Championship comes to the boil

Patrick McBrearty scored a goal and four points as Kilcar pulled off the victory of the weekend in their 1-8 to 1-5 win over St. Eunan’s in O’Donnell Park.

Kilcar led from the off with Mark McHugh kicking their opening point inside 12 seconds and they went in at the break 0-5 to 0-2 in front. McBrearty was denied an almost certain goal only for a brilliant save from John Paul Clarke, between the St. Eunan’s posts at the end of the first period.

Veteran John Haran scored a late goal for St. Eunan’s, but it was no more than a consolation goal, and it is very much advantage Kilcar for next weekend’s second leg tie in Towney.

Elsewhere, Michael Murphy kicked four points, in a man of the match performance as champions Glenswilly, got the defence of their championship off to a flying start with a 0-9 to 0-7 win over Gaoth Dobhair at a wet and windy Magheragallon.
Last year’s beaten finalists St. Michael’s, despite fielding without county ace Colm McFadden, proved far too strong for Division Two side Sean MacCumhaills who got off to a flying start with an early Stephen O’Reilly goal.

But once they found their rhythm, St. Michael’s took complete control to run out comprehensive 3-19 to 1-6 winners. County man Daniel McLaughlin with 1-6 was St. Michael’s top scorer with Stephen Coyle posting 1-5.

Darragh Gallagher scored four points from placed balls and Dermot ‘Brick’ Molloy hit four points from play and Leo McLoone scored a goal as Naomh Conaill proved too strong for last year’s Intermediate champions, St. Naul’s in Davy Brennan Memorial Park.

Michael Doherty scored six of Four Masters’ 0-9 in their two point win over Ardara in Ardara in yet another man of the match performance from the Masters ace.

Meanwhile in Bundoran Peter McGonagle and Tommy Hourihane scored the goals in Bundoran’s 2-10 to 1-9 win over Frank McGlynn’s Glenfin.

All the aforementioned games were played yesterday, while on Saturday evening Dungloe had a three point 0-10 to 0-7 win over Cloughaneely while the meeting of Fanad Gaels and Killybegs ended in a draw.

In the Intermediate championship there were home wins for Termon and Buncrana over Urris and Burt respectively, while Naomh Brid and Aodh Ruadh in their all south county derby clash ended level.

Veteran forward, Mickey’ Sticky’ Ward with a last gasp converted free, was Aodh Ruadh’s saviour to set up a mouth-watering second leg tie next weekend.

The second leg games in both the senior and the intermediate championship are due to be played next weekend.