The county finals of the Óg
Sport Gael U15 seven-a-side competition was played in
Buncrana on Saturday with the home side winning a tense
final against Ballyshannon 1-5 to 0-5.
In the first game Buncrana drew with Kilcar 1-6 to 1-6.
In a hard fought game two great saves by Caolan
McGonagle ensured the point for Buncrana, but Caolan who
sustained a serious foot injury that kept him out of the
rest of the tournament.
In the next game Buncrana swept aside the challenge
presented by Downings in a great display of sevens
football to win, scoring five goals in the process. The
game was marred by a clash of heads between two very
committed Buncrana players Ryan Curran and Shane
McLaughlin; both required hospital treatment for facial
injuries so the remaining 7 players faced Ballyshannon
in the final with the odds stacked heavily against them.
In a very tactical first half Buncrana controlled the
tempo of the game with Cian Hirrell, Joseph McGrory,
Bruce Waldron and Darach O’Connor exceptional on the
ball. Two points by Darach O’Connor gave Buncrana a half
time lead of 0-2 points to 0-1. In the second half
Buncrana started strongly with Peter McLaughlin and
Matthew Barber in midfield controlling the game and when
Stephen Doherty hit the top corner there was no way back
for Aodh Ruadh.
This was a great display by a very talented side who now
go on to represent Donegal in Ulster. Buncrana captain
Darach O’Connor received the cup much to the delight of
the home crowd. The management team of Seán Clerkin,
Seán Noonan, Malachy McCann and Lawrence Hegarty could
now have asked for another ounce of effort from a great
set of players.
The team was Cian Hirrell, Caolan McGonagle, Stephen
Doherty, Peter McLaughlin, Bruce Waldron, Matthew
Barber, Ryan Curran, Joseph McGrory, Shane McLaughlin
and captain Darach O’Connor.
For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the
Inishowen Independent. |
