An Tearmann take Donegal Gaeltacht senior title with win over Ard an Ratha

An Tearmann took the Donegal senior Gaeltacht title for the second time in their history with victory over Ard an Ratha at a sun-drenched Pearse Park in Ardara.

The winners did their best work in the opening half and they turned over 2-12 to 0-3 in front. They were never in danger after that although Ard an Ratha did put in a spirited second half.

Ard an Ratha had the chance of a great start against the breeze but Sean Ross O Ludhog rattled the crossbar while CJ O Ludhog was wide from a free.

An Tearmann took advantage with points from Rian Mac Phaidin, two from Daire Mac Daibhid (2), Sean Seamas Mac Suibhne, Rian Mac Phaidin and Daire Mac Daibhid again for a six point lead after 11 minutes.

Oisin O hEarcain and Ricky O Gallchoir added two pointers while the Ard an Ratha wide count reached four by the 17th minute. Niall Mac an Chrosain finally got the home side on the board.

An Tearmann found the net with Ricky O Gallchoir finding Rian Mac Phaidin who found the corner of the net despite the efforts of Padraig O Gallchoir.

Niall Mac an Chrosain added a free for Ard a Ratha but it was to get worse for the home side as Daire Mac Daibhid got free to fire home a second goal.

Seamus Mac Sharrai and Mac an Chrosain exchanged points to leave  it at half-time: Ard an Ratha 0-3, An Tearmann 2-12.

Niall Mac an Chrosain hit two points, one from a free in the first 10 minutes of the second half as An Tearmann were happy to just defend their lead.

Niall Mac an Chrosain nailed a two pointer but then An Tearmann struck for a third goal, Rian Mac Phaidin finishing.

Ard an Ratha had a goal chance saved at the expense of a ‘45’ which Mac An Chrosain pointed and he was awarded two points. Kyle Mac Aoidh added one from play to take the Ard an Ratha tally to 0-10.

Rian Mac Phaidin added a point to the goal he scored minutes earlier while Mac an Chrosain and CJ O Ludhog put some respectability on the scoreboard for the home side. Kyle Mac Aoidh also had a late two pointer for the final score of the contest.

Ard an Ratha scorers: Niall Mac an Chrosain 0-10,5f,2tpf,’45’; Kyle Mac Aoidh 0-3,1tp, CJ O Ludhog 0-1 each.

An Tearmann scorers: Daire Mac Daibhid 1-3,1f; Rian Mac Phaidin 2-3; Oisin O hEarcain 0-3,1tp; Ricky O Gallchoir 0-2,tp; Sean Seamas Mac Suibhne, Seamus Mac Sharrai 0-1 each.

Ard an Rátha: Padraig Ó Gallachoir; Cathal Ó Beineid, Sean Ó Maonaigh, Sean Mac Congail; Danny Breathnach, Sean De Faoite, Darrach O hEanagain; Sean Ross Ó Ludhog, Josh Ó Maille; Seosamh Kitterick, Kyle Mac Aodha, Gabhan Mac Suibhne; Niall Mac an Chrosain, CJ Ó Ludhog, Pól Breathnach.

Subs: Oisin O Breisleain and Conor Mac Crosain

An Tearmann: Eiméid Mac Uidhir; Oisin Ó Cassaí, Cormac Ó Gallabhóir, Cormac Ó Brádaigh; Conchubar Ó Cassaí, Caoimháin Mac Eighteain, Ristéard Ó Gallabhóir; Aaron Reade, Oisín Ó hEarcain; Sean Seamus Mac Suibhne, Roibeard Mac Eighteain, Seamus MacSharraí; Dáire Mac Daibhid, Stiofán Mac Daibhe, Rian Mac Phaidin.

Subs: Padraig O Fagain for Reade (37); Ciaran O Casaide and Eimhin O Coleman for D Mac Daibhid and SS Mac Suibhne (both 45);  Eimeid Mac Eighteain for O Bradaigh (51); Cormac O Casaide for B Mac Eitghteain (54)

Reiteoir: Mairtin O Colla (Gaoth Dobhair)