UNDER 21 ‘D’ CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL
Gaeil Fhánada 1-12 Naomh Colmcille 0-13
BY RYAN FERRY
GAEIL Fhánada’s dangerous inside line proved to be the difference as they saw off Naomh Colmcille at Páirc Ui Shiadhail on Saturday.
Naomh Colmcille enjoyed amble possession but simply weren’t clinical enough in front of the posts.
That wasn’t a problem for Gaeil Fhánada’s top three attackers who contributed 1-11 between them.
Naomh Colmcille were bright in the early exchanges and could have struck for a goal but Ryan Gallagher’s effort was deflected wide.
Caolan Monaghan did land three points (two frees) but they also left a number of good chances behind them.
Cormac Dunleavy eventually got Fanad motoring in the 16th minute and Daibhid Lynch quickly tagged on a brace of points to level matters.
Naomh Colmcille were hungry and Matthew Doran raised a white flag before Oisin McFadden curled over from the right wing.
Charlie McAteer had a sniff of a goal chance for Fanad but blazed over the crossbar.
Conor Heraghty then landed a nice score from range to leave the sides level at five points apiece at the break.
Newtown struck first blood at the start of the second half with Eoin Flanagan converting a free.
However, the home side responded brilliantly with a fine goal in the 32nd minute. Daibhid Lynch played a clever pass on the turn for Dunleavy, who drilled low to the net.
Dunleavy quickly tagged on another point but that was cancelled out by a free from Monaghan.
Dissent then started to become an issue for Naomh Colmcille and Lynch and Charlie McAteer both converted frees that were brought up in front of the posts.
Kai Brown made a super save from Charlie McAteer but the Fanad corner-forward wasn’t fazed as he registered a point from play and a free.
Lynch also tapped over as Gaeil Fhánada moved seven points clear entering the final quarter.
Naomh Colmcille didn’t throw in the towel and Ciaran Kennedy, Ronan Curran and Monaghan (free) were all on target.
Daibhid Lynch struck Fanad’s first point in 11 minutes and that appeared to kill off the contest.
The visitors kept battling until the final whistle and Kennedy powered over two efforts while Ronan Curran came up the field and pointed.
That left just two points between the sides but Fanad held on to reach the final.
Teams
Gaeil Fhánada: Brian Gallagher, Darragh McElwaine, Caolan McElwaine, Emmet Kelly; Jamie McAteer, Aaron McConigley, Calum McAteer; Sean Carr, Conor Heraghty (0-1); Shane Carr, Darragh O’Doherty, Declan Brougham; Cormac Dunleavy (1-2), Daibhid Lynch (0-5, 1f), Charlie McAteer (0-4, 2fs). Subs: Cormac Sweeney for Shane Carr (56 mins), Brandon Friel for Brougham (60 mins), Eoghan Logue for D.McElwaine (62 mins).
Naomh Colmcille: Kai Brown; Riordain Coyle-Carberry, Ronan Lynch (0-2), Oisin Campbell; Kevin Dolan, Ciaran Kennedy (0-3), Eoin Flanagan (0-1, 1f); Shay McCole, Dean Ramsey; Luke Coyle, Ryan Gallagher, Fintan Loughran; Matthew Doran (0-1), Caolan Monaghan (0-5, 4fs), Oisin McFadden (0-1). Sub: Emmet Rodgers for M.Doran (60 mins).
Referee: Stephen Doherty.
Gaeil Fhánada: Brian Gallagher, Darragh McElwaine, Caolan McElwaine, Emmet Kelly; Jamie McAteer, Aaron McConigley, Calum McAteer; Sean Carr, Conor Heraghty (0-1); Shane Carr, Darragh O’Doherty, Declan Brougham; Cormac Dunleavy (1-2), Daibhid Lynch (0-5, 1f), Charlie McAteer (0-4, 2fs). Subs: Cormac for Shane Carr (56 mins), Brandon Friel for Brougham (60 mins), Eoghan Logue for D.McElwaine (62 mins).
Naomh Colmcille: Kai Brown; Riordain Coyle-Carberry, Ronan Lynch (0-2), Oisin Campbell; Kevin Dolan, Ciaran Kennedy (0-3), Eoin Flanagan (0-1, 1f); Shay McCole, Dean Ramsey; Luke Coyle, Ryan Gallagher, Fintan Loughran; Matthew Doran (0-1), Caolan Monaghan (0-5, 4fs), Oisin McFadden (0-1). Sub: Emmet Rodgers for M.Doran (60 mins).
Referee: Stephen Doherty (Red Hughs).
Man of the Match: Daibhid Lynch (Gaeil Fhánada)
Lynch didn’t see a huge amount of the ball in this game but he made it count when he had the ball. He scored four points from play and also set up the goal. Cormac Dunleavy, Shaun Carr and Conor Heraghty all impressed. Ciaran Kennedy was brilliant for Naomh Colmcille while Ronan Curran and Dean Ramsey also stood out.
Turning Point: Cormac Dunleavy’s 32nd minute goal gave Fanad the lead for the first time in the game and they were always able to keep their noses in front.
The Whistler: A commanding display from Doherty, who was calm in the middle and heeded the advice of his linesmen when necessary.
Talking Point: Gaeil Fhánada don’t have a large pick at this age group but they have built up some momentum through this competition and they have a really lively inside forward line. Naomh Colmcille will be disappointed but they showed good character and that augers well for the future.
What’s Next: Gaeil Fhánada will now advance to the final where they will take on Realt na Mara, who might light work of Moville in their semi.
