U14 SOUTHERN DIVISION 1 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
NAOMH CONAILL 4-13
KILLYBEGS 3-07
BY HARRY WALSH
NAOMH Conaill U14s completed a league and championship double over Killybegs with this hard fought win at Tir Chonaill Park on Wednesday evening.
Trailing by five points at the end of the first quarter (0-4 to 2-03), Naomh Conaill turned on the after burners thereafter adding two goals and three points with the concession of just a single point to lead by three (2-07 to 2-04) at half-time.
Influential midfielder Cian Doherty and Nathan Byrne scored Naomh Conaill’s first-half goals and when Sean Coughlan added the first of his two goals three minutes after the restart Naomh Conaill led by nine.
To their credit though, Killybegs fought their way back into the game thanks to a superb individual goal from Conor Cunningham and two points from the excellent Oran McGuinness and team captain Ryan Cunningham.
Naomh Conaill were not to be denied however and two points from Danny Gallagher, coupled by scores from Jack Boyle and substitute Mark Burke, put them back into the ascendency.
McGuinness fired over Killybegs final point of the game but the last word lay with Naomh Conaill and Coughlan in injury time when he was perfectly placed to slot home after Joe O’Donnell’s initial effort had been blocked.
Both clubs now progress to the county semi-finals and, with a little luck, they’ll get the opportunity to play a fifth game against one another this year in the Championship final.
Cian Doherty, Danny Gallagher, Leo Dunphy and Edward Moss were all outstanding for Naomh Conaill while Ryan Cunningham, Jack and Charlie Breslin and Oran McGuinness shone for Killybegs.
NAOMH CONAILL: Jason O’Donnell; Sean Roarty, Caolan McGill, Edward Moss; Neil Francis Boyle, Leo Dunphy, Caolan McMonagle; Cian Doherty (1-3), Nathan Byrne (1-1, free); Oisin Campbell, Danny Gallagher (0-6, 2 frees), Jack Boyle (0-1); Sean Coughlan (2-0), Joe O’Donnell, Joe Smith (0-1). Subs: Mark Boyle (0-1) for Campbell (half-time).
KILLYBEGS: Corey Byrne; Cillian Gildea, Ryan Carr, Jack Breslin; Liam Doherty, Michael Callaghan, Charlie Breslin; Ryan Cunningham (0-2, 1’35), Michael Statham (0-1); Ross Conneely (1-0), Owen McGing, Oran McGuinness (0-4, 2 frees); Jack O’Donnell, Conor Cunningham (1-0), Owenie Gallagher (1-0). Subs: Charlie Boyle for Gallagher (38 mins), Dylan Doogan for Callaghan (Black card, 52 mins).
REFEREE: Gabriel O’Donnell (Four Masters)
SEE FRIDAY’S DONEGAL NEWS FOR FULL REPORT
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