Letterkenny Gaels 2-13 Naomh Bríd 0-14
A STRONG first half paved the way to victory for Letterkenny Gaels against Naomh Bríd at O’Donnell Park on Saturday afternoon.
Gaels dominated the opening half-hour and led by 2-11 to 0-2 at the break after goals from Ben Gallagher and Joe Friel.
It was only in the last twenty minutes that Naomh Bríd started to motor and Kevin Timoney’s placed-ball kicking saw them ate into their deficit.
If they had another ten minutes, they might have made things interesting but Gaels had done enough and deservedly were crowned champions.
Anthony McDaid’s Gaels made a fast start with Joe Friel and Rowan Smith on target within seventy seconds.
Billy Harron opened Naomh Bríd’s account but DJ McCauley soon cancelled that out.
The Gaels then swooped for a terrific goal in the eighth minute.
Shane Graham – better known as a goalkeeper – drilled a sideline ball in towards the edge of the square where Ben Gallagher fielded superbly and then smashed the ball to the net despite being fouled.
The Trummon men almost had the perfect response but Declan McCafferty’s low shot came back off the post.
Gaels soon started to move up through the gears and they posted the next five points.
Adam Duffy notched a free and a two-pointer from play, while Gallagher and Friel were also on target.
The Letterkenny side then moved 2-8 to 0-1 ahead when Gallagher set up Friel who showed great composure to finish into the top corner.
Billy Harron notched Naomh Bríd’s first score in 21 minutes, but Graham was soon target at the other end with a free.
Rowan Smith used the breeze to loft over a two-pointer and his team were 15 ahead and cruising at the break.
Gaels continued to dominate after the restart and Matthew Callaghan was denied a goal by a superb save from Jay Gallagher.
Naomh Bríd were then guilty of two breaches for not leaving three players in attack and then for not leaving three at the back. Friel punished both indiscretions with tapover frees.
It was a miserable outing for Naomh Bríd up until that stage but they were able to pick things up after the third quarter.
Kevin Timoney converted a placed ball and then a two-point free.
They kept the scoreboard ticking with Timoney scoring two frees and Declan McCafferty hitting a nice point from play.
Gaels miscued a couple of efforts in the second half but they weren’t unduly worried as they were still well clear.
Timoney was brilliant in the closing stages and added another brace of two-pointers.
Naomh Bríd eventually ran out of time, and Brian McCabe’s final whistle soon blew.
Unfortunately tempers frayed in what had been a sporting contest until that juncture.
When things settled down red cards were given to Jamie Anderson of Naomh Bríd and Gaels defender Daithi McDaid.
It was then left to Gaels captain Gerard Gibbons to pick up the cup.
Letterkenny Gaels: Mark Margey; Jamie Callaghan, Donal Farrelly, Daithi McDaid; Shaun McGilloway, John Doran, Adam Duffy (0-3, 1tp, 1f); Rowan Smith (0-3, 1tp), Gerard Gibbons; Matthew Callaghan, Ben Gallagher (1-1), DJ McCauley (0-1); Shane Graham (0-1, 1f), Charlie Creevy, Joe Friel (1-4, 2fs). Subs: Nicky McGarrigle for Creevy (38 mins), Darragh Doherty for Graham (50 mins), Ronan Curran for McCauley (55 mins), Ronan Barron for J.Callaghan (57 mins), Kyle Doherty for M.Callaghan (60 mins).
Naomh Bríd: Jay Gallagher; Michael Travers, Sam Burgess, Paul Diver; Ben Murphy, TJ Gallagher, Dylan McGrory; Cale Breslin, Sean Gormley; Eoin Mullaney, Tadhg McGarrigle, Jamie Anderson; Billy Harron (0-2), Kevin Timoney (0-11, 2tps, 2tpfs, 3fs), Declan McCafferty (0-1). Subs: Callum McGrory for Mullaney (38 mins), Darragh Brogan for D.McGrory (48 mins).
Referee: Brian McCabe (St Naul’s).