick and force the clash to extra-time, Morrow admits he had consigned himself to matters ending level. 

“We were excellent at times, particularly in that first-half. But there were spells when they showed their quality as well. The substitute (Jack Gallagher) kicked some huge frees. Truth be told, the way he was kicking I expected him to level matters up there right at the end. 

“It was a generous enough one - I wasn’t too happy with the decision. But that’s football. It was a tough kick, a pressure scenario and we were relieved to see it go wide.” 

Glenswilly put Malin to the sword in clinical fashion in the other semi-final clash, crossing the line in emphatic fashion on a difference of 4-16 to 0-3. Morrow agrees Glenfin are going to have to find another gear again if they’re to edge the decider. 

“We’ve a good balance, we’ve worked really hard so far. It’s a difficult time of year and we’ve quite a few men carrying knocks. 

“Glenswilly are local rivals but we haven’t crossed swords to date. We know they’re a super side and really well coached. No doubt alot of our lads and their lads will know each other well. It should be a great event - it’s a local derby and there is silverware on the line. It’s exciting.”