St. Michael’s overcame Aodh Ruadh in their opening game of the Division 1 League Campaign this evening in Dunfanaghy.
St. Michael’s 2-14 Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon 1-10
Aodh Ruadh, who were a powerhouse in Donegal football for many years, were returning to the top tier of Donegal football for the first time in 10 years and on despite this loss their performance would seem to point to them not been out of their depth at the top table.
This was an entertaining match played in sunny if cold conditions and among the large crowd in attendance was the County Chairman Mick McGrath.
It was the visitors who hit the front early on with a point from O’Boyle, they went further ahead with a goal from David McGurn before Daniel McLaughlin and Michael Langan replied with points for the home side.
The impressive Diarmaid Mc Inerney stretched their lead with two more points added to efforts from David Dolan and O’Donnell. However the home side put together a devastating five minutes of football with point from Colin McFadden, Colm McFadden and Michael Langan (2) topped off by a goal from Andrew Kelly meant that St. Michael’s led at the break on a scoreline of St. Michael’s 1-8 Aodh Ruadh 1-5.
Aodh Ruadh reduced the deficit with points from McKelvey and Shane McGrath before Andrew Kelly struck for his second gaol and Colm McFadden added a point to take the game away from the men from the banks of the Erne.
Aodh Ruadh tried hard but Colm McFadden added three more points and Odhrán McFadden a point each to keep the Bridge men in front. Mc Inerney and David McGurn replied with points for Aodh Rua and Peter Boyle in the Aodh Rua goal made two fine saves. In the end St. Michael’s ran out winners on a scoreline of St. Michael’s 2-15 Aodh Ruadh 1-10.
This was a good opening match in the league for both teams but it will be the home Manager Michael Kelly who will be the happier to have picked up two valuable league points.
St Michael’s: Dean McColgan, Liam Kelly, Michael McGinley, Michael The Rock Gallagher, Ruairi Friel, Ciaran Gallagher, Oisin Langan, Michael Langan 0-3, Liam Paul Ferry, Daniel McLaughlin 0-1, Colm McFadden 0-7, Colin McFadden, Odhrán McFadden 0-1, Martin McElhinney and Andrew Kelly 2-2.
Aodh Ruadh: Peter Boyle, Johnny Gallagher, Damien Cleary, Johnny Gethins; Jason Granaghan, Colm Kelly, Eddie Lynch, Conor Patton, David Dolan 0-1, Diarmuid McInerney 0-5, David McGurrin 1-1, Nathan Boyle 0-1, Shane McGrath 0-1, Darren Drummond 0-1, Sean Taylor.
Referee: Liam McConigley
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