Gaoth Dobhair won their 7th Donegal Under-21 A Championship in a dramatic extra-time win over Termon in O’Donnell Park.
Gaoth Dobhair 3-7 Termon 2-8
Termon went into half-time 1-4 to 1-3 up with a Bobby McGettigan goal cancelling out Fionnan Coyle’s early strike.
But a second half scarce of scores saw just a Stiofán Mac Phaidín free the only score of the 30 minutes until a dramatic added time.
Each side were awarded a penalty with Mac Phaidín firing down the middle before Ryan McFadden levelled in the 8th minute of added time.
Both sides hit two points in the first half of extra-time but Eoin de Búrca’s goal, fisting in from a long ball in from Mac Phaidín with five minutes to go gave them a two point lead.
Gary McGettigan’s mark brought it back to a point in added time, but Cathal Mac Giolla Easpaig pointed with seconds remaining to confirm the win for Chris McFadden’s side.
It was four seasons in an hour in Letterkenny, with heavy showers before the game and at kick-off the sun was shining before another spell of hailstones midway through the half.
Aodhan Breathnach thought he had the first score of the game after two minutes but after the umpire waved the white flag, it was overturned.
Termon then went right up the other end and Aaron Reid pointed well, cutting in on his left foot to get the first score.
Gaoth Dobhair had another chance when Stiofan Mac Phaidin crossed soccer style into Cian Mac Giolla Bhríde, but he scuffed his shot attempt along the ground.
But Gaoth Dobhair got their first score on ten minutes when Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde fired a long ball into Eoin de Búrca, who pushed the ball down for Fionnan Coyle and after a slip in the Termon defence, he fired the ball along the ground and into the bottom left corner.
A quick counter from Termon almost saw an instant goal back as Jamie Grant countered and 2-on-1, he had the chance to pass to Gary McGettigan but he opted for the point.
Good play down the left from Gaoth Dobhair restored their two point lead through Eoin de Búrca, but a Ryan McFadden free and a Mark Gallagher point from a long ball in levelled the game on 17 minutes.
Coyle picked up a loose ball 20 metres out to add a point to his tally, while Stiofán Mac Phaidín’s free gave Gaoth Dobhair the two point lead again.
A missed chance by Aaron Reid to put Termon level was soon made up for after Cian McMenamin’s long ball went under the Gaoth Dobhair defendeer and Bobby McGettigan poked the ball past Daithí Roberts, giving Termon a 1-4 to 1-3 lead at half-time.
The second half offered little in the way of points, with Stiofán Mac Phaidín pointing from a free after 15 minutes in.
Termon had a couple big chances, with Conor Black racing forward and finding Bobby McGettigan in for a goal chance but Cian Mac an tSaoi made a brilliant tackle and moments later Jamie Grant hit the post in an attempt to give his side a point lead with minutes remaining.
Gaoth Dobhair thoght they had won the game when Dáire Ferry won a penalty in added time and Stiofán Mac Phaidín went down the middle with Termon ‘keeper Thomas Cannon diving to his left, Gaoth Dobhair a goal ahead with four minutes added.
And it wasn’t until that final minute when a long ball into the square came to Kevin McGettigan whose shot looked to have crossed the line but it was blocked and play was stopped.
After three minutes of deliberation with his umpires, referee Kevin McGinley gave a penalty to Termon for a Gaoth Dobhair defender laying on top of the ball.
Ryan McFadden stepped up and levelled in the 8th minute of added time to bring the game to extra-time, 2-4 apiece.
Termon took an early lead in extra-time, with Stephen Black firing over and a McFadden free gave them the two point lead.
But Mac Phaidín kicked his third point of the game and Jamie Ó Dochartaigh fired over from distance to level on the half-time mark.
Termon again took the lead when Ryan McFadden fired over a sensational point from a free near the 45 line.
But Gaoth Dobhair got their third goal when Mac Phaidín’s point attempt dropped in to Eoin de Búrca who fisted the ball into the net.
Termon squeezed up and Gary McGettigan brought it back to a point with a minute remaining.
But Gaoth Dobhair kept possession and got up the pitch and Fiachra Coyle won a late free which was fired over by Cathal Mac Giolla Easpaig with seconds remaining as Gaoth Dobhair won their 7th Donegal Under-21 title in dramatic fashion by 3-7 to 2-8.
Gaoth Dobhair: Daithí Mac Roibeard , Sean Noel Mac Phaidín, Sean Ó Gallchóir, Aodhan Breathnach; Cian Mac an tSaoi , Dáire Ó Fearraigh, Cathal De Burca , Stiofan Mac Phaidin , Domhnaill Mac Giolla Bhríde, Cian Mac Giolla Bhríde , Fionnan Mac Giolla Chomhaill (1-1), Cathal Mac Giolla Easpaig (0-1f), Stiofan Mac Phaidín (1-3f), Eoin De Burca (1-1), Jamie Ó Dochartaigh (0-1).
Subs: Fiachra Coyle for Cian Mac Giolla Bhríde (42 mins), Adam Mac Íomhar for Stiofán Mac Phaidín (66 mins), Johnny Óg Ó Domhnaill for Mac Phaidín (81 mins), Pauric Mac an Gheimhridh for Mac Giolla Easpaig (83 mins)
Termon: Thomas Cannon, Conor Cassidy, Cormac Gallagher, Caolan Gallagher, Cian McMenamin , Kevin McGettigan , Evan Coleman , Jack Alcorn , Ryan McFadden (1-3f), Steve McDaid , Bobby McGettigan (1-0), Aaron Reid (0-1), Jamie Grant (0-1), Gerry McGettigan (0-1m), Mark Gallagher (0-1).
Subs: Stephen Black (0-1) for McDaid (37 mins), Conor Black for Reid (49 mins), Oisin Harkin for Mark Gallagher (56 mins)
Referee: Kevin McGinley (Naomh Columba).
