Milford 1-15
Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin 2-13
By Ryan Ferry
Shaun Curran struck two goals as Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin produced an excellent second half to beat Milford in Division 2 on Saturday evening.
Milford came into the game fourth from bottom in the league and they were sharp in the first half and were seven ahead at the break.
However, Muff were totally dominant in the second half and while they were wasteful in front of the posts, they eventually came through to win by a point.
Both sides were down some key men for this contest at Moyle Park.
Milford’s Rory O’Donnell and Dylan Dorrian have headed to San Francisco for the summer, while the experienced Cathal McGettigan and Lorcan Friel were on holidays.
Drew McKinney, Cormac McColgan and Jonny Toye were among the Naomh Pádraig regulars who weren’t available on Saturday.
Muff were keen to get their promotion charge back on track after losing to Fanad six days previously, and Cillian Doyle opened the scoring before Kane Barrett and Andrew McCarron swapped two-pointers.
Shane Black landed the next two points for Milford and Kane Barrett put them into a 0-5 to 0-3 lead.
Oisin McIntyre lofted over for Muff with the aid of the post but a lovely Shane Black two-point free had Milford 0-7 to 0-4 in front.
Andy McCarron (free) and Cormac Kelly replied with fine efforts for Naomh Padraig.
However, Milford then swooped for a lovely goal in the 21st minute when Kane Barrett and Shea Cannon combined before DarraghBlack produced a lovely finish to Oisin Quigley’s net.
County U20 panellists Doyle fired back for Naomh Pádraig with a score but Milford finished the half strongly.
Shane Black raised a white flag and then helped himself to a two-pointer while a good effort from Kane Barrett had Milford 1-11 to 0-7 up at the break.
Muff almost got the dream start to the second half when Dermot Keaveney scrambled the ball to the net but the referee had blown for a free which Doyle nailed.
The Inishowen men were dominant and while they weren’t as clinical as they might have been, Doyle did kick two frees.
Kevin Lynch went on at full-forward and Naomh Pádraig tried to hit him early.
One high ball evaded Lynch but it fell perfectly for Shaun Curran who rifled high to the net.
Doyle followed up with a free and the sides were level after 50 minutes.
Milford spurned a good goal chance after that as Shea Cannon was bottled up before Kane Barrett (free) and Lynch swapped points.
Shane Black (free) and Cillian Doyle exchanged scores as the tension started to build.
Muff stepped it up and Kevin Lynch won a penalty with Curran firing into the bottom corner.
Milford came back again with Kane Barrett registering a two-pointer.
They did have two decent chances late on but couldn’t find another score and Naomh Pádraig held on for the win.
Teams
Milford: Shea McBride; Kieran Sheridan, Peter Curran, Shay Durning; Conor McLaughlin, Luke Barrett, Shaun Coffey; Paul Ryan, Eoin O’Donnell; Peter McCleary, Darragh Black (1-0), Kyle Black; Shane Black (0-8, 1tp, 1tpf, 1tp, 2fs), Kane Barrett (0-7, 1tp, 1tpf, 2fs), Shea Cannon. Subs: Ryan McElhinney for McCleary (49 mins), Ryan Orr for Coffey (54 mins).
Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin: Oisin Quigley; Daniel McMenamin, Caolan Harkin, Evan McColgan; Shea Lynch, Michael McCarron, Peter McLaughlin; Cormac Kelly (0-1), Darragh McIntyre; Cormac Doherty, Shaun Curran (2-0, 1 pen), Oisin McIntyre (0-1); Andrew McCarron (0-3, 1tp), Dermot Keaveney, Cillian Doyle (0-7, 4fs). Subs: Kevin Lynch (0-1) for S.Lynch (36 mins), Eamon Doherty for Cormac Doherty (50 mins), Dylan McCallion for Keaveney (59 mins).
Referee: Daniel Carlin (Naomh Pádraig, Lifford)