Gweedore United halted Letterbarrow Celtic’s notions of moving clear at the top of the Donegal Physiotheapy & Performance Centre Division 2.
Gweedore United 3 Letterbarrow Celtic 2
By Charlie Collins at Carrickboyle
Letterbarrow fell to a narrow loss that means they drop three points behind Raphoe Town, who won on the road at Dunkineely Celtic.
Gweedore led after just five minutes. Kieran Gildea saved well from Ciaran McFadden and the Letterbarrow ‘keeper did superbly to thwart Cathal Gillespie’s rebound. However, at the third attempt, Gweedore forced the ball home as Stephen McFadden converted.
Letterbarrow had a big chance to draw level when Kevin McBrearty burst though onto a long ball. McBrearty beat Aodhan Gillespie in the Gweedore goal, but Frank McGee’s super goal-line block denied him.
After Gillespie saved from McBrearty, Letterbarrow drew level when McBrearty drilled low and hard to the bottom corner.
Letterbarrow almost scored another in an instant, but John Roper, after being fed by Daniel Gillespie, shot off the post.
Gweedore attacker Ciaran McFadden was just inches from connecting to and converting from a Cathal Gillespie cross, while Letterbarrow’s James McGroary fizzed a free-kick narrowly wide late in the first period.
Letterbarrow Celtic
Just two minutes into the second half, Gweedore regained the lead as Stephen McFadden fed Ciaran McFadden. Still with a lot to do, he pushed past the defender, before riffling past the helpless Gildea.
Letterbarrow were denied an equaliser when Kevin McBrearty beat Gillespie to a loose ball to put the ball in the net. Referee Sean O’Donnell felt that McBrearty had fouled and scratched off the ‘goal’.
Fifteen minutes from the end, Gweedore made it 3-1 when Mark McFadden volleyed home.
Letterbarrow made them sweat when Pauric McHugh prodded to the net after James McGroary was denied by a fine save from Gillespie.
Gweedore, however, held on.
Gweedore United: Aodhan Gillespie, Roan Turk, James Gallagher, Frank McGee, Paul Duggan, Brian Gallagher, Padraig McFadden, Mark McFadden, Cathal Gillespie, Ciaran McFadden, Stephen McFadden. Subs: Matic Haluska for P.McFadden (81), Matthew Harkin for C.McFadden (85), Owenie Gallagher for M.McFadden (90).
Letterbarrow Celtic: Kieran Gildea, John Roper, Allan Foxton, John Kenny, Christopher Burke, Dermot Slevin, Daniel Gallagher, David Dorrian, James McGroary, Gerard McBrearty, Kevin McBrearty. Subs: Pauric McHugh for Gallagher (60), Gavin Mulreany for McBreatrty (65), Paddy Ward for Roper (80).
Referee: Sean O’Donnell.
