Four Masters have no trouble seeing off Aodh Ruadh

Four Masters 3-15 Aodh Ruadh 1-9

Despite a generous tally of wides, the Donegal town side had 12 points to spare at the finish and will now have home advantage against St Michael’s in their preliminary quarter-final.

For Aodh Ruadh, it’s a relegation semi-final against Glenfin that awaits.

The outcome was effectively decided before half-time as goals from Senan Carr, Oisin Doherty and Conor McCahill helped Four Masters establish a 3-6 to 0-6 lead.

That attacking trio were the driving force behind the Four Masters display, combining for 3-10 of their side’s total and causing the Aodh Ruadh defence problems throughout.

Carr struck the opening goal after just three minutes, finding the net with a well-placed effort.

McCahill followed with a point before Aodh Ruadh’s main scoring outlet, David Dolan, opened their account from a free.

Four Masters quickly restored their momentum when McCahill forced a turnover from the Aodh Ruadh kick-out and raced through on goal. With goalkeeper Peter Boyle advancing, McCahill showed composure to flick the ball across to Oisin Doherty, who rolled it into the empty net.

The visitors were finding plenty of space and Carr and Kevin Muldoon added further points as they looked to build an early cushion.

Aodh Ruadh then enjoyed their best spell of the first half.

Dolan pointed another free after Donagh McIntyre was fouled before Matt Gillespie struck a superb long-range effort. Dolan added another free to leave the score 2-3 to 0-4.

Four Masters responded with points from McCahill, Alex McCalmont and Doherty.

Three minutes before the interval, the visitors landed the decisive blow. A turnover in midfield allowed David Monaghan to send a clever pass over the top for McCahill, who finished clinically past Boyle.

Dolan did manage a fine two-pointer before the break, but Four Masters went into the interval three goals clear and firmly in control.

Aodh Ruadh needed a strong start to the second half but Four Masters remained ruthless.

Doherty opened the scoring after the restart with a two-point free and followed it with a superb two-pointer from play in the 35th minute.

McCahill added another free before Aodh Ruadh finally found the net in the 45th minute. Eddie Lynch picked out Donagh McIntyre, who finished to give the Ballyshannon side a glimmer of hope.

However, Four Masters quickly restored their authority with points from Doherty and Muldoon.

Damian Weber marked his introduction from the bench with a neat point for Aodh Ruadh, while Monaghan responded at the other end.

Dolan converted another free for the home side before Caolan Sweeney finished the scoring for Four Masters with a fisted effort.

Four Masters’ attacking trio of Carr, McCahill and Doherty were the standout performers, while Monaghan also impressed before being withdrawn late on.

For Aodh Ruadh, goalkeeper Boyle made a number of excellent saves and could do little about the three goals. Shane Delahunty was typically committed in defence, while Dolan carried much of the attacking responsibility.

Aodh Ruadh scorers: David Dolan 0-6, 1tp, 4f; Donagh McIntyre 1-0, Matt Gillespie and Damian Weber 0-1 each.

Four Masters: Oisin Doherty 1-6, 1tp, 1tpf; Conor McCahill 1-3, 1f; Senan Carr 1-1, Kevin Muldoon 0-2; Alex McCalmont, David Monaghan and Caolan Sweeney 0-1 each.

Aodh Ruadh: Peter Boyle; Ryan Keenaghan, Michael Ward, Kyle Murray; Shane Delahunty, Eddie Lynch, Darragh Flood Dolan; Eoghan Kelly, Matt Gillespie; Philip Patton, Senan Rooney, Niall Murray; Darren Drummond, Donagh McIntyre, David Dolan.

Subs: Colm McGloin for Kyle Murray (36), Garreth Brennan for Michael Ward (41), Eoin Cassidy for Senan Rooney (49), Damian Weber for Philip Patton (52).

Four Masters: Lewis McCaughan; Eoin O’Neill, Dylan Kennedy, Leo McHugh; David Monaghan, Callum McCrea, Caolan Loughney; Patrick Reid, Richard O’Rourke; Kevin Muldoon, Senan Carr, Alex McCalmont; Conor McCahill, Tiernan McBride, Oisin Doherty.

Subs: Joe Leape for Caolan Loughney (41), Killian Faulkner for Alex McCalmont (47), Thomas Lenehan for Oisin Doherty (52), Caolan Sweeney for David Monaghan (53).

Referee: Anthony McCallig (Naomh Ultan)