Letterkenny Gaels dominant in JHC final to take a first adult hurling title

Letterkenny Gaels took their first hurling title at senior level in dominant fashion in the Donegal Junior Hurling Championship final as they won by 22 points over Burt reserves in O’Donnell Park.

The Páirc na nGael men wasted no time in getting going and a Donal Farrelly goal on 13 minutes put them six ahead, with another goal from Brian Diver following.

Leading by 14 at the break, they continued to extend that lead with goalkeeper Joseph Patton firing in a penalty, while Matthew Winters, Farrelly and Diver continued to chip in with points as the Letterkenny side were well in control throughout.

Burt got the first score as the game started five minutes early as Conor McLaughlin pointed inside the first minute, but it wasn’t a sign of things to come as the Gaels dominated the first half.

Niall Diver pointed first and Diarmuid O Cathail followed it up, before a good run from Brian Diver saw him fire just over the crossbar.

Will Costello pointed next before the first goal as Donal Farrelly got possession and fired low into the net past Fioniann Gill.

O Cathail added another point soon after, before another goal chance as Niall Diver picked up a short O Cathail effort and fired past Gill, but Michael Gill was on the line to clear.

Matthew Winters got his first score of the match as the Gaels went eight ahead before they hit the net again after a good run and shot over the ‘keeper from Brian Diver.

Neil Ó Baoill fired over next as Burt replied through a McLaughlin ‘65, but Donal Farrelly hit a ‘65 of his own a minute later.

Farrelly added another point as he fired just over and Niall Diver hit the final point of the half to ease the Letterkenny men into a 2-10 to 0-2 lead.

And they would extend that in the second half, firstly as Matthew Winters was fouled and Ciaran O’Neill signalled for a penalty, with goalkeeper Joseph Patton firing low into the bottom left corner.

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Burt did battle and had a couple of chances they failed to take, although Sean Óg Harrigan and McLaughlin hit further points to double their tally for the game.

The Gaels however continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over, two points each from Winters and Brian Diver extending their lead, the second Winters point from a free.

Leo Kelly got a sole Burt score at the other end through the domination, Farrelly from distance and a good point from the left through Winters.

Gaels subs Shay Doherty and Jack Winters added scores, while Séan Clooney had an effort at goal saved by Gill as the winners tried to pile on the misery, but they were worthy winners in the end.

Burt scorers: Conor McLaughlin 0-3,1’65; Sean Óg Harrigan and Leo Kelly 0-1 each.

Letterkenny Gaels scorers: Donal Farrelly 1-3,0-1’65; Brian Diver 1-3; Matthew Winters  0-4,1f; Joseph Patton 1-0 pen; Diarmuid O Cathail and Niall Diver 0-2 each; Will Costello, Neil Ó Baoill, Shay Doherty and Jack Winters 0-1 each.

Burt: Fioniann Gill; Colm Toner, Leo Kelly, Michael Gill; Jack Coyle, Niall McGlynn, Paraic Curran; Sean Óg Harrigan, Andrew Walker; Craig Brogan, Ryan McDaid, Seamus O’Donnell; Fionn O’Riordan, Conor McLaughlin, Leo Doherty.

Subs: Gerard Boyle for Doherty (20), Kevin Glenn and Darius McColgan for Coyle and O’Donnell (ht), Ciarán Kelly for Toner (40), Daibhidh Grant for McDaid (52)

Letterkenny Gaels: Joseph Patton; Senan Nolan, Cathair Doherty, Ben Winters; William Costello, Niall O’Regan, Jamie Callaghan; Eunan Gallagher, Brian Diver; Matthew Callaghan, Diarmuid O Cathail, Donal Farrelly; Neil O’Baoill, Niall Diver, Matthew Winters.

Subs: Shay Doherty for Ó Baoill (47), Jack Winters for J Callaghan (50), Ruaidhrí Gallagher, Seosamh Kelly Kerrane and Séan Clooney for Nolan, N Diver and O Cathail (58)

Referee: Ciaran O’Neill (Setanta).