Hosts aim for record title haul

Host club Gweedore will be aiming for a record eighth Comórtas Peile Náisiúnta na Gaeltachta today when they face Kiltane from Mayo in the senior final.

The west Donegal side came through yesterday’s semi-final on a 2-12 to 2-8 scoreline against An Daingean from Kerry thanks to a wonderful first-half goal from Frank McGee.

Following a long ball in from Kevin Cassidy, McGee, who plays soccer with the local Gweedore United club, showed those instincts to flick a delicate volley past Sean Flaherty.

McGee’s goal helped Gweedore into a 1-8 to 0-3 half-time lead, with Ronan MacNiallais, Cassidy, Owen Ward, James Gallagher and Colin Ferry all on form.

Brian Devane helped get An Daingean back into the game after the interval when he shot into the bottom corner past Christopher Sweeney but after another Cassidy assist, Ward emphasised Gweedore’s superiority. The visitors scored a late goal through full-back Gene O’Connor.

Kiltane went goal crazy as they topped last year’s All-Ireland Gaeltacht winners, Cloughaneely from Donegal in the second semi-final, 5-4 to 1-10. A brace each by Martin Gallagher and Mickey Sweeney as well as a second-half strike by Ultan Corrigan sealed their passage into the final.

The junior final will be an all-Donegal affair. St Naul’s had Stephen Griffin, who hit 1-7, to thank for laying the foundations in their 2-11 to 0-9 win over Galway’s An Ceathru Rua. Termon had Aidan Sweeney in fine form, scoring 2-1, in their 2-16 to 2-9 victory over Clann na nGael of Meath.

Donegal have also had a stranglehold on the ladies’ championship in recent years and Termon will go for an All-Ireland three-in-a-row as they face Kilcommin from Mayo in the final.

Today: Cluiche Ceannais Sinsir na mBan: Tearmann v Cill Chomáin, Páirc an Chlubthí, noon.

Cluiche Ceannais Sóisear Fir: An Tearmann v Naomh Naille, Páirc an Chlubthí, 2pm Cluiche Ceannais Sinsir Fir: Gaoth Dobhair v Páirc an Chlubthí, 4pm.