BY CHRIS MCNULTY
REIGNING champions Glenswilly coasted into the Donegal SFC semi-finals this afternoon courtesy of a 14-point win over Termon in Letterkenny.
Two first-half goals by Darren McGinley and a late third from Leon Kelly helped the ruthless champions to a 3-9 to 0-4 win over their fierce derby rivals, who just couldn’t match the power and precision of Glenswilly.
Gary McDaid’s team had the game sewn up early with McGinley’s brace having them 2-6 to 0-2 ahead at half-time.
Both teams finished with 14 men as Ruairi Crawford and Anthony McGrenra saw red in the 45th minute, Crawford getting a second yellow and McGrenra given a straight red for a trip.
Glenswilly were clinical even on a day when Murphy scored just one free.
“Our boys implemented our game plan pretty well,” manager McDaid said.
“That thwarted Termon getting to play to their strengths.”
There is an ominous beat to their drum now and they meet the winners of Wednesday night’s quarter-final replay between Naomh Conaill and Ardara after their draw on Saturday in Donegal town.
Ryan Melly’s 35th minute goal had Ardara in front and Adrian Brennan’s side led by five points ten minutes into the second half.
They still needed a last-gasp Brendan McNelis free to secure a 1-09 to 0-12 draw after Anthony Thompson powered the Glenties team – for whom Dermot Molloy hit six points – ahead in the final minute.
Another bumper crowd is expected in Ballybofey on Wednesday when the swords clink again between the two old foes. That game throws in at 8pm.
A Rory Kavanagh-inspired St Eunan’s scored a 2-10 to 0-7 win over Four Masters on Saturday night. Rory Carr scored an early goal for the Letterkenny team and Darragh Mulgrew palmed in a second in the final minute after Paul Durcan misjudged Conall Dunne’s ball in.
Eunan’s were 1-6 to no score ahead at one stage, with Conor Gibbons hitting four points, and Four Masters were too reliant on Michael Doherty, who scored all but one of their tally.
St Eunan’s meet St Michael’s in the first of the semi-finals on Saturday following their 1-13 to 0-10 win over Dungloe in Ballybofey tonight.
Veteran Brian McLaughlin netted after only 35 seconds for the 2011 finalists and Colm McFadden grabbed four points. Adrian Hanlon scored six points for Dungloe, but St Michael’s always seemed in control.
The St Eunan’s v St Michael’s semi-final – a repeat of the 2006 semi won by Eunan’s – will be played in Ballybofey on Saturday night with the Glenswilly v Ardara/Naomh Conaill clash in Letterkenny on Sunday afternoon.
The semi-final pairings were also confirmed in the senior reserve championship. St Eunan’s meet Gaoth Dobhair while Dungloe will take on Ardara.
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