By Diarmaid Doherty

Letterkenny Gaels . . . 5-14

Naomh Brid . . . 2-19 

(After extra time)

CONOR McBrearty scored three goals as Letterkenny Gaels came through a rip-roaring Junior A Championship semi-final against Naomh Brid in Crossroads, Killygordon on Saturday afternoon.

This high-scoring affair served up so many big talking points, incidents and excitement which was eventually decided after extra-time.

It was a close game from the off and the sides were level at half-time, 3-2 to 0-11 – the Gaels goals coming from a McBrearty penalty, Shay Doherty and Brian Diver.

Eoin Rush and Callum Gallagher were among the scorers in the first half for a Naomh Brid side who played well throughout but lost Callum Gallagher to a straight red card late on. However, a late Gearoid Gallagher goal for the Ballintra men helped ensure that the sides would finish level at the end of normal time, Gaels 5-08, Naomh Brid 2-17.

The Letterkenny side kicked on to victory in extra-time, scoring six points to Naomh Brid’s two, and they advance to a first Junior A final since they won the title in 2022. 

They will play Carndonagh in the final after they had a three point win over St Mary’s., Convoy in the other semi-final.

See Monday’s Donegal News for full coverage.