Gaoth Dobhair put an end to Malin's unbeaten Division 1 run

Malin were beaten for the first time in Division 1 of the All-County Football League when an Eoin de Burca goal proved vital for Gaoth Dobhair.

The win puts Ronan Mac Niallais’ side into third position, one ahead of their hosts at Connollot Park on Saturday.

Gaoth Dobhair picked up the points after a good opening half saw them five points up at the break. Malin started well enough and Conor O'Neill opened the scoring when he cut in from the left and fired over with the right.

Gaoth Dobhair responded with Niall Friel running through the middle and shooting over. The lively Ethan Harkin then put the Gaeltacht men in the lead with a great effort from out on the left touchline.

Terence Doherty then had a goal chance with the extra solo meaning the angle beat him as he shot wide after a great ball in from Josh Conlan. Harkin again hit another impressive score as the visitors did well to recycle the ball out from the corner.

They then got a goal after pouncing on a turnover on their own 45' and after a quick transition up the field, Stephen McFadden fed the incoming Eoin deBurca to shoot low from the 13' under the advancing Mullarkey.

Sean O'Neill got Malin going again after his brother Conor did well to win back possession to get their second point, though it was a poor return from a disappointing half. Harkin tapped over a free from the 20 after Michéal Roarty's bustling run was halted and that left the half time score Malin 0-2 Gaoth Dobhair 1-4.

Malin manager Michael Byrne made a double change at halftime and it livened up the team with the home side getting five of the opening six points.

They opened the scoring in the second half with a good ball from Conor O'Neill being finished well on the left by Darragh Douglas.

Terence Doherty reduced the lead to a goal after running the by-line and fisting over. Gaoth Dobhair responded with a move up the left and Danny Curran slotted over.

Christopher McLaughlin put over a free from long distance after Conlan was dumped on the 45'. Sean O'Neill freed after Conor was fouled with the referee playing a good advantage and when Terence Doherty put the minimum between them heading into the last 10, it looked like Malin had the momentum to push on.
Gaoth Dobhair kept ahead with quick counter-attacking responses to Malin's scores, Ethan Harkin stretched the lead out again with one such quick counter.

Brendan McLaughlin, making his first appearance of the season, robbed a defender and shot over from the ground but again came a Seaghán Ferry reply. McLaughlin won a a free at the other end and cousin Christopher scored it again to leave the minimum between them but no equaliser would come.

Gaoth Dobhair had a chance to wrap it up comfortably in injury time when an overload was fluffed with the ball handpassed into the net when it looked like a sure second goal was coming. A frantic Malin, in their efforts to get up the field as quickly as possible, fluffed themselves at the restart and Fionnán MacGiolla Chomhaill made sure of the two points.

Malin scorers: Terence Doherty 0-2, 2f; Christopher McLaughlin 0-2, 2f; Sean O'Neill 0-2, 1f; Conor O'Neill, Darragh Douglas and Brendan McLaughlin 0-1 each.
Gaoth Dobhair scorers: Ethan Harkin 0-4 1f; Eoin de Burca 1-0; Niall Friel, Danny Curran, Seaghán Ó'Fearraigh, Fionnán MacGiolla Chomhaill 0-1.

Malin: Daniel Mullarkey, Mac McLaughlin, Ciaran Doherty, Michael Walsh, Sean Byrne, Conor Farren, Paul McLaughlin, John Gerard McLaughlin, Christopher McLaughlin, Darragh Douglas, Sean O'Neill, Conor O'Neill, Terence Doherty Josh Conlan, Sean O'Neill and Adam McGonagle. Subs used: Conor McGeoghegan for Michael Walsh (h/t), Brendan McLaughlin for Adam McGonagle (h/t), Seamus Houghton for Paul McLaughlin (47 mins), Finn Ward for Conor Farren (50)
Gaoth Dobhair: Dáithí MacRobèard, Èamon MacGiolla Bhríde, Gary Mac Pháidín, Fearghal Ó'Dubhshláine, Séan Ó'Gallchóir, Niall Ó'Frighil, Ciaran MacGiolla Easbuig, Donal Ó'Curráin, Míchéal Ó'Rabhartaigh, Cathal deBurca, Stíofan Mac Pháidin, Sean Ó’Dochartaigh, Ethan Ó'hEarcain, Eoin deBurca, Cathal MacGiolla Easpuig. Subs: Seaghán Ó'Fearraigh for Sean Ó’Dochartaigh, Fionnán MacGiolla Chomhaill for Cathal MacGiolla Easpuig, Aodán Breathnach for Séan Ó'Gallchóir, Cian Mac an tSaoir