St Eunan's goalkeeper Shaun Patton. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Donegal SFC Semi-Finals
St Eunan’s 0-8 Gaoth Dobhair 0-7
Dungloe 0-9 St Michael’s 0-8
By Chris McNulty
Dungloe are through to their first Donegal SFC final in 60 years and will face St Eunan’s in the October 13 decider.
Both sides had just one point to spare as they saw off St Michael’s and Gaoth Dobhair in their semi-finals over the weekend in Ballybofey.
St Eunan’s have won Dr Maguire 15 times and booked their place in a third final in four years when edging out Gaoth Dobhair on Saturday night.
For Dungloe, the story is a fairytale as their meteoric rise to the final comes only two years after Dessie Gallagher’s side were Intermediate champions.
Dungloe have appeared in 12 senior finals, but this will be the club’s first since losing the 1964 final to Sean MacCumhaills. The Rosses club have not won the Dr Maguire Cup since 1958, but they stand now just 60 minutes away from glory.
Dungloe led 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time with Daire Gallagher and Ryan Connors firing over late in the opening period.
Dungloe were purring at the outset of the second half with Connors, Dylan Sweeney and Barry Curran on the mark within six minutes of the changeover.
St Michael’s, who welcomed Donegal midfielder Michael Langan back from a holiday abroad for the game, hit back.
When Daniel McLaughlin slotted over to make it a one-point game five minutes into added time the nerves whistled around Ballybofey.
Soon, though, the final whistle sounded and Dungloe will now get ready for their biggest game since '64..
On Saturday night, beneath the lights at Sean MacCumhaill Park, Eoin Dowling’s late brace prised St Eunan’s, finally, away from the grip of Gaoth Dobhair.
Dowling arrowed over one from play and one from a free as the Letterkenny side held sway by the narrowest of margins.
Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton also came to St Eunan’s aid with a vital save from Cathal Gillespie. After the Gaoth Dobhair sub scampered away, a goal was on, but Patton was out well to thwart the advances.
Dáire Ó Baoill kept Gaoth Dobhair in it with a long-ranger, but St Eunan’s prevailed with Ó Baoill off-target from a 45m free in the dying seconds.
Conor O’Donnell Jnr converted three frees as St Eunan’s - who dethroned reigning champions Naomh Conaill in a testing quarter-final seven nights previously - led 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time.
They could never quite shake off the Gaeltacht men, but Dowling’s double edged them over the line.
