Naomh Conaill champs for seventh time

SEVENTH HEAVEN: The Naomh Conaill team celebrating winning the Donegal County Senior Club Football Championship. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Donegal SFC final

Naomh Conaill 1-16 Gaoth Dobhair 1-8 

The Naomh Conaill odyssey in club football only came to life in 2005 and the Glenties’ club’s remarkable journey continued with a seventh Donegal SFC crown on Sunday in Ballybofey.

From the first minute, they had control over things against a Gaoth Dobhair team who were chasing a record 16th capture of the Dr Maguire Cup. Naomh Conaill were 0-9 to 0-2 in front by half-time and in the end, they were full value for an eight-point victory.

The Naomh Conaill goal came in the 46th minute through Charlie McGuinness - whose uncle Jim was a keen spectator - who finished off a fluid move that involved Brendan McDyer and Ethan O’Donnell for a 1-13 to 0-5 lead.

John O’Malley, Ciaran Thompson and Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí all contributed points for the eventual victors and it got to a stage when the only question wasn’t how but how many. It was a record seventh final appearance on the spin for Naomh Conaill.

Gaoth Dobhair goalkeeper Daithi Roberts made a fantastic save to touch a Eunan Doherty belter onto the crossbar. Michael Carroll carried the fight for the team managed by Ronan McNiallais and three minutes from time they managed a consolation goal from Meathman Fearghal Delaney.

Scorers for Naomh Conaill: C McGuinness 1-2; C Thompson, J O’Malley (2f) 0-3; J Mac Ceallabhui 0-2; O Doherty, B McDyer, A Thompson, U Doherty, E Doherty, K McGill 0- 1 each 

Scorers for Gaoth Dobhair: F Delaney 1-0; M Carroll (2f) 0-3; M Roarty, D Ó Baoill, E Harkin (f), K Gillespie, N Mac Giolla Bhride 0-1 each.

Naomh Conaill: S McGrath; J Campbell, AJ Gallagher, U Doherty; K McGettigan, A Thompson, E O’Donnell; L McLoone, C Thompson; B McDyer, O Doherty, E Doherty; J Mac Ceallabhui, C McGuinness, J O’Malley. 

Subs: E Waide for Campbell (44), K McGill for McDyer (51), L Quinn for McGettigan (56), S Corcoran for O’Malley (58), M McDevitt for Mac Ceallabhui (60).

Gaoth Dobhair: D Roberts; A Breathnach, N McGee, G McFadden; N Friel, S Ferry, M Roarty; D Ó Baoill, D Mac Giolla Bhride; M Carroll, O Mac Niallais, J Ó Baoill; E Harkin, E McGee, C McEntee.

Subs: S McFadden for Ferry (h-t), K Gillespie for McEntee (38), C de Burca for Roarty, N Mac Giolla Bhride for J Ó Baoill (both 51), F Delaney for Breathnach (54).

Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary’s, Convoy).