Carndonagh 1-16 Letterkenny Gaels 1-12

Conor O’Donnell was in inspirational form as Carndonagh defeated Letterkenny Gaels in the Junior ‘A’ Championship Final this evening.

County star O’Donnell scored 1-7 and led by example for the victors.

Conor McBrearty and Anthony Doherty swapped points before Diarmuid Ó Cathail pushed Gaels into a 0-2 to 0-1 lead.

Conor O’Donnell then came to the fore and scored a great goal for Carn in the 13th minute.

Brian Diver replied but O’Donnell was in the mood and swung over a two-pointer.

Cian Burke and Feargal Doherty added points before McBrearty reduced Gaels’ deficit to four with a free in the 24th minute.

Conor O’Donnell supplied the next three points for Carn before Ronan Frain hit the crossbar for the Gaels.

Burke had the final say of the first half and Michael O’Donnell’s men were 1-9 to 0-4 ahead at the break.

Cian Burke opened Carn’s account in Act Two but Shay Doherty hit back with a goal for Gaels and Conor McBrearty added a point.

Aidy Glackin’s charges kept going and got back to within three after a curling effort from Shay Doherty and a McBrearty free.

Anthony Doherty appeared to settle Carn with two quickfire scores, but Ronan Frain then struck three on the trot for Gaels.

Eoghan Kelly and McBrearty swapped points before Carn kicked for home with Danny Diver and O’Donnell (2) on target.

McBrearty had the final say from a free but it was a day of joy for Michael O’Donnell and his Carndonagh team.

Carndonagh: Daniel McDaid; Danny Diver (0-1), Danny Monagle, Eoghan Kelly (0-1); Will Quinn, James Monagle, Darragh Browne; Ryan Kelly, Sean O’Carroll; Cian Burke (0-3), Conor O’Donnell (1-7, 1tp, 1tpf), Brendan McLaughlin; Cian Doherty, Anthony Doherty (0-3), Feargal Doherty (0-1, 1f). Subs: Michael Noone, Padraig Doherty, Donal Doherty, Olan McLaughlin, Keith Norris.

Letterkenny Gaels: Mark Margey; Niall Diver, Conor Browne, Charlie Robinson; Brian Diver (0-1), Diamuid Ó Cathail (0-1), Liam McAlary; Darren Hunter, Ronan Frain (0-3, 1tp); Conor Walker, Jack Keys, Aaron Bonner; Paddy Doherty, Conor McBrearty (0-6, 6fs), Shay Doherty (1-1). Subs: Shane Graham, Anthony Diver, Matthew Winters, Will Jones, Ray Quinn.

Referee: Cathal Boland (Ardara).