Naomh Mhuire win Corn Antoin O Dochartaigh

On a glorious summer evening in the banks, the 1st annual Antoin O Dochartaigh tournament took place. The teams competing were Naomh Mhuire, St. Michaels, Ardara and Gaothdobhair making sure the tournament would be competitive. And so it proved with a great evening football enjoyed. 

First up it was Naomh Mhuire against a strong St. Michaels team who finished 2nd in division 1 of the county northern section behind county champions St.Eunans. Naomh Mhuire started well and scored some lovely points from play and a cracking goal from John mc Garvey to lead at half-time by 1-07 to 1-02. St. Michaels fought well in the 2nd half and scored to goals to bring the game back to a couple of points. But Naomh Mhuire were able to keep the score-board ticking over with Michael Greene getting on alot of ball and using it sensibly. When Naomh Mhuire s Jack O Donnell shot hit the cross-bar the ref blew for full-time. Naomh Mhuire just got over the line on a score-line of Naomh Mhuire 2-10  St. Michaels 3-06 to qualify for the final.

The 2nd semi-final saw a strong Gaothdobhair team take on Ardara who have qualified for the southern section final. This was a close game throughout with little seperating the teams throughout. The teams were level at half-time 1-01 to 0-04 with Gaothdobhair getting a penalty befor half-time. They then started the 2nd half well and with 7 mins left led by 3 points. Ardara finished strongly and levelled the game with tipme nearly up. Gaothdobhair went up the field and got a point and in the final attack of the game Ardara were through on goal only to see the ball go wide when a point would have meant a draw. The final score was Gaothdobhair 1-05 Ardara 0-07. 

3rd/4th place play-off. This game was won by Ardara who showed an eye for goal and scored 4 2nd half goals to win on a score-line of Ardara 5-02 to St. Michales 1-07. The Ardara goalkeeper was very impressive in his 2 games with some great saves throughout.

The final saw Naomh Mhuire play Gaothdobhair and it could easily have been Ardara and St. Michaels giving the 1 point winning margin in the 2 semi-finals. Naomh Mhuire started in determined fashion and raced into an early lead with scores from Seimi Grant, John Mc Garvey, Tomas O Donnell, Eugene Byrnes and Aidan Gillespie. Naomh Mhuire were also defending well with good work from Declan Ward at full-back. Naomh Mhuire led at half-time by 0-07 to 0-02. Naomh Mhuire continued their form in the 2nd half and were fighting for every ball and were able to keep the scores coming up front. Good defensive work from mid-fielders Aidan Gillespie and Daniel Devlin kept Gaothdobhair at bay with Jamie mc gee winning some good ball as well. Micheal Casey scored a goal to leave the final score Naomh Mhuire 1-11 Gaothdobhair 1-03. 

Thanks to all teams who took part on the night and for travelling to the banks. Thanks to Robbie O Donnell for officiating. Tony Doherty was on hand to present the 1st annual trophy in his honour to Naomh Mhuire captain on the night Seimi Grant. 

Results

Semi-finals
Naomh Mhuire    2-10     St. Michaels    3-06
Gaothdobhair       1-05     Ardara           0-07

3rd/4th 
Ardara                5-02     St. Michaels    1-07

Final
Naomh Mhuire     1-11       Gaothdobhair    1-03

Naomh Mhuire team: Jordan Doogan, Oisin mc Dowell, Declan Ward, Donnachadh Casey, Cormac mc Devitt, Odhran Rodgers, Michael Greene, Daniel Devlin, Aidan Gillespie, Jamie mc Gee, Eugene Byrnes, Tomas o Donnell, Micheal Casey, Jack o Donnell, Seimi Grant, John mc Garvey.