By Charlie Collins
Buncrana 1-15 v 0-05 Cloughaneely
The scoreline says it all as Buncrana proved much too strong for Cloughaneely in this Under 21B Championship semi-final at the Lifford GAA grounds, which were in excellent conditions despite the heavy overnight and morning rain.
The early stages were well contested and after twenty minutes Buncrana led by 0-03 to 0-02, Dylan Mulholland, Kevin Jordan and Oisín Crawford for Buncrana, Ciaran Coll and Conor Coyle replied, both from frees.
In the 23rd minute Kevin Jordan had a big goal chance but under pressure shot wide.Oisin Porter and Conor Graham added Buncrana points while Lorcan McGee replied, 0-05 to 0-03 in the 25th minute. Kevin Jordan had another great goal chance but Oran Craig denied him with a super save, deflecting the ball over the bar for a point.
Mulholland and Sean McLaughlin added two more Buncrana points to leave them five ahead, 0-08 to 0-03 at the break and that despite kicking as many wides as points.
Any hopes of a Cloughaneely comeback were quickly at the start of the second-half as Buncrana scored 1-01 inside a minute, Micheal Bernard McLaughlin hammering the ball to the net after his first effort had been blocked and Billy Duffy slotting over thirty seconds later, 1-09 to 0-03 and Buncrana in total control.
Ciaran Coll kicked a couple of points from frees in the second-half but Buncrana kept the scoreboard ticking over, both Sean McLaughlin and Kevin Jordan brought their match totals to four with some excellent scores to bring the Buncrana total up to 1-15 and a final spot next week against Dungloe, on this form they will be difficult to beat.
Buncrana: Adam Harrigan, Conor Graham (0-01), Sean Doherty, Caolan O’Neill, Liam Jordan (0-01), Oisin Crawford (0-01), Andrew Davidson, Darragh Corry, Michael Bernard McLaughlin (1-00), Oisin Porter (0-01), Sean McLaughlin (0-04), Aaron Cleary, Billy Duffy (0-01), Kevin Jorden (0-04), Dylan Mulholland (0-02). Subs used: Niall Breslin, David Carey, Finn McColgan, Jamie Friel.
Cloughaneely: Oran Craig, Seamus Duggan, Daire Ferry, Remy Moran, Daniel Mulhern, Conor Coyle (0-02), Caoimhin Ó Boyle, Stephen Curra, Ethan Friel, Cathal Mac Iver, Josh Scanlon, Lorcan McGee (0-01), Thomas O Reilly, Padraig Coyle, Ciaran Coll (0-02), Padraig Ó Doohan. Subs used: Caolan McFadden, Kevin Boyle.
Referee: Stephen Doherty (Red Hughs).
