Milford Inn Hotel Division One

Eany Celtic 6 

Ballybofey United 0

On a beautiful afternoon for football and in front of a large home support, Eany Celtic won the Milford Inn Division One Title, the clubs first at senior level.

The home side started nervously and Ballybofey were best in the first few minutes, but a fine through ball found Paul McGroarty in space and the Eany striker used all his experience and safely dispatched the ball to the net.

Ballybofey came back and Shane Bartley went close on 12 minutes. At the end of the first quarter a Martin Callaghan corner found Doherty in the box and he hit the post with a fine header. Seamie Cannon the division’s top scorer went close and shot just over the bar. Cannon didn’t have to wait long before a fine through pass from Stuart Johnston found him and he scored Eany’s second.

Ballybofey found the Eany keeper in fine form and on 30 minutes Bartley brought a great save from the keeper. James Doherty then missed a great chance on 40 minutes, but Eany striker Cannon, who was having a good match, got Eanys’ third on the stroke of half time when Paul McGroarty found him with a fine pass.

The second half started with Ballybofey still coming at Eany. On the hour, Eany went close to their fourth when Conor McBrearty, who had replaced Liam McGroarty, gave a beautiful pass to Cannon which split the Ballybofey defence. Eany were coming in waves and playing beautiful football. Paul Burke, who put in a tremendous afternoon’s work in the heart of the Eany midfield’ went close on 65 minutes.

Mark Doherty had a chance for Ballybofey on 70 minutes but, from the clearance by Eany keeper Colm Kelly, Paul McGroarty got his second and Eany’s fourth. Gavin Maguire replaced Paul Burke in the Eany midfield. Eddie Gallagher made a great run into the box on 80 minutes but unselfishly passed to Cannon for his hatrick. This was Eddies’ last action as he was replaced by Shane McHugh .Gavin Maguire got the sixth goal on 85 minutes to make it a fine result for the south Donegal side. Following the final whistle, Declan Sherlock presented the Milford Inn Cup to Mark Ward the Eany Celtic captain.

Congratulations to Eany Celtic on their achievement. Their managers Denis Gorman and Malachy Byrne thanked all the players for their commitment and hard work throughout the year.