A super point from 40 meters by Conor Gibbons ( pictured above ) in the 4th minute of added time, his 10th of the match, earned St. Eunans a point in this keenly contested All County Division One clash at O’Donnell Park.
Gweedore were less than pleased with the amount of time added by Referee Val Murray but on the balance of play a draw was probably the fairest result between two very committed teams in a game played in perfect conditions. St. Eunans 0-13 V 2-07 Gweedore.
The teams were level at the break after a low scoring first-half , the scoring ratio kept low by a number of wides by both teams and a penalty driven wide by the home team’s Niall Hannigan in the 27th minute.
Conor Gibbons free and Conor ‘Duck’ O Donnell’s 45 had Eunans two points ahead in the 7th minute. It took Gweedore until the 11th minute to raise a flag and it was an excellent score. Kevin Cassidy quickly delivered a side-line ball to Gavin Mc Bride inside, he fetched it and unloaded to Eamonn Collum who drilled it low to the net. Cassidy pointed in the 16th minute but Gibbons quickly replied from play and Mc Bride made it a two point game from a free in the 19th minute.
Three minutes later Gweedore should have had a second goal when Cassidy intercepted an attempted pass , transferred to James Carroll but with the goal at his mercy he blasted wide.
Conor O Donnell finished off a good Eunans move with a fine point to leave the minimum between them and the home side got a great chance to lead at the break when Brillant play by Conor Parke sent Aaron Deeney in on goal and when he was taken down a penalty was awarded but Niall Hannigan dragged his shot wide. On the stroke of half-time Gibbons converted another free to leave it 0-05 to 1-02 at half-time.
Charlie Collins reports from O’Donnell Park.
Kevin Cassidy had Gweedore quickly ahead again at the start of the second-half , tapping over after his effort for goal had rebounded back off the crossbar. Cassidy then shot wide when well placed a minute later but James Carroll left two in it with a good point from play. Conor Gibbons replied with two frees, Collum put Gweedore ahead again, Gibbons equalised from play and then sub Lee Mc Monagle put Eunans ahead for the first time since the 7th minute with a fine score. Gavin Mc Bride and Gibbons exchanged frees to leave Eunans 0-10 to 1-06 ahead but in the 51th minute Collum was fouled close to goal and McBride slotted the penalty low passed Matthew Gallagher to give the visitors a two point lead. Eunans were reduced to 14 men when Oisín Toal was red carded for a foul but two frees by Gibbons had them level in the 56th minute.
After his free from 40mts dropped shot and was pushed out for a 45 Gavin Mc Bride got a second chance and this time made no mistake to restore Gweedore’s lead in the 59th minute.
Eunans pressed hard but when Darragh Mulgrew shot wide in the 63rd minute the game looked lost.
But much to the annoyance of the visitors’ supporters, referee Murray allowed time for one more attack by the home team and Gibbons decide to take the responsibility of the shot on himself and was rewarded with a super point to earn his team a share of the spoils.
St.Eunans ; Matthew Gallagher, Conor Parke , Sean Hensey , Anthony Gallagher, Oisin Toal , Aaron Deeney , Sean Halvey , Conor O Donnell ( 0-01 ) Darragh Mulgrew , Niall Hannigan, Ross Wherity , Brian Mc Intyre, Conor ‘Duck’ O Donnell ( 0-01 45), Rory Kavanagh, Conor Gibbons ( 0-10 7f ) . SUBS ; Conal Dunne for Wherity ( h/t), Lee Mc Monagle ( 0-1) for Hannigan ( 42mins), Jamie Doherty for O’Donnell ( 50mins ), Ciaran Mc Closkey for Mc Intyre Gweedore ; Christopher Sweeney , Seaghan Ferry, Christopher Mc Fadden, Gary Mc Fadden, Niall Friel, Daniel Mc Bride, Conor Mc Cafferty, Peter Mc Gee, Odhran McFadden-Ferry, James Carroll ( 0-01), Sean Boyle , Neasan O Boaill, Eamonn Collum ( 1-01), Kevin Cassidy ( 0-02 ), Gavin Mc Bride ( 1-03 pen/45). SUBS : Neasan Mc Bride for Boyle (h/t), Proinsias Gallagher for Mc Bride ( black Card 60mins ). Referee; Val Murray ( Aodh Rua ).
