Nine points by Matthew McClean blasted Kilcar into the Donegal Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta final.
Kilcar 1-15 Dungloe 1-8
By Chris McNulty at Magheragallon
McClean’s nine points – six of them from play – sent Kilcar through to tomorrow’s decider.
A goal with the last attack of the first half by Adam Neely kept Dungloe in touch, just when Dara O’Donnell’s major had helped to have put Kilcar into a six-point lead.
A brace of points by Daniel Ward brought Dungloe into the mix again, but Francie Martin’s men just couldn’t get close enough to overturn the deficit.
The sides were level at three apiece when McClean landed a majestic score from distance. McClean’s soaring effort beautifully split the sticks just as the sun began to beat down on Magheragallon.
McClean twice had earlier attempts cancelled out by Dungloe’s Oisin Bonner.
A ’45 by Dungloe goalkeeper Danny Rodgers put the Rosses men in front, but it was only a brief lead as a sweeping effort by Mark Sweeney levelled it up.
Kilcar were without their county contingent of Patrick McBrearty, Ryan McHugh and Eoin McHugh and their absent list also contained the names of Stephen McBrearty, Mark McHugh, Michael Hegarty and Andrew McClean.
Kilcar took control with three-in-a-row by Sweeney, McClean and Oran Doogan.
Two minutes before half-time, Kilcar powered clear. Ciaran McGinley, back full-time in the club colours this year, surged along the endline and his ball across was steered home by O’Donnell.
However, Dungloe hit back with the last kick of the first half and a delightful goal by Neely had Dungloe within three (1-6 to 1-3) at the interval.
Neely improvised to brilliantly flick the ball up for himself and a cracking finish flew beyond Eamonn McGinley to give his side renewed hope.
Dungloe stayed on Kilcar’s coat tails throughout the second half. Ten minutes from the end, Shane Gillespie’s shot was turned onto a post by Rodgers.
Kilcar: Eamonn McGinley; Dylan O’Gara, Pauric Carr, Barry McGinley; Brian O’Donnell, Barry Shovlin, Pauric McShane; Ciaran McGinley, Conor Doherty; Oran Doogan (0-2), Mark Sweeney (0-3), Matthew McClean (0-9, 3f); Kenny Doogan, Dara O’Donnell (1-1), Ryan O’Donnell. Subs: Stephen Shovlin for K.Doogan (44), Shane Gillespie for McGinley (45), Cormac O’Leimi for McShane (57), Martin Byrne for R O’Donnell (57).
Dungloe: Danny Rodgers (0-1, 1 ’45); Jack Scally, Matthew Ward, Jason McBride; David McCarron, Gerard Walsh, Barry Curran; Darren Curran, Noel McBride; Conor O’Donnell, Daniel Ward (0-2), Christy Greene; Adam Neely (1-1), Conor Greene (0-1), Oisin Bonner (0-3, 2f). Subs: Matthew O’Donnell for Christy Greene (48), Sean Wallace for D.Curran (58)
Referee: Robbie O’Donnell (Naomh Muire)
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