Malin 2-11 Four Masters 1-12
Malin gained another two vital points in Connolly Park on Sunday to keep their good start to the season going. Both teams were not at full strength with Four Masters without their county men and Malin missing Declan Walsh and a number of players who were involved in the Inishowen Oscar Traynor soccer squad. Despite this both teams produced an entertaining affair, Malin started the better with an Anthony Kelly free after Paul McLaughlin had been fouled. Paul McLaughlin got a goal shortly after when he received a pass from Kieran McColgan who had gone on a great run, but despite being surrounded by up to three Four Masters defenders, managed to get his pass away to McLaughlin, who made no mistake from five yards out. Four Masters came right back into the game and dominated the next ten minutes. Conor McDaid with a monster free from all of 50 yards got the Donegal town men off the mark. Conor Ryan added another from play before two more Mc Daid frees levelled the game. The visitors edged ahead when Stephen Keeney scored a looped shot from the thirteen which just crept over the bar. Conor Ryan got his second of the game in a good move worked across the pitch. Malin came back into the game with another Kelly free. Conor McMonagle scored a long range point for Four Masters and likewise Seamus Houghton scored from range for the Malin men. Malin then survived a scare when full back Damien Harkin blocked brilliantly on the line to deny Four Masters a goal. This proved important as Malin finished the half stronger with three unanswered points. Paul McLaughlin scored after a worked free from Anthony Kelly and Mc Laughlin added another shortly after. Anthony Kelly scored from a long range effort from play to leave the halftime score Malin 1-06 Four Masters 0-07.
Malin opened the scoring in the second half with a handpass over the bar from McLaughlin after good work from Gerard Green and Finbar Collins. Mc Laughlin was in good scoring form now and he reacted quickest after a goal mouth scrabble to work the ball back and get a point when the chance seemed over. Michael Doherty scored for Donegal despite falling as he shot to respond. A great Malin move saw Seamus Houghton deliver the ball to Full forward Jason Doherty who laid off for the incoming Conor Farren who slotted over to edge Malin four ahead again. Donegal Town were back in it again after a superbly struck penalty from Raymond McRuairi gave Lafferty no chance. The reprieve was short lived as Malin responded with a goal of their own. A hop ball on the Four Masters 21’ broke loose and a deft flick from Niall McLaughlin sent Jason Doherty clear and he finished low past Martin for another Malin goal. Four masters scored from McRuairi again, a high left footed effort over the bar and when Michael Doherty added another free to set up a tense final ten minutes. Michael Doherty had a great goal chance after this but Lafferty managed to stop his effort and the ball went clear. Anthony Kelly scored from a free to stretch the lead to two but it was short lived as Doherty responded with a free of his own. Malin managed to seal the win with a monster free from Kelly from all of 50 yards from out on the left and the team managed to keep possession until the final whistle to cap another good win for Terence Coulhoun’s men.
Malin Team and Scorers: Declan Lafferty, John Colm Doherty, Damien Harkin, Michael McLaughlin, Daniel Green, John McLaughlin, Finbar Collins, Seamus Houghton (0-01), Anthony Kelly (0-04), Gerard Green, Kieran McColgan, Conor Farren (0-01), Paul McLaughlin (1-05) Jason Doherty (1-00) Charles Byrne. Subs Used: Niall McLaughlin and Seamus Doherty
Four Masters Team and Scorers: John Martin, Seamus Rea, Barry Ferry, Ryan O’ Donnell, Darragh Walsh, Barry Dunnion, Joseph Lacey, Barry Monaghan, Conor Ryan (0-02), Raymond McRuairi (1-01), Shane Carr, Conor McDaid (0-03), Conor McMonagle (0-01), Stephen Keeney (0-01), Michael Doherty (0-03): Subs used John Boyle and Daniel McGarrigle
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