The Intermediate Championship got under way when Glenswilly and Fanad played a fast, hard hitting game before a large crowd at Glenswilly on Sunday last.
Glenswilly went into this game as underdogs due to the fact that 7 first team players were absent due to injury. With a good league performance behind them Fanad went into this game in a confidant mood.
Daniel Gallagher opened the scoring on the 1st minute with a point and Seimi Friel equalised on the 7th minute from a free. Gerard McGrenra and Shane McAteer then exchanged points in the 9th and 11th minutes.
There was some good movement from both teams and Micky McDaid and Eamonn Sweeney had a real battle in the middle of the field.
Barry Canning got another point for Glenswilly on the 13th minute before Fanad took the lead for the first time with two good points from play from Eamonn Sweeney and Shane McAteer on the 14th and 15th minutes. Glenswilly responded with a free from Daniel Gallagher. Gerard McGrenra and Seimi Friel then exchanged frees on the 17th, 20th, 28th, 30th minutes to leave the teams all square at interval 0-6 to 0-6.
The second half saw both teams unchanged, with Eamnon Sweeney getting the first point on the 32nd minute. They then went two up with a free from Seimi Friel before Glenswilly got their first point of the half through Daniel Gallagher on the 37th minute.
Fanad got a further three points through Eamonn Sweeney, Francis Sweeney and Ciaran McElwaine before Gerard McGrenra pulled one back for Glenswilly.
From then on it was all Fanad with Shane McAteer getting a good point from play and another free from Seimi Friel opened the gap to 5 points, and a penalty from Seimi Friel on the 56th minute finished of the Glenswilly attack. A further point from Mark Friel rounded of a strong second half performance from Fanad.
Looking back Glenswilly will be disappointed not to half got closer to this well balanced Fanad team but will fancy their chances in the second leg.
Best for Fanad were: Paddy Callaghan, Eamonn Sweeney and Ciaran McElwaine.
Best for Glenswilly were: Shaun Bonner. Gerard McGrenra and Martin McGinley.
Glenswilly :
Micky O McDaid, Shaun Bonner, Neil Gallagher, Padder Toner, Barry Canning(0-1), Paddy Devine, Martin McGinley, Gerard McGrenra(0-4), Micky McDaid, Michael E McDaid, Charlie McGrenra, Shaun Burke, Colin Kelly, Charlie Bonner, Daniel Gallagher(0-3). Joe Devine for Charlie McGrenra. Johnny McGinley for Shaun Bruke. P.O McDevitte for Peadar Toner.
Fanad :Patrick Carr, James Martin, Paddy Callaghan, Martin McAteer, Paddy Sheils, Patrick McConighley, Francis Sweeney(0-1), Eamonn Sweeney(0-3), Shane McAteer(0-2), Aidan McAteer, William McAteer, Paddy McGranaghan, Eamonn McGranaghan, Seimi Friel(1-6), Mark Friel(0-1). Ciaran McElwaine(0-1) for Paddy McGrenaghan.
Other Results
Bundoran 0-8 v 0-12 Malin. Milford 0-9 v 1-10 Moville. Buncrana 2-9 v 2-6 Naomh Brid. Naomh Mhuire 0-13 v 0-9 Downings. Carndonagh 0-6 v 0-8 Naomh Ultan. Red Hughs v St. Michaels off
Intermediate Championship Round 1 Leg2.
Fanad Gaels 2-14 Glenswilly 3-6
Fanad Gaels advanced to the quarter-final of the Intermediate Cahampionship with a comfortable margin against Glenswilly on Sunday
The home side dominated the opening half and although they had a comfortable margin of 2-8 to 1-2 at the break, their dominance would not have been flattered by a bigger margin.
They squandered many chances in the opening ten minutes and had only four points to show for a lot of possession. Those scores came from Paddy McGrenaghan, Eamon Sweeney, Adian McAteer and Eamon McGrenaghan in the opening nine minutes.
There was no further score until Glenswilly got on the scoreboard in the 18th minute, Pio McDevitt scoring from a penalty.
Fanad responded well from this setback with Michael McGroarty finding the net a minute latter after a great pass from William McAteer.
Eamon McGrenaghan added a point in the 20th minute and the home side should have had a second goal two minutes latter iwth Ciaran McElwaine clean through, but he shot wide of target.
William McAteer extended Fanad lead with there only two points of the hour from frees, while J.McGeehin pointed for Glenswilly.
Ciaran McElwaine made up for his earlier miss in the 26th minute, crashing to the Glenswilly net after a great run. The impressive Paddy McGrenaghan added a point before Gerard McGrenra had the final point of the half, a free for Glenswilly.
half-time Fanad Gaels 2-8 Glenswilly 1-2
The visitors came more into the game in the second half as the home side's rhythm was upset with the loss of Frank Sweeney through injury and William McAteer with a hamstring injury which could rule him out for some time.
Glenswilly opened the second half scoring with a McGrenra free, but by the 46th minute the Gaels added futher points from Aidan McAteer and two from Paddy McGrenaghan. Gerard McGrenra had a point from play for Glenswilly this was cancelled by Mark Friel.
Then came a two-goal blitz by Glenswilly in as many minutes. Charlie McGrenra goaled in the 52th minute and a minuten latter Pio McDevitt reduced the margin to five points with his second penalty - 2-12 to 3-4.
That, however was as close as they were to get with corner back Shane McAteer pointed after being pushed forward in the Fanad rearrangement and Adian McAteer also finding the range. Glenswilly finished well with points from Daniel Gallagher and Charlie McGrenra.
Best for Fanad were Paddy McGrenaghan, Patrick McConigley, William McAteer and Ciaran McElwaine and for Glenswilly, full back Barry Canning, Daniel Gallgher and Colin Kelly.
Fanad Gaels now play Glenfinn in a mouth-watering quater-final.