Aodh Ruadh lift Division One title

ACFL Division 1
Gaoth Dobhair 2-9
Aodh Ruadh 3-15
21 September 1997

AODH Ruadh (Ballyshannon) won the Donegal All County League Division One title when they took maximum points from this league fixture against Gaoth Dobhair at Magheragallon. Gaoth Dobhair put up a fine display against the Ernesiders but without regulars such as Stephen Cassidy, Piaras Coyle, Paul Diver and Nicky Doherty they always faced an uphill battle against a well organised Ballyshannon side.

The Gaeltacht side got off to a flying start with a James Gallagher goal after seven minutes and after ten minutes led by four points. Aodh Ruadh however came into the game midway through the half and Gaoth Dobhair's keeper, Hugo Diver was forced to make a number of fine saves to keep Ballyshannon at bay.

Points from Damien Conlon, John Duffy and a goal from attacking wing half back, Anthony McGrath left the sides level 1-4 apiece at the interval, Aodh Ruadh took control in the early stages of the second half and doubled their score in the space of five minutes with points from Val Murray (3), Stephen Ward and a goal from Eunan Doyle.

This purple patch killed the game off as a contest and Gaoth Dobhair could not get back on the rails after the scoring blitz.

With John Duffy causing havoc Aodh Ruadh continued to press home their advantage and a score from the Donegal player along with a brace of points from Val Murray gave the Ballyshannon men an unassailable 2-11 to 1-4 lead ten minutes after the re-start.

Thirteen minutes had elapsed in the second half before Gaoth Dobhair opened their account with a point from Brian McBride, but a third Ballyshannon goal from Donal Buggy killed off any remote hopes of a comeback. Buggy's strike gave Ballyshannon a 3-15 to 1-5 lead. A goal and a point from James Gallagher along with two points from Sean Diver and a point from Liam McGee completed Gaoth Dobhair's scoring.

Ballyshannon added four points in the final stages, two from John Duffy and one each from Sylvester Maguire and Damien Conlon to finish off a well deserved victory.

Vital Statistics
Teams
Aodh Ruadh Paul Kane; Malachy Cullen, Paul O'Loughlin, Patrick McGrath; Martin McGlynn Ciaran Keon, Anthony McGrath; Stephen Ward, Charlie O'Donnell; Brian Roper, John Duffy, Donal Buggy, Eunan Doyle, Damien Conlon and Val Murray. Substitutions: Brian Tuohy for Doyle, and Sylvester Maguire for Conlon.
Four Masters Hugo Diver; Sean Gallagher, Brendan Boyle, Daniel Gallagher; Mervyn O'Donnell, Martin Coll, Michael Doherty; Michael McCafferty, Rory McCumhaill; Patrick Gallagher, Brian McBride, Seamus Gallagher; Sean Diver, Jody Doohan and Paul Roarty. Substitutions: Liam McGee for Patrick Gallagher and Manus Gallagher for Mervyn O'Donnell.
Referee: J. McGlanaghy (Four Masters).

Last modified: Thursday, 9 July 2020 at 10:39pm