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Bundoran brutalise Carndonagh 28.05.09
Fifteen point gap doesn’t flatter visitors

Carndonagh...1-5
(Darren Burke 0-3; Cathal O’Kane 1-0; Dominic Doherty 0-1 and Gerard Doherty 0-1)

Bundoran...4-11
(Christy Keaveney 1-5; Tommy Hourihan 1-1; Michael McEniff 1-0; Declan Rafferty 1-0; Dessie McNamara 0-2; Gerard McCaughey 0-1; Niall Dunne 0-1 and Fergal McKernan 0-1)

by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent, in Carn

MOST WHO attended this Intermediate Football Championship First Round tie were expecting a tight encounter. An hour and a half later the home supporters left O’Doherty Park wondering just what had happened as Carndonagh were thoroughly dismantled by an impressive Bundoran side.
The omens weren’t good for the seniors as their reserve side was beaten earlier in the day by the men from south of the Gap, but this capitulation from Carndonagh was totally unexpected. In fact such was their domination Bundoran could count themselves unfortunate not to have won by more.
Along with their advantage in terms of size the away side were given far too much freedom through the middle by Carndonagh who suffered an off day. Bundoran racked up an impressive eight different scorers, and the fact that one of their players, Christy Keaveney, scored as much as the entire Carndonagh side combined tells you all you need to know about this game.
It took a while for the game to get going and Bundoran drew first blood with a free slotted over by the imposing Christy Keaveney. Keaveney was an impressive presence throughout and hit just wide moments later after a driving run. Carndonagh had their chances too with Darren Burke hitting wide from a free and Ryan Davenport sending in a ball that went straight down Kevin McManus’s throat. Carndonagh did draw level with Burke hitting over from a tight angle. Unfortunately for Carndonagh this would be their last score of the half as Bundoran ran riot with an unanswered 2-4 before the interval.
The onslaught started when a good flowing Bundoran move ended with Michael McEniff slamming to the net past Martin Mooney. The Carndonagh custodian had to pick the ball out of his net again within three minutes; Peter McGonigle rampaged through the Carndonagh defence and laid the ball off to Christy Keaveney who gave Mooney no chance from close range.
Carndonagh couldn’t deal with Bundoran at this point and conceded again when Dessie McNamara put over from play on the 20 metre line. Christy Keaveney went 10 better scoring from 30 metres. Bundoran were toying with the home side at this point and Tommy Hourihan sent over a great score from 40 metres. It could have been worse for Carn as Hourihan missed a free he earned and also shot wide before the break. Bundoran added one more score when Christy Keaveney hit over after being teed up by Hourihan.
Things couldn’t get much worse for Carndonagh in the second half and to their credit they were much better after the break. Darren Burke started the mini comeback with a good score from a tricky position after good play from Ryan Davenport and they grabbed another one when Dominic Doherty scored from distance. Carndonagh were piling forward and could count themselves unlucky not to increase their tally with Declan O’Donnell having a goalbound effort blocked and Burke hitting the post from a free.
Bundoran responded with Gerard McCaughey firing over after a good run through the Carn defence before Christy Keaveney with a free from 14 yards and Burke grabbed another for Carndonagh in between. Christy Keaveney then claimed another two points for the visitors and Niall Dunne claimed his first of the day after being teed up by Gerard McCaughey.
Bundoran effectively ended the game when Hourihan scored their third goal after being set up by McEniff. Bundoran continued the rout with an easy score from sub Fergal McKernan. Carndonagh gained consolation scores through Gerard Doherty whose point went in off the bar and a goal for Cathal O’Kane.
The Carndonagh faithful hoped that this would at least make the scoreline respectable but almost immediately Declan Rafferty banged in another goal to make the demolition job complete. On this evidence I know who my money is on for the second leg on July 5th.

Carndonagh: Martin Mooney, Michael Nelson, Michael McLaughlin, Aidan O’Callaghan, Rory Ward, Paddy Nelson, Ronan O’Connor, Gerard Doherty, Declan O’Donnell, Cathal O’Kane, Darren Burke, Ryan Davenport, Fergal Matthews, Dominic Doherty, Pádraig Doherty. Subs: Liam Doherty, Sean Doherty

Bundoran: Kevin McManus, Ryan Walsh, James Keaveney, Diarmaid McCaughey, Peter McGonigle, Shane McGowan, Richard Gillespie, Niall Dunne, Paul Delaney, Michael McEniff, Gerard McCaughey, Darragh Hoey, Tommy Hourihan, Christy Keaveney, Dessie McNamara. Subs, Ashley Mulhern, Rossa McKernan, Fergal McKernan, Declan Rafferty

For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent.
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