Kavanagh sees red as Eunan’s battle back to force draw

RORY KAVANAGH was sent off for two yellow cards before his St Eunan’s, Letterkenny side clawed back two late points to scramble a draw against Glenswilly in the Donegal SFC quarter-final in Ballybofey yesterday.

All the talk ahead of the game was whether or not hamstrung county captain Michael Murphy, who enjoyed such a fine showing from the bench in the All-Ireland quarter-final win over Kildare eight days beforehand, would start for Glenswilly.

Start he did, and when he slung over his third and fourth frees of the day his side led by two, only for stoppage time scores from Sean McVeigh and Conall Dunne to tie things up at 0-9 to 0-9.

St Eunan’s dominated the first-half with their short fisted passes creating a number of chances. However, wayward shooting meant the sides went in at 0-5 apiece. Kavanagh’s second yellow came when he flung Joe Gibbons to the floor with only three minutes left.

Elsewhere, St Michael’s, Creeslough and Dunfanaghy were well served by their county panellists in their 1-14 to 1-10 victory over Gweedore in Falcarragh. With Colm McFadden, Christy Toye and Martin McElhinney pulling the strings, St Michael’s led 0-7 to 0-5 at the break against a Gweedore side that included the McGee brothers Neil and Eamon as well as Kevin Cassidy.

A last minute Daniel McLaughlin goal got the celebrations going in earnest, although Gary Whoriskey slotted home at the other end for Gweedore‘s only goal. However, St Michael’s managed to keep their opponents at arm’s length throughout four minutes of stoppage time to reach the last four.

Glenfin caused the shock of the round when they came from behind to beat Karl Lacey and Paul Durcan’s Four Masters of Donegal Town. Few would’ve given the side, who are spearheaded by Donegal corner-back Frank McGlynn, much of a chance but they came through on a 2-6 to 1-7 scoreline.

The script seemed to be adhered to by the interval, by which point Four Masters were in front 1-4 to 0-4 with Conor McMonagle scoring from a penalty. However, Ciaran Moy netted for Glenfin from the spot after the break and Kevin McGlynn scored a fine goal that ultimately proved to be the winner with just three minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, in the one remaining first round tie, Ardara enjoyed a comfortable play-off win over Cloughaneely in Letterkenny, 2-10 to 0-7. Such a landslide victory seemed improbable at half-time, with Ardara leading, 0-6 to 0-4. However, a Stephen Gildea penalty on 34 minutes set Ardara on their way and when Stephen McHugh battered home a second goal six minutes later the contest was all but over.

Ardara now meet Kilcar in the last eight with the winners drawn to meet St Eunan‘s or Glenswilly, while Glenfin play St Michael’s.

Glenfin, like St Michael’s and indeed Glenswilly, have never won a senior championship but with Donegal due to play Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-finals at the end of the month the fixtures’ committee will have to decide then the senior championship is to resume.