Sean MacCumhaills 1-16
Dungloe 3-8
BY RYAN FERRY
SEAN MacCumhaills were two in front on the scoreboard at the end of Sunday’s match with Dungloe but there could yet be further action following this encounter in Lifford.
Damian Devaney and Luke Gavigan Snr’s MacCumhaills led for much of the game but two second half goals from Dungloe saw them come storming back.
Indeed the Rosses men felt they had pushed two ahead but the referee Ryan Walsh then informed both teams that the scoreboard was incorrect and that the sides were level.
That wasn’t in line with this reporter’s score-keeping or some members from both clubs.
It must be said that the Dungloe management didn’t make a big issue of the matter at the time and play continued.
Fintan Griffin landed a good effort before Tomás McNulty had the final say of note as he posted a two-pointer for MacCumhaills which granted them the win, even though others who were keeping score felt the match should have ended in a draw.
The opening score came from a Jamie Keegan free after the referee Walsh penalised Dungloe for dissent.
Karl Magee landed beauty for Dungloe but the Twin Towns were more accurate early on and Aaron Kelly and Jamie Keegan followed up with points.
Killian Gillespie popped over for the Rosses side and they grabbed a goal in the 17th minute.
Daniel Ward showed strength to win a 50/50 ball on the win and Matthew Ward and Daire Gallagher were involved before Conor Greene hammered a shot off the crossbar and into the net.
Aaron Kelly and Daire Gallagher traded points and Dungloe were defending well up until late in the half.
However, MacCumhaills then broke through for 1-1.
The lively Keegan found the space to slot over and Dungloe lost the subsequent kick-out.
Cian Gallen retrieved possession and fed the onrushing Ruairi Callaghan and he set up McNulty to smash high past Danny Rodgers.
Dungloe were 1-5 to 1-3 down at the break but there was a bizarre start to the second half when Keegan broke from the 45 metre line before throw in and Walsh brought the ball forward where Oisin Bonner tapped over a free.
MacCumhaills upped the ante after that and Kelly posted a point before Keegan registered the next three scores.
Dungloe called Conor Greene out for a kick-out and he won the ball near the sideline and MacCumhaills felt he had been pushed over.
However play continued and Darren Curran did well before Damien McGowan and Dylan Sweeney set Bonner up to hammer to the net.
Dungloe benefited twice from frees brought forward which Bonner converted.
Ruairi Callaghan drilled over a two-pointer for MacCumhaills while Conor Greene pointed a free in the 47th minute for Dungloe.
Keegan hit back with a free before Dungloe registered their third goal.
Darren Curran did brilliantly to set up Matthew Ward and he made no mistake with a smart finish.
Dylan Sweeney added a point to Dungloe’s tally and it was at this stage that the controversy started brewing as Walsh asked for the scoreboard to be changed even though it appeared to be reading correctly.
Bonner and Griffin swapped points as the game entered the closing stages.
Teenager Tomás McNulty then came up trumps for MacCumhaills with a splendid two-pointer off his left foot.
Dungloe played the last few minutes as if they were behind and Luke Clerkin hit the post with a free before Eoin Gallen saved a punched effort from Conor Greene.
There were no issues or extensive queries when the final whistle blew and it will be interesting to see if Dungloe opt to take the matter any further.
Sean MacCumhaills: Eoin Gallen; Alan Sproule, Christopher Gallagher, Fionn McGinty; Darragh Boyle, Luke Gavigan, Ruairi Callaghan (0-2, 1tp); Adam Byrne, Fintan Griffin (0-1); Andrew Murray, Jamie Keegan (0-7, 2fs, 1tpf), Cian Gallen; Tomás McNulty (1-2, 1tp), Aaron Kelly (0-3), Oisin McGlinchey. Sub: Cian Mulligan for Murray (59 mins).
Dungloe: Danny Rodgers; Jason McBride, Conor O’Donnell, Patrick O’Donnell; Killian Gillespie (0-1), Matthew Ward (1-0), Karl Magee (0-1); Darren Curran, Dylan Sweeney (0-1); Luke Clerkin, Daire Gallagher (0-1), Damien McGowan; Daniel Ward, Conor Greene (1-1, 1f), Oisin Bonner (1-4, 3fs). Subs: Christopher O’Donnell for Gillespie (Half-time), Shaun McGee and Cianan McDaid for McGowan and D.Ward (45 mins), Danny McCready for Bonner (55 mins).
Referee: Ryan Walsh (Bundoran).
Man of the Match: Jamie Keegan (Sean MacCumhaills)
Keegan is a class act and he was excellent in this win for MacCumhaills. Fintan Griffin, Tomás McNulty, and Aaron Kelly all stood out. Jason McBride, Matthew Ward and Darren Curran caught the eye for Dungloe.
Turning Point: A big twist arrived in this match when Dungloe appeared to be two points in front only to be told that the scoreboard was wrong and that the sides were level.
The Whistler: Walsh found himself at the centre of attention as he penalised both teams by bringing the ball forward on a couple of occasions. He then appeared to grant MacCumhaills a point instead of Dungloe which had a telling impact on the final scoreline.
Talking Point: This was a good game of football played in good conditions but the scoreline controversy was the main talking point arising from the match. Dungloe are just back up in Division 1 and while they have started well with three points to their name, it will be intriguing to see if they appeal the outcome of this match as it appeared they should have been entitled to a share of the spoils.
What’s Next: Dungloe host St Eunan’s on Saturday evening and Sean MacCumhaills are away to Naomh Muire.