Donegal SFC Final: Naomh Conaill edge out Gaoth Dobhair

Donegal SFC Final

Naomh Conaill 2-18 Gaoth Dobhair 1-19

By Chris McNulty at O'Donnell Park

Naomh Conaill are champions for the eighth time after breaking Gaoth Dobhair down in Sunday’s final in Letterkenny.

Naomh Conaill were seven points down at half-time, but they staged a comeback with Shea Malone taking the tie to extra time with a stunning two-pointer three minutes into added time at the end. Malone, back with full concentration on Gaelic football following a spell at Sligo Rovers, found the range with a beautiful effort off the outside of his left foot.

James Connors, the referee, shrilled full-time with the sides deadlocked at 1-13 apiece.

When John O’Malley converted a mark in the opening minute of extra time, it was the first time that Martin Regan’s men were in the driving seat.

Teenager Max Campbell fired to the net with an excellent finish after taking a pass from Kieran Gallagher to firmly turn the tide in Naomh Conaill’s favour.

For good measure, Campbell added a point and Charles McGuinness fisted Naomh Conaill - whose comeback was spurred by a Kevin McGettigan goal in the 39th minute - into a 2-16 to 1-13 lead at half-time in extra-time.

A couple of two-pointers off the boot of Ethan Harkin narrowed the margins, but Man of the Match Finnbarr Roarty and captain John O’Malley landed points that were priceless. Harkin was given another go, but a free beyond the ’45 was out of range and a familiar blue sea toasted the end of a Donegal final.

It almost felt like a deception when looking back at the first half.

In the 16th minute Fionnan Coyle took receipt of a super pass inside by Domhnaill Mac Giolla Bhride, but was impeded by Anthony Thompson and Connors outstretched his arms for a penalty.

Daire Ó Baoill stepped up to tuck home the spot kick, sending goalkeeper Stephen McGrath the wrong way with a low effort confidently dispatched.

The goal put Gaoth Dobhair 1-5 to 0-4 in front and the west Donegal men had started brightly with Ethan Harkin (free) and Eamonn Collum landing early points before GAA Young Player of the Year nominee Roarty opened the Naomh Conaill account in the fourth minute after being teed up by O’Malley.

Twenty years ago, Naomh Conaill shocked St Eunan’s in a replay to win the Dr Maguire Cup for the first time. That victory shifted Donegal football’s plates and Naomh Conaill became a real force in the last two decades. This was their 13th final and they were chasing title number eight.

In 2005, Brendan McDyer scored an equaliser to force the replay against St Eunan’s and the 38-year-old - who has featured in every campaign since - curled over two points in the opening quarter of an hour here.

Stephen McFadden restored the Gaoth Dobhair advantage before Ó Baoill netted the penalty.

Roarty and former county player Odhran Mac Niallais swapped points.

Both sides were missing big name players with injury keeping Naomh Conaill’s Ciaran Thompson to a watching brief while the recently-emigrated Odhran McFadden-Ferry was absent from Gaoth Dobhair.

Stephen McFadden arrowed over his second of the game to put Gaoth Dobhair five ahead in the 25th minute.

Harkin swept over and Micheál Roarty soared in for another to give Gaoth Dobhair a handsome 1-10 to 0-6 lead at the interval.

Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill played out a three-game marathon in 2019, with Naomh Conaill prevailing in a low-scoring second replay 0-8 to 0-7 to end the Magheragallon side’s reign as Ulster champions. They also met in 2023, with Naomh Conaill more comfortable winners 1-16 to 1-8 on that occasion.

Just 30 seconds into the second half, with Naomh Conaill looking to narrow the deficit, Gaoth Dobhair goalkeeper Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride produced an outstanding save to beat away a stinging goal-bound drive by Charles McGuinness. Brilliantly, Mac Giolla Bhride leaped out to his left to make a telling stop.

Mac Giolla Bhride was beaten in the 44th minute, though, as McGettigan finished after the ‘keeper saved from Roarty following a sweeping move.

O’Malley, from a mark, and Kieran Gallagher were also on the scoresheet as Naomh Conaill began to test the Gaoth Dobhair nerves.

It was the 47th minute before Harkin - from a close-range free awarded for a 3v3 breach - added to Gaoth Dobhair’s tally from the first half.

Sub Niall Friel opened up a four-point lead, 1-12 to 1-8, 12 minutes from the end and Naomh Conaill’s Odhran Doherty blasted to the side netting with a chance to cut the gap to a point.

Odhrán Doherty made it a one-point game with a two-pointer in the 59th minute and, after Friel steadied the Gaoth Dobhair ship, Malone stepped up with a golden moment.

Gaoth Dobhair will rue spurned chances for Aodan Breathnach and Cathal Gillespie in the moments before Malone levelled.

Scorers for Naomh Conaill: Max Campbell 1-1; Kevin McGettigan 1-0; Finnbarr Roarty, Shea Malone (1 2pt), John O’Malley (2m), Brendan McDyer 0-3 each; Odhran Doherty (2pt) 0-2; Kieran Gallagher, Charles McGuinness, Leo McLoone 0-1 each.

Scorers for Gaoth Dobhair: Ethan Harkin (2 2pt, 2f, 1m) 0-8; Daire Ó Baoill 1-0pen; Micheál Roarty, Stephen McFadden, Eamonn Collum, Niall Friel 0-2 each; Fionnan Coyle, Odhran Mac Niallais, Jordi Gribben 0-1 each.

Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Ultan Doherty, AJ Gallagher, Max Campbell; Kevin McGettigan, Anthony Thompson, Finnbarr Roarty; Kieran Gallagher, Ethan O’Donnell; Brendan McDyer, John O’Malley, Odhran Doherty; Shea Malone, Charles McGuinness, Keelan McGill.

Subs: Eoghan McGettigan for O’Malley (38), Mark McDevitt for Thompson (40), Leo McLoone for McGuinness (45), Dermot Molloy for McDyer (55), John O’Malley for Molloy (70), Charles McGuinness for O.Doherty (70), Jason Campbell for Gallagher (83), Odhran Doherty for McGill (86), Seamus Corcoran for Malone (90).

Gaoth Dobhair: Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride; Neasan Mac Giolla Bhride, Gary McFadden, Eamonn Mac Giolla Bhride; Fiachra Coyle, Domhnaill Mac Giolla Bhride, Ethan Harkin; Stephen McFadden, Adam Mac Iomhair; Fionnan Coyle, Daire Ó Baoill, Micheál Roarty; Eoin De Burca, Odhran Mac Niallais, Eamonn Collum.

Subs: Niall Friel for Fionnan Coyle (42), Cathal Gillespie for De Burca (48), Aodan Breathnach for Mac Iomhair (55), Neil McGee for E Mac Giolla Bhride (55), Seaghan Ferry for McFadden (59), Cathal Gallagher for Fiachra Coyle (70), Fionnan Coyle for Gillespie (70), Jordi Gribben for Fionnan Coyle (79), Peter McGee for Ferry (half-time, extra-time).

Referee: James Connor (St Eunan’s).