Griffen’s return is perfect timing for St.Naul’s

ST.NAULS 0-07 V 0-06 GLENFIN The last three months have been frustrating for Stephen Griffen as he tried to recover from a serious knee injury in time ti play his part in his club’s quest for Championship and League success. Griffen has been central to any progress St.Nauls have made in recent times and his manager John Mc Nulty must have been delighted when the former Donegal Senior team forward declared himself ready to go for this Quarter-Final fixture. In a low scoring match Griffen hit six of his team’s seven points, including two classics from frees in the first-half and a super winner from play two minutes from the end. This game was played in terrible conditions as heavy rain and a strong wind swept across Tirconaill Park and made things very difficult for players and indeed officials. St. Nauls suffered an early setback when they lost Peadar Mogan with a head injury in the ninth minute after a clash with one of his team-mates. Glenfin got the game’s opening score but trailed by a point at half-time as Stephen Griffen kicked two super scores from frees and one from play with Barry Griffen getting their other score from play of the half. Stephen Carr kicked two frees for Glenfin and Karl Mc Glynn got their only score from play to leave it 0-04 to 0-03 in Nauls favour at the break. Stephen Griffen and Glenfin sub Stephen Mc Dermott exchanged early point in the second-half and then another Griffen free put his team two in front at 0-06 to 0-4. Ciaran Brady pointed for Glenfin in the 42nd minute and when Daniel Mc Glynn scored the equaliser nine minutes later it was anyone’s game. But Stephen Griffen was not to be denied on his return and two minutes from time he showed quick hands and then quick feet to score from 30mts and clinch a semi-final spot for St.Nauls. GLENFIN: Andrew Walsh, Daithi Carr, John Harkin, Gary Herron, Daniel Mc Glynn ( 0-1. ), Frank Mc Glynn, Paddy O Conner, Stephen Ward, Michael Mc Glynn, Karl Mc Glynn ( 0-1 ), Jason Morrow, Gary Dorrian, Stephen Carr ( 0-2f ), Ciaran Brady ( 0-1), Eoin Donnellan. SUBS: Gerard Ward for Donnellan ( 25mins ), Stephen Mc Dermott ( 0-1 ),for Michael Mc Glynn ( h/t ), Conor Ward for O Conner (46mins ), ST.NAULS: Paddy Burke, Conor Mc Brearty, Brendan Mc Cole, Conor Gavigan,Stewart Johnston, Peadar Mogan, Martin Breslin, Lee Mc Brearty, Daniel Friel, John Rose, Aidan Meehan, Shane Conneelly, Edward Kane, Barry Griffen ( 0-1 ), Stephen Griffen ( 0-64f ), SUBS: Cathal Lowther for Mogan ( injured 10mins ),Barry Rose for Meehan ( 55mins ). REFEREE: Marc Browne