Dungloe travelled to Donegal town last night for the county hurling final against Letterkenny Gaels and defeated them on a scoreline of 4-09 to 1-08 to create history for the club by winning the club’s first ever hurling championship.
They reached the final on the back of a strong performance against Setanta in the semi- final.
A vocal Dungloe crowd were treated to good weather and a great game of hurling.
Dungloe were nervous in the first exchanges and with the exception of James Hartnett who scored three fine points were below par in the middle third and saw a poor return from puck outs and loose balls.
Dungloe’s full back line was busy in this period with stalwart defending by Lochlainn O’Dea, Odhran McGonagle and Brendan Boyle.
Jaimi Doherty in goal pulled off two great saves to keep Dungloe in the game.
Dungloe conceded some soft frees and despite some good centre back play by Thomas Hartnett couldn’t made significant inroads into attack.
Dungloe trailed by 1.7 to 0.3 at half-time.
Half-time brought some positional changes and rejuvenation to Dungloe.
The ever industrious Kyle wiggins moved to centre forward from midfield, David Hanlon from centre forward to centre back and Thomas Hartnett from centre back to midfield.
Kyle immediately stopped the surging runs of the Gaels danger man at centre back, David Hanlon took control of the centre back position and Thomas Hartnett and Matthew secured midfield and Dungloe began to march on.
Nicholas Wherely began to get the measure of his man and Dungloe were now moving well.
A goaled 21 yard free Anthony Nash style by Daithi Roberts when James Hartnett was taken down and points by Matthew and Thomas suddenly had the Dungloe heads up and they were now dominating possession. Gaels 1.7 dungloe 1.5.
Two well won frees by dungloe converted by Daithi Roberts brought Dungloe level and the crowd was urging Dungloe forward at this stage.
Dungloe forwards were moving well with Oisin campbell and Philip Rodgers coming close.
It was then that Harry Noble decided it was his evening and with a two goal blitz in four minutes he left Gaels reeling.
Thomas hartnett added another great point off his left side and Daithi Roberts another free.
Gaels responded with what was to be their only score of the second half, Dungloe 3.9 Gaels 1.8.
The standard of hurling was terrific and Gaels surged forward again met with some tenacious tackling by the Dungloe backs including Eoin De Burca and substitutes Eamonn McGarvey and Joseph Greene and Joseph Doyle.
Ben Boyle and Dara Ward refreshed the forwards and did well including a great catch and pass by the latter leading to a Roberts point and finishing a fine team move.
The result was capped with a well taken goal by James Hartnett, jinking through a wall of defenders and goaling.
The final whistle was met with great excitement for Dungloes historic achievement and congratulations to both teams on a hugely entertaining game.
Other vital members of the Dungloe panel and who featured en route to the final were Michael McNulty, Gerard Glackin, Ethan Ward, Philip McGee, Sean Doherty Pierce Quinn, Gavin McCole and Jake O’Mahony.
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