Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin 1-13 v 2-10 Kilmurry (Naomh Padraig win on pens 3-1, AET)
Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin have stamped their place in the All-Ireland Junior Football Final in the most dramatic of circumstances, overcoming Munster Champions Kilmurry on penalties.
The game hung in the balance several times, but the men from Muff had ice in their veins as time and again they fought back to keep themselves in the game before a stupendous shootout performance from Naomh Padraig keeper Oran McCauley helped them to a first-ever All-Ireland final.
Naomh Padraig got off to a promising start at Parnell Park, with two quick points from Kevin Doherty cancelling out a Kilmurry score in the opening ten minutes.
However, the County Cork men would surge ahead in the 11th minute as Lawrence Aisling found the back of the net – leaving it 1-01 to 0-02 in their favour.
Further scores would be hard to come by in the rest of the first half, as both sides only added two points apiece in the remaining twenty minutes of the period, leaving Kilmurry ahead 1-03 to 0-04 at the break.
However, the Muff men would start the second half in fine form with a scoring spree, as two points from Johnny Toye and Caolan McColgan each gave Naomh Padraig their first lead since the tenth minute of the match.
The Munster Champions were far from finished though, Kilmurry knocking over three points of their own in succession to take the lead back before a Kevin Doherty free saw the sides level again in the 48th minute.
Kilmurry hit what looked like the finishing blow as the clock struck the sixtieth minute, but as the third and final minute of added time was up Naomh Padraig were awarded a 45.
Kevin Lynch more than met the moment and expertly fired over the bar to keep the dream alive for the men from Naomh Padraig and send this gripping fixture to extra time – 1-07 to 0-10.
Unfortunately for the Muff side they couldn’t keep that momentum up at the beginning of extra time, as Kilmurry scored a point and a goal within 90 seconds of the restart to put one foot in the All-Ireland Junior Football Final once again.
Once again the fighting spirit of Naomh Padraig was on display though, as star man Caolan McColgan went on a stupendous 30-metre run right up the middle of the Kilmurry defence after making a great interception in midfield, eventually being dragged down by three Kilmurry defenders on the edge of the box – leading to calls for a penalty from the Muff side.
However, the referee adjudged the foul to have taken place just outside the box, leaving Kevin Lynch to knock over a simple free and bring Naomh Padraig back within a goal.
The sides would trade scores again and at the halfway point of extra time it was Kilmurry 2-09, Naomh Padraig 0-12.
The lead would be cut to two just after the restart of extra time, Kevin Lynch again cooly slotting over from a free.
On the 76th minute Caolan McColgan again went on a long, mazing run through the Kilmurry defence before being pulled down – this time the referee awarding a penalty to the Muff side as this enthralling encounter reached new dramatic heights.
Kevin Lynch stayed cool under the highest of pressure, slotting the penalty into the back of the net and restoring Naomh Padraig’s lead despite the Kilmurry keeper getting a hand on it – 2-09 to 1-13 and a one-point advantage to the Donegal side.
That set up the tense final moments of the game, as Kilmurry pushed for an equaliser and eventually were awarded a free in the 82nd minute of this remarkable match – one which barely squeaked over the bar and brought the teams level again and sent the game to penalties.
Naomh Padraig keeper Oran McCauley made a massive save to start the shoot out, before the side’s star men McColgan and Lynch fired home their first two penalties to make it 2-1.
Then McCauley came up big again, saving Kilmurry’s third penalty attempt and putting Naomh Padraig on the verge of the Final.
It wasn’t that simple however, as Jason O’Donnell of Naomh Padraig then had his own effort saved by the Kilmurry keeper.
Then up stepped McCauley again, with a remarkable third save of the shootout against another poorly-hit Kilmurry effort, teeing up Rory Hirrell who expertly finished his penalty to cap off a remarkable match and book Naomh Padraig’s spot in the All-Ireland Junior Football Final.
