Gaoth Dobhair show no reservations in seeing off Aodh Ruadh

Senior Reserve Football Championship Quarter Final
24 September 2006
Aodh Ruadh 1-5
Gaoth Dobhair 1-8
Sean Perry reports from MacCumhaill Park

Aodh Ruadh's reserve championship campaign shuddered to a halt in MacCumhaill Park on Sunday as a strong third quarter from the Gaeltacht men of Gaoth Dobhair propelled them into the last four. Again, John Duffy proved that class is permanent early on, the former inter-county man picked up where he left off against Malin in the first round play-off clipping over two nice points for Aodh Ruadh early on. While Duffy may not have the pace of the mullet wearing teenager that excited Donegal GAA fans in the last century, he did prove a handful for the opposing defence throughout and was involved in most of the Ballyshannon side's best attacks.

Duffy and Martin McGlynn carried the fight to the Gaoth Dobhair men in the first ten minutes, the Ballyshannon men led by 0-3 v 0-2 when the lively Manny Gallagher broke away with possession with two minutes remaining until the interval. Having lost the ball on the 20 metre line, the corner forward managed to recover it and popped the ball low to the corner to beat Paul Kane who had just pulled off a string of quality catches and saves.

Stung, Aodh Ruadh responded immediately, Shane McShea floated a high ball into the danger-zone, Damian Conlon had a lot of work to do having made a great fetch but the wing-forward broke a number of tackles before sliding the ball to the net.

Trailing by a point at the interval at 1-3 to 1-2, Gaoth Dobhair threw everything at Aodh Ruadh early in the second half. Their penetrating runs yielded a number of frees which they were managing in the main, to convert. The Ernesiders probably pressed the panic button a little too early and trailing by three points, they went in search of a second goal when points might have been a better option.

Barry Travers appeared to have a legitimate penalty claim denied in the dying moments as Ciaran Ferry and Sean Nancy Gallagher cleared their lines time after time.

Gaoth Dobhair now join Naomh Conall, Glenfin and Ardara in the semi-finals, their main concern being that a series of injuries at senior level may deprive them of key performers for the next stage of this competition.

Vital Statistics
Teams
Aodh Ruadh P Kane; S Gillespie, D Drummond, D Grimes; B Travers, B McCafferty, P McGrath; F McIntyre, S McShea; J Gillespie, M McGlynn (0-1), D Conlon (1-1); J Duffy (0-2, 1 free), T McIntyre, J McIntyre. Substitutions J Travers (0-1) for Grimes; B Gallagher for McGlynn, D McIntyre for T McIntyre, S Perry for J McIntyre; D McGarrigle for F McIntyre.
Robert Emmett's C Sweeney; S Gallagher, D MacAoidh, P Ferry; M Curran, M McKelvey, C Ferry; P Duffy (0-1), F Diver; R Diver (0-2), C Doogan; G O'Faoruisce (0-5, 5 frees), C Mulligan, M Gallagher (1-0).
Referee
Seamus Bradley (Downings)

Report Filed: 28 September 2006