Gaeil Fhánada 2-11 An Fháirce 0-10
BY RYAN FERRY
Gaeil Fhánada were pushed hard by An Fháirce in Ardara on Sunday afternoon but came good down the home stretch to take the victory and reach Monday’s Junior final at Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta.
The Fanad men impressed in the first half and were 1-7 to 0-3 ahead at the break.
However, An Fháirce came back strongly in the second half and made a real fist of things.
However, a goal from nippy corner-forward Seamus Mac Giolla Chearra killed off the contest in the 55th minute.
Gaeil Fhánada defeated Lios Poil in the quarter-final in a tight match on Saturday.
However, they largely fielded a second string side in that match which meant their players were fresh on Sunday morning.
They started well with Liam Mac Reannacháin notching a two-pointer in the sixth minute while Seamus Ó Frighil added a free.
Darren Mac Giolla Bhain could have had a goal in the 14th minute but was denied by a smart save and Fanad sent the follow-up wide as well.
However, full-forward Ó Frighil scored a point from play and a free, while Odhrán Ó Siadhail powered up from full-back to dissect the posts.
That left the Donegal junior champions six ahead after twenty minutes.
An Fháirce had offered very little up until that juncture but they did rally and posted three points on the trot.
Darragh Mac Bhearsula, Niall Ó Canámha and Pádraig Ferrick all slotted over.
Gaeil Fhánada didn’t panic and a slice of good fortune came their way three minutes into first half injury-time.
Mac Reannacháin tried to score a point from distance but his effort was partially blocked.
It then dropped dangerously around the square and with Pádraig Mac Giolla Chearra lurking, the Galway goalkeeper was distracted and the ball landed in the net.
Seamus Mac Giolla Chearra tagged on a good point after finishing a move that started when he won the break at midfield.
Gaeil Fhánada were 1-7 to 0-3 ahead at the break but An Fháirce made a good start to the second half.
Darragh Mac Bhearsula pointed before Fanad ‘keeper Eoin Mac Conaglaigh made a great stop from powerful full-forward Jonathan Ó Flannagain.
Breanainn Mac Laifeartaigh curled over a nice effort for Fanad but they remained under pressure.
Darragh Mac Bhearsula struck the post with a piledriver but the play was brought back for a free which the centre-forward converted himself.
The Galway champions started to impose their physicality and Fanad struggled with that.
Alex Ó Cathain nailed a two-point free while Darragh Mac Bhearsula pointed.
Ronan Mac Bhearsula had a glorious goal chance but blazed over while Ferrick’s attempt at a point hit the crossbar and almost landed in the net.
Fanad saw their lead cut to two but a long period of possession helped to wrestle back control.
Eventually Darren Mac Giolla Bhain pointed for their first score in 17 minutes.
And moments later, the killer goal arrived. Mac Giolla Bhain fed Eoin Ó Ludhog who set up Seamus Mac Giolla Chearra to hammer to the roof of the net.
Ó Frighil and Darragh Mac Bhearsula but it was Gaeil Fhánada’s day and a late fisted effort from Seamus Mac Giolla Chearra ensured they will progress through to today’s final where Mayo champions Tuar Mhic Eadaigh await after they made light work of Na Gaeil Óga on Sunday and won by nine points.
Gaeil Fhánada: Eoin Mac Conaglaigh; Calum Mac an tSaoir, Odhrán Ó Siadhail (0-1), Ronan Mac an tSaoir; Seamus Mac Giolla Choille, Seán Mac Giolla Chearra, Conchuir Ó hEireachtaigh; Oisin Ó Siadhail, Pádraig Mac Giolla Chearra; Liam Mac Reannacháin (1-2, 1tp), Darren Mac Giolla Bhain (0-1), Eoin Ó Ludhog; Seamus Mac Giolla Chearra (1-2), Seamus Ó Frighil (0-4, 3fs), Marc Mac an tSaoir. Subs: Breanainn Mac Laifeartaigh (0-1) for Seán Mac Giolla Chearra (30+4 mins), Micheál Mac Suibhne for M.Mac an tSaoir (54 mins), Oisin Mac Pháidin for Mac Reannacháin (56 mins), Seamus Mac an tSaoir for Ó Ludhog (60 mins), Seaghan Mac Giolla Chearra for Seamus Mac Giolla Chearra (63 mins).
An Fháirce: Tomás Breathnach; Eimhin Ó Canámha, Seamus Mac Bhearsula, Micheál Ó Cadhain; Micheál Philbin, Damien Ó Muireann, Cillian Mac Ghiolla Fianna; Ailein Ó Cadhain, Niall Ó Canámha (0-1); Sonny Ó Caidhain, Darragh Mac Bhearsula (0-5, 2fs), Alex Ó Cathain (0-2, 1tpf); Cian Seoighe, Jonathan Ó Flannagain, Daire Ó Maoildhuaidh. Subs: Pádraig Ferrick (0-1) for Seoighe (25 mins), Ronan Mac Bhearsula (0-1) for Ó Maoildhuaidh (46 mins), Dean Mac Mahuna for Philbin (54 mins), Finnbarr Cadhain for Ó Flannagain (60 mins).
Referee: Mairtin Ó Colla (Gaoth Dobhair).
Man of the Match: Seamus Mac Giolla Chearra (Gaeil Fhánada)
Mac Giolla Chearra didn’t see a huge amount of the ball but when he had it, he was a real threat and posted 1-2 from play. Ronan Mac an tSaoir, Darren Mac Giolla Bhain, and Seamus Ó Frighil all had their moments for Fanad in this win. Darragh Mac Bhearsula looked the part for An Fháirce.
Turning Point: Ronan Mac Bhearsula had a glorious chance to put An Fháirce on level terms in the 48th minute but blazed his effort over the bar. Fanad steadied up after that scare and were the better team from then on.
The Whistler: Ó Colla let plenty go as he usually does and Fanad struggled to adapt to that at times.
Talking Point: After a great start, this match developed into a real battle for Gaeil Fhánada in the second half. They had some nervous moments but gradually weathered the storm. Injuries to Sean Joe Mac Giolla Chearra and centre-back Seán Mac Giolla Chearra are concerns as they are two influential players. However, Fanad won the Junior Gaeltacht title in 2022 and that experience may help them against Tuar Mhic Eadaigh.
What’s Next: Gaeil Fhánada now advance to the All-Ireland Junior Gaeltacht Final where they will face Mayo side Tuar Mhic Eadaigh on Bank Holiday Monday at 2pm in Towney.