St Michael’s led by seven points at halftime buyit took a Michael Langan free in the last two to beat Dungloe.
St Michaels …0-9 Dungloe 0-8
By Charlie Collins at The Bridge, Dunfanaghy
Both these teams had won their opening two games, so there was much at stake in clash at The Bridge in Dunfanaghy.
The four points already won were probably enough to guarantee top twelve finish but victory in this one would put the winners within touching distance of a top four finish and an automatic quarter-final spot.
Conditions were very difficult for the players but underfoot and overhead with a strong wind blowing towards the town end and very slippery playing surface.
St. Michael’s had the elements in the first-half and not surprisingly dominated possession but the conditions meant scoring was very difficult.
Michael Langan kicked two frees and missed one in the opening ten minutes.
Conor Greene opened Dungloe’s account in the 12th minute with a point from what was a goal chance but three quick points from Colin McFadden , Carlos O Reilly and Jamie Hunter had the home team 0-05 to -01 ahead.
Two more Langan frees increased the home lead to six points but one had the feeling that a bigger lead would be required at half-time but kicking seven wides didn’t help that cause.
Carlos O Reilly added his second point and St.Michael’s eighth as they led by 0-08 to 0-01 at the break, but would it be enough?
The home team had plenty possession in the early stages of the second-half and it took Dungloe until the 37th minute to open their account with the elements at their backs, Danny Rodgers from a free and Ryan Conners from play left just five points in it, 0-08 to 0-03.
Two more quick Rodgers frees left just three in and Dungloe very much back in this game only , 0-08 to 0-05.
As the home team kept losing possession Dungloe kept driving forward and two excellent Dylan Sweeney points left just one between the teams and the home team scoreless in the second-half .
With four minutes left they were level, Conor Greene with his second point, 0-8 apiece.
St.Michael’s finally scored when Michael Langan converted a super long range free into the wind but would that win it?
Dungloe piled on the pressure but they ran out of time and St.Michael’s had held on to win it and make it three from three and closer to a quarter-final spot .
St. Michael’s: Mark Anthony McGinley , Jamie Hunter (0-01), Liam Paul Ferry, Paddy McGinley , Oisin Langan, Ciaran Kelly, Stephen Doak , Kyle McGarvey, Colin McFadden (0-01), Andrew Kelly , Martin McElhinney, Michael Cannon , Edward O’Reilly, Micheal Langan ( 0-05), Carlos O’Reilly ( 0-02).
Subs: Daniel McLaughlin for Edward O Reilly (43mins),
Dungloe: Danny Rodgers (0-03 , Jason McBride, Aaron Ward, Mark Curran , Barry Curran, Conor O’Donnell, Karl Magee , Darren Curran, Ryan Connors (0-01), Dylan Sweeney (0-02), Daire Gallagher, Matthew Ward , Odhran Gallagher, Conor Greene (0-02) , Oisin Bonner. Subs; Aaron Neilly for Odhran Gallagher , (44mins), Shaun McGee for Bonner (53mins)
Referee; Martin Coll ( Gaoth Dobhair).
