Gaoth Dobhair had there noses in front at half time as they lead 0-6 to 0-4 with three pointed frees from James Gallagher and one each from Ronan MacNiallais, Fionan Diver and Cathal Mulligan, while the old reliable Anthony Kelly accounted for the Malin total, all from frees.

All in all the first half was pretty even with the sides level three times before Gaoth Dobhair pulled away thanks to two late Gallagher frees. Indeed but for Malin's old failing of not turning vital possession into scores, they could have been ahead at the break. Their defence was coping more than adequately with the threat of Gallagher, Mulligan, Diver, Joe Duffy, Colin Ferry and Padraig McGarvey.

Kelly got the home off to the start that the doctor order with two points inside two minutes and before the visitors found their bearings. And while Gallagher and MacNiallais cancelled out Kelly's early strikes by the eighth minute mark, the home team were ahead again one minute later. Kelly again doing the business.

Gallagher and Mulligan flashed over points to edge the men from the West into the lead 0-4 to 0-3 for the first time before kelly tied it up again at 0-4 each by the end of the first quarter. With defences in the ascendancy scores were at a premium in the second quarter with Fionan Diver on 24 minutes and Gallagher deep in injury time raising white flags.

While Malin, through Gary Farren, cut the margin to a point at the start of the second half it was all one way traffic in the second period as Gaoth Dobhair cut loose as Ronan MacNiallais, Cathal Mulligan, Colin Ferry, James Gallagher, Danny Curran and James Carroll all hit the target, with Mulligan who was in illuminating form scoring three points and Carroll a second half replacement for James Gallagher posting two.

Anthony Kelly from a free got Malin's second point of the half five minutes from the end.

Malin Team
Declan Lafferty; Kevin McColgan, Declan Walsh, Paddy McColgan, Charlie Byrne, Johnny McLaughlin, Daniel Greene, Paddy Kelly, Michael Doherty; Matthew Byrne, Anthony Kelly (0-05), (0-04) Michael Byrne, Gary Farren (0-01), Damian Harkin, Robert Porter. Subs: John McLaughlin and Conor Farren.

Gaoth Dobhair Team
Christopher Sweeney, Ciaran Ferry, Neil McGee, Danny Curran (0-01), Michael Curran, Kevin Cassidy, Eamonn McGee, Ronan McNiallais (0-2), Peter McGee, Cathal Mulligan (0-4), Joe Duffy, Fionnan Diver (0-01); Colin Ferry (0-01), James Gallagher (0-04), Padraig McGarvey. Subs: James Carroll (0-02) for J. Gallagher

Reserves: Malin 5-10 Gaoth Dobhair 0-09

Malin forced this tie to a third game in some style, defeating Gaoth Dobhair comprehensively, the five goals making all the difference. The sides were tied at four points apiece by the 15 minute mark, neither side getting the upper hand. Scores from Malin's Brendan McLaughlin, Gerard McLaughlin and William Logan(2 frees) being cancelled out by points from Shane Barr and the very lively Owen Ward who hit three including one free.

Ward put his side ahead with a second free before Gerard McLaughlin put Malin in front from the penalty spot in the 20th minute after Steven McLaughlin was fouled by Gaoth Dobhair corner back, Manus Weed. William Logan and Thomas Friel traded points before a good Malin move on 27 minutes found Simon Ward free in front of goal and he added goal number 2. Gerard McLaughlin and Owen Ward traded scores before the break leaving the half time score Malin 2-06 Gaoth Dobhair 0-07.

Any Gaoth Dobhair hopes of a comeback were dashed in the first 15 minutes of the second half, Malin hitting 3 goals without reply to effectively end the game as a contest. The first came from a second penalty, Steven McLaughlin again being fouled by the unfortunate Manus Weed and Gerard McLaughlin hitting the net once more. Goal number 4 followed shortly after, Liam Lafferty running from the halfway line before interchanging passes with Gerard McLaughlin and slotting home and the fifth came in the next attack, Martin Ward finding the net this time. Gaoth Dobhair added two further points while Malin hit three setting this tie up nicely for a play-off.

Malin Reserve Team
Ruari Kelly, Michael McLaughlin, Darren Doherty, Finbarr Collins, Gerard Greene, Neil McGilloway, Aiden Gallagher, Liam Lafferty(1-0), Brendan McLaughlin(0-1), Simon Ward(1-0), William Logan(0-4, 2 frees), Danny Lafferty, Steven McLaughlin, Gerard McLaughlin(2-02, 2 pens), Martin Ward(1-0), subs used Jason Doherty(0-1), Patrick McLaughlin(0-1), Seamus Doherty, Keiron McColgan, Christopher McLaughlin.

Gaoth Dobhair Reserve Team
James Sweeney, David McGee, Michael McKelvey, Manus Weed, Paul Ferry, Mark Roarty, Colman MacCumhaill, Thomas Friel(0-1), Michael McCafferty, Noel Kelly, Liam McBride, Paul Curran(0-1), Shane Barr(0-1), Owen Ward(0-5, 2 frees), John Ivors, sub used Michael Curran(0-1,free).

(Reports by Chris McNulty)