Naomh Padraig, Muff 0-12 v 0-08 Naomh Comhghall (Antrim)
By Charlie Collins at O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny
This 2024 AIB Ulster Club Junior Football Championship Quarter-Final at O Donnell Park in Letterkenny brought together Donegal champions Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin against the Antrim champions Naomh Comhghall.
Naomh Padraig were without full forward Kevin Lynch, a big loss for such an important game.
Naomh Padraig manager Daniel McCauley during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
The opening ten minutes produced just two points, Johnny Toye for Muff and Ryan Clarke for Naomh Comhghall. Toye and Dylan Murdock then exchanged points and then we had three quick points in a row from Naomh Padraig, all from play by Cormac McColgan, Kevin Doherty and the excellent Johnny Toye with his third of the game, 0-05 to 0-02 to the Muff men.
The Antrim men responded and a sweeping move left James McCabe through but goalkeeper Oran McCauley produced a super save to block out his piledriver from only 12 meters out, a great save. Kevin Doherty added Muff’s sixth point and then two cracking points from Cormac McColgan made it a six point game.
Naomh Padraig then suffered a big blow when Caolan McColgan had to be replaced after picking up an injury and Naomh Comhghall then kicked the last score of the half, a fine effort from Ryan Clarke to leave the half-time score at 0-08 to 0-03 in favour of Muff.
Naomh Padraig’s Caolan McColgan looks for options under pressure during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
The teams exchanged four early points in the second-half, Tom Patchett and Dylan Murdock for Naomh Comhghall, Kevin Doherty and a brilliant effort from Johnny Toye for Naomh Padraig, 0-10 to 0-05.
Tom Patchett’s free made it a four point game again but as we entered the final quarter it began to look like the Antrim men would need a goal to get right back in this game. Patchett converted another free and the lead was just three with ten minutes to go. Johnny Toye kicked his fifth point from a close range free, 0-11 to 0-07 and the need for a goal increasing by the minute for Naomh Comhghall as time slipped by.
James McCabe scored from a mark as normal time ran out and three minutes injury-time were added, so still time for that elusive goal.
It never came and Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin ran down the time with a final point from sub Drew McKinney giving them a four point victory and a semi-final spot in the Ulster Junior Championship, 0-12 to 0-08.
Naomh Padraig: Oran McCauley, Cormac Kelly, Caolan Harkin, Darragh McIntyre, Michael McCarron, Jonathan Toye (0-05), Jason McCallion, Drew McKinney (0-01), Cormac McColgan (0-03), Oisin McIntyre, Kevin Doherty (0-03), Rory Hirrell, Joe McCauley, Dermot Keaveney, Caolan McColgan. Subs used: Ronan Hoy, Jamie McColgan, Andrew McCarron,
Naomh Comhghall: Anthony Watson, Shane Gribbon, Cathal Donnelly, Caolan McKeown, Michael McCabe, James McCabe, Dannan O Hara, Josh Henry, Louis Higgins, Joseph Webb, Dylan Murdock (0-01), Aaron McGraw, Ryan Clarke (0-02), Miles Devine, Tom Patchett (0-03). Subs used: Eoin Lynott (0-01), Liam Phinn.
Referee: Maggie Farrelly (Cavan).
