Gaels fade against Scarvey strength

All county league, Division 1B Buncrana 1-18 Fanad Gaels 0-11 Despite a shaky start, Buncrana eased past Fanad Gaels in a one-sided contest at Scarvey on Sunday afternoon. The local side went into the game as hot favourites but allowed the visitors to take control of the game in the early stages. However, Buncrana, with Paul McGonigle highly influential in midfield throughout, soon grabbed the match by the scruff of the neck and a dominant second half performance put the game beyond the reach of the men from west Donegal. Fanad put the first score on the board through a point from Alan Friel in the first minute. Christy McDermott equalised for Buncrana, who had keeper Noel O’Donnell to thank for pulling off a fantastic save from a Brendan Callaghan shot just three minutes in. Had Fanad scored a goal at that stage the outcome of the match could have been much different. In the early stages, the Buncrana defence had difficulty coping with the movement and power of Fanad full-forward, Seamie Friel, and he scored and set up a number of points. The sides traded points for most of the first half, with Seamie Friel and McGonigle knocking over several impressive frees for their respective sides. With the first half nearing an end, and the game tied at 0-7 each, Buncrana had a decisive breakthrough. Gavin McConnell collected the ball wide on the right and sent a high ball into the Fanad box. Several players went to collect but Christy McDermott managed to get there first and fist the ball into the net. The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Fanad and they emerged for the second half a very different side. Buncrana scored five unanswered points, including impressive solo efforts from Ronan Doherty and Adrian Doherty, to race into a lead they were never to lose. Fanad hung in bravely and Alan and Seamie Friel scored three points between to keep their side’s slim hope of survival alive. However, Buncrana kept taking the chances their way. Paul McGonigle and Nigel Buchanan were having a field day in midfield and both found time to score points themselves as well as instigating most of the Buncrana attacks. Another excellent point from Ronan Doherty and a brace from Daire Irwin were the highlights of the second half. Fanad started the game the better of the two sides and also had the last say, a point from Seamie Friel just reward for his efforts all afternoon. Man of the match: Paul McGonigle (Buncrana) Caught a number of excellent high balls in midfield to inspire his team and also broke a lot of ball to prevent Fanad getting into the game. Buncrana - Noel O’Donnell, Michael Mclaughlin, William McLaughlin, Oisin Doherty, Ronan Doherty, Simon McCrory, Adrian McColgan, Paul McGonigle, Nigel Buchanan, Ryan Bradley, Odhran Doherty, Daire Irwin, Aidran Doherty, Gavin McConnell, Christy McDermott. Subs - Stephen McGonigle, Phillip Scott, Liam McGinley, Ronan Doherty, Richard McElroy. Fanad - Oisin Blaney, Cathal Martin, Patrick Sheils, Colm McElwaine, Patrick Hearty, Shane McAteer, Martin Robinson, William McAteer, Brendan Callaghan, Michael Sweeney, Ciaran McElwaine, Hughie Friel, Mark Friel, Seamie Friel, Adrian McAteer. Subs - Sean McElwaine, Ephrian McFadden, Francis Sweeney, Michael McGroarty.