MALIN upset the odds to knock 2012 county champions St Eunan’s out of this year’s championship on Saturday.
Played in perfect conditions in Buncrana, Ireland’s most northerly GAA club came out on tops in a deserved 3-12 to 2-07 victory.
In this evening’s other quarter-final clash in Convoy, Killybegs had a four point margin of victory – 2-11 to 2-07.
In Buncrana the game was even for most of the first half as Lee McMonagle netted for the Letterkenny side from the penalty spot to give them an early 1-03 to 0-03 lead.
Terence Doherty hit the net for Malin however to take the Inishwoen side into the lead and when Eunan’s Damien McClafferty was sent off for two yellow card offences, the momentum swung northwards.
Paul McLaughlin added a second Malin goal to take his side in 2-06 to 1-03 ahead at the break.
St Eunan’s knew they were facing an uphill battle just 20 seconds after the re-start when this time Stephen McLaughlin found the net for Malin’s third goal.
Sean McVeigh however went up the other end to net for the Letterkenny side and with points from Donnacha Gallagher reduced the deficit to 3-09 to 2-06.
Malin however weren’t to be beaten and extended their lead to win 3-12 to 2-07, an eight point victory.
The first to congratulate them were the Eunan’s team and management.
In Convoy Killybegs led by four points at half-time, 1-07 to 1-03, Hugh McFadden giving the fishermen the goal.
A goal apiece followed in the second half but Killybegs retained the margin to win.
Elsewhere’s it’s Comhghairdeas Beart. Burt are County Hurling Champions 2013. Final score at O’Donnell Park was Burt 3-13 Setanta 2-14.
Setanta can be proud of their fightback in this game, losing out by just two points in the end.
County Champs: Burt’s hurlers
