Gaoth Dobhair have narrow win over Ardara in Senior B semi-final

Gaoth Dobhair came from behind to book their place in the Michael Murphy Senior B Championship final with hard fought victory over Ardara.

Gaoth Dobhair 2-9

Ardara 1-10

Gaoth Dobhair started well and had a goal and point on the board inside five minutes. Eamonn Collum, scorer of 1-5 in the quarter-final win over Dungloe, posted the point and and Sean Doherty hit the goal.

Doherty first timed to the net when a long range James Gallagher effort dropped short and broke in a crowded goalmouth; Doherty reacted quickest to give Patrick Gavigan no chance from five metres.

However, Gaoth Dobhair did not score again for close on 15 minutes.

In between Ardara chalked up a goal and two points with veteran Stephen Gildea scoring a goal and point. The goal was a cheeky strike from a 20 metre free to hit the top right hand corner of  Charles John Doherty’s net.

That was on eight minutes and Gildea followed up five minutes later, also from a free, for a 1-2 to 1-1 lead.

Paul Watters and Peter McHugh added to Ardara’s tally with Micheál Roarty responding with Gaoth Dobhair’s sole point of the second quarter.

Gaoth Dobhair enjoyed the better start to the second period. Eamon Collum and Neasan MacGiolla MacBride posted the points and Odhran Ferry McFadden scored a goal for a 2-4 to 1-6 lead seven minutes into the new half.

The sides were level twice before Ardara hit the front with five minutes remaining.

But Gaoth Dobhair, with points from James Gallagher and Eamon Collum, went on to clinch the place in the final.    

GAOTH DOBHAIR: Charles J Doherty; Sean McGarvey, Hugh Boyle, James Boyle; Jamie Boyle , Christopher McFadden, Ryan Kelly; Donal McBride (0-1), Odhran Ferry McFadden(1-0); Micheál Roarty (0-1),James Gallagher (0-1), Conor Cafferty, Sean Doherty (1-0) , Eamon Collum (0-4). Subs: Neasan MacGiolla Bhride (0-1) for C McFadden, 5, inj; Paul Mulligan (0-1) for M Roarty, 28; Keith Sweeney for S McGarvey, 37; Dylan O’Donnell for R Kelly, 52; Sean O’Baoill for C O’Boyle, 63.

ARDARA Patrick Gavigan; Harry Hennigan, Eamon Breslin, Tony Harkin (0-1); Daniel Breslin, Oisin O’Donnell, Conor Gallagher; Francis Boyle, Joe McLaughlin; Paul Watters (0-3,3f),  Brendan Boyle, Martin Shovlin; Stephen Gildea (1-4,1-2f,), Peter McHugh(0-2), Declan Gallagher. Subs: Gerard McCabe for J McLaughlin h/t; Simon Breslin for D Breslin 38; Stefan Boyle for S Gildea 56;

REFEREE; Enda McFeely (Convoy)