An Termainn 2-11
Gaoth Dobhair 1-15
By Matthew Wilson
Gaoth Dobhair secured a narrow one-point win over An Termainn to progress to the next round of the Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta at the Burn Road on Saturday.
The two teams were all-square as we entered stoppage time at the An Termainn venue however, a late free from Éamonn Ó Colm sealed the victory for the visitors.
Gaoth Dobhair started this encounter on the front foot, with Éamonn Ó Colm slotting over a superb two-pointer after two minutes of play.
Two further white flags from Ó Colm left the away team with a four-point cushion after seven minutes of play.
An Termainn responded immediately as Daire McDaid got his side off the mark at the other end but it was quickly cancelled out by Cathal Mac Giolla Easpuig.
On the ten minute mark, the visitors saw their cushion extended to seven when they found the back of the net.
A long ball from Ethan Ó Hearcáin was aimed in the direction of Eoin de Búrca but it broke into the path of Liam Breathnach who placed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
The next four scores of this contest were shared two-apiece, with John James Sweeney and Daire McDaid (free) finding the target for the hosts while Ethan Ó Hearcáin and Jordi Ó Griobúin posted the points for the visitors.
Sweeney soon landed his second score of the encounter to leave six points between the two sides.
In the closing stages of Act One, An Termainn bagged a major of their own as Patrick Fegan darted through on goal before finding the bottom corner of the net, leaving three points between the sides at the break.
Like the first half, Gaoth Dobhair started brightly after the restart and quickly pushed their advantage back to six points.
Ethan Ó Hearcáin landed a superb effort from outside the arc before Éamonn Ó Colm slotted the ball over the bar moments later.
However, An Termainn responded with three points of their own through Ricky Gallagher and Daire McDaid (two-pointed free) to leave three between them again with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Act Two continued to be a finely poised affair, with the next six scores being traded by the sides.
Ethan Ó Hearcáin (two-pointer) and Stiofán Mac Pháidín found the target for Ronan Mac Niallais’ men while substitute Ryan McFadden replied with three scores for the Burn Road residents.
Daire McDaid and Ethan Ó Hearcáin exchanged placed balls as we entered the closing stages of this encounter before An Termainn landed their second major.
Jack Alcorn dropped a high ball dangerously into the square and it broke to the awaiting Ryan McFadden who volleyed the ball home, leaving us all-square.
Gaoth Dobhair were soon reduced to 14 men as Pat Barrett flashed a red card in the direction of Gary Mac Pháidín and it looked as if An Termainn may have gone on to seal the win, with the momentum behind them.
However, the visitors responded superbly and Éamonn Ó Colm landed a brilliant free in stoppage time to seal the win for the Magheragallon residents.
Teams
An Termainn: Emmett Maguire; Caolan Gallagher, Emmett McGettigan; Patrick Fegan (1-0), Conor Cassidy, Ricky Gallagher (0-1); Kevin McGettigan, Steve McDaid; John James Sweeney (0-2), Jack Alcorn, James McSherry; Daire McDaid (0-5, 1tpf, 2f), Gary McGettigan, Shea Boyle. Subs: Ryan McFadden (1-3,1tp) for Gary McGettigan (half-time), Anthony Grant for Sweeney (48 mins).
Gaoth Dobhair: Daniel Ó Rabhartaigh, Dallan Ó Baoill, Gary Mac Pháidín, Éamonn Mac Giolla Bhríde, Ethan Ó Hearcáin (0-6, 1 45’), Fiarchra Mac Giolla Chóill, Seán Ó Dónaill, Adam Mac Iomhair, Jordi Ó Griobúin (0-1), Fionnán Mac Giolla Chóill , Stiofán Mac Pháidín (0-1), Liam Breathnach (1-0), Cathal Mac Giolla Easpuig (0-1), Éamonn Ó Colm (0-6,1f), Eoin de Búrca. Subs: Colm Ó Dochartaigh for Breathnach (42 mins), Odhrán Mac Niallais for Stiofán Mac Pháidín (50 mins).
Referee: Pat Barrett (Baile na nGallóglach).