Revenge was sweet for Naomh Conaill as they won another Donegal Senior Football Championship as they beat the 14-men of St. Eunan’s by a point in Mac Cumhaill Park.
Naomh Conaill 1-9 St. Eunan’s 2-5
After last years 1-11 to 0-4 loss to today’s opponents, not many people gave them a chance today.
But they showed up and took their chances, only putting the ball wide once, in injury time of the second half.
St. Eunan’s took a two point lead in at half-time thanks to an Eoin McGeehin goal and a couple of points from Niall O’Donnell, but the talking point of the first half came when referee Mark Dorrian sent off Shane O’Donnell just on the stroke of half-time.
St. Eunans’ Ciaran Moore tries to slow the progress of Naomh Conaill’s Odhran Doherty during Saturday’s senior final. Photo Evan Logan
Naomh Conaill took the man advantage well in the second half, with Charlie McGuinness scoring a great goal, while man of the match Ciaran Thompson scored four points in the second half to keep them in the lead.
Kevin Kealy levelled when he found the back of the net but Thompson’s two final scores of the game were brilliant and worthy of winning a game, while Conor Morrison’s late point had the pressure on Martin Regan’s side.
Naomh Conaill manager Martin Regan with Barry Dunnions watches on at the warm up of Saturday’s senior final. Photo Evan Logan
But they held on valiantly and came out on top for their third Dr. Maguire Cup in four years.
Despite playing against a severe wind that got worse as the half progressed, Naomh Conaill took their chances early and defended well to prevent Eunan’s having any chances to score in the first 10 minutes.
Jeaic Mac Ceallbhui kicked a terrific point after just 40 seconds to set the tone, and Brendan McDyer fired over a brilliant score with an outside of the boot attempt.
Naomh Conaill’s Anthony Thompson gets his pass away during Saturday’s senior final. Photo Evan Logan
It was 13 minutes before Eunan’s got on the scoreboard but it was to give them the lead thanks to Eoin McGeehin.
Conor O’Donnell Sr did well to win the ball back and start the move, while Shane O’Donnell surged forward before finding McGeehin.
The forward feinted around McGrath and fired into the net to give the Black and Amber the lead.
Niall O’Donnell then fired over a great point with an assist by the wind carrying it well over the bar.
St. Eunans’ Ciaran Moore sets up a first half attack during Saturday’s senior final. Photo Evan Logan
But McGuinness scored a tough free against the elements while McDyer converted another super score to level things up on 27 minutes.
Niall O’Donnell scored an easy free in added time that was brought forward, while Aaron Deeney scored after patient play from the Letterkenny men.
But the most dramatic moment came after Deeney’s point, as Sean McGettigan went down and a scuffle ensued, with referee Mark Dorrian giving a yellow card to Ciaran Thompson and a red card to Shane O’Donnell for their involvements, much to the bemusement of the St. Eunan’s players.
Referee Mark Dorrian has a word with St. Eunan’s manager Rory Kavanagh during Saturday’s senior final. Photo Evan Logan
It was 1-3 to 0-4 in St. Eunans’s favour at half-time but they had a battle on their hands against the wind and a man down.
And they were up against it quickly in the second half as the game came to life 10 minutes in.
A Thompson free was the only score of the opening 10 in the second half before Glenties got their goal.
Naomh Conaill’s Ethan O’Donnell looks for a way past St. Eunans’ Padraig McGettigan during Saturday’s senior final. Photo Evan Logan
A long ball in by Odhran Doherty was clutched by a free Charlie McGuinness who quickly turned and fired into the bottom corner, 1-5 to 1-3.
Sean McVeigh pointed for Eunan’s but another superb Brendan McDyer point and a Ciaran Thompson free extended it out to a three point lead.
But Eunan’s levelled the game when a Niall O’Donnell ball into the square came to Kevin Kealy and he quickly turned and fired into the goal with 10 minutes to go.
St. Eunans’ Niall O’Donnell looks for options as Naomh Conaill’s Odhran Doherty closes in during Saturday’s senior final. Photo Evan Logan
However it was Ciaran Thompson who fired over two superb scores, one from a free, as Glenties looked to see out the game.
Conor Morrison pointed but Naomh Conaill saw it out brilliantly to get back their crown they lost to St. Eunan’s last year, winning by 1-9 to 2-5.
Naomh Conaill celebrate after Saturday’s senior final. Photo Evan Logan
Naomh Conaill captain Kevin McGettigan celebrates with the Dr Maguire after Saturday’s senior final. Photo Evan Logan
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Kevin McGettigan, AJ Gallagher, Jason Campbell, Ethan O’Donnell, Anthony Thompson, Eoin Waide; Ciaran Thompson (0-4,3f), Jeaic MacCeallbhui (0-1); Brendan McDyer (0-3), Odhran Doherty, Eunan Doherty, John O’Malley, Charles McGuinness (1-1f), Keelan McGill.
Subs: Leo McLoone for John O’Malley (58 mins), Marty Boyle and Dermot Molloy for Odhran Doherty and McDyer (61 mins)
Naomh Conaill team before Saturday’s senior final. Photo Evan Logan
St. Eunan’s: Shaun Patton, Conor Parke, Caolan Ward, Aaron Deeney (0-1), Peter Devine, Conor O’Donnell Sr, Daragh Mulgrew; Sean McGettigan, Kevin Kealy (1-0); Ciaran Moore, Shane O’Donnell, Sean McVeigh (0-1), Padraig McGettigan, Niall O’Donnell (0-2,1f), Eoin McGeehin (1-0).
Subs: Kieran Tobin for Conor Parke (half-time), Conor O’Donnell Jr for Pádraig McGettigan (41 mins), Conor Morrison (0-1) for Devine (43 mins), Eoin Dowling for Conor McGettigan (53 mins).
St. Eunan’s team before Saturday’s senior final. Photo Evan Logan
