Naomh Ultan: 1-11
Letterkenny Gaels 1-11
The Dunkineely men had to dig deep in the closing minutes of this game to score three points and earn a draw in this pulsating encounter.
It was the Letterkenny lads who started the brighter as Ciaran Cannon tore through the Naomh Ultan defence only to miscue his goal chance. The same player opened the scoring moments later after excellent approach work from Aaron Stewart.
Conor McBrearty hit two quick points before Cian Kennedy opened the Naomh Ultan account with a free on 5 minutes. McBrearty then pointed off the left foot for a quality score.
The visitors were on the attack again but a good turnover from the home team resulted in a goal for full forward Alan Lyons to level matters on 8 minutes. Lyons then pointed a 45 and McBrearty responded for the visitors.
Lyons and Dermot Galier gave the home team a two point advantage as the visitors became wasteful with a succession of wides. Aaron Stewart reduced the deficit in 26minutes before Cian Kennedy and Colm O Breslin exchanged points to leave the half time score N. Ultan 1-05 Gaels 0-7.
In the second period Gaels were the more energetic as Sean McDonagh opened his account on 35minutes. However they were wasteful with their shots as the home team defended in numbers.
Lyons pointed for the home team on 43minutes and Gaels full back Conor Browne made an excellent run to respond for the visitors. Cian Kennedy then pointed a free for Naomh Ultan before Gaels full forward McBrearty found the net. McDonagh added to the Gaels tally to put three points between them.
Kennedy and McBrearty exchanged scores on the 55th and 58th minutes and as the home team came in search of a result they hit three late points from Aaron Byrne 58, Dermot Galier 59 and the equaliser on 61minutes before Referee Seamus McGonagle blew the final whistle.
Both teams will now look forward to the championship and are in good shape on the evidence of this display.
Letterkenny Gaels: S Graham, S Crossan, C Browne(0.1), K Kilkenny, O McElhinney, D Hunter, C Lynch, B O Brien, C Cannon(0.1), C O Breslin(0.1),, L DohertyA Stewart, J McGlynn, C McBrearty1.5), S McDonagh(0.2). Subs. R Quinn for D Hunter N McGarrigle for K Kilkenny, C Skinnader for O McElhinney.
Naomh Ultan, D McGlynn M McGlynn D Shovlin Paul Gallier Joe Alvey, A Kyles, C Shovlin, S Blain, D Murrin, P Alvey, A Duddy, C Kennedy(0.4) D Gallier(0.3,) A Lyons(1.3), A Byrne(0.1). Sub: D Quigley
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