Kinawley 3-9 Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin 2-15
BY MARK McGOLDRICK
A dramatic late goal from Jamie McCauley broke Kinawley’s hearts as Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin snatched a thrilling victory in Sunday’s Ulster Intermediate Club Championship quarter-final at Brewster Park.
The Donegal champions eventually prevailed on a scoreline of 2-15 to 3-9 after a pulsating contest which saw Kinawley lead for long periods before a dramatic second-half turnaround.
Ruairi Corrigan opened the scoring for Kinawley after just two minutes, and the Fermanagh champions dominated the early exchanges.
However, they were unable to make their dominance count, with Toye opening Naomh Pádraig’s account five minutes into the contest.
Tiernan McKenna added another for Kinawley, but the influential Toye responded with a superb two-point free from the ground to give the Muff men a one-point advantage.
St Patrick’s gradually found their rhythm, with Cillian Doyle and Oisin McIntyre adding scores to stretch their lead to three after 15 minutes.
Kinawley responded in impressive fashion, however, as Tom Keenan found the net from close range after McKenna’s effort came back off the upright.
McKenna and St Patrick’s talisman Caolan McColgan exchanged scores before Kinawley captain Sean McManus produced a superb two-pointer to put his side ahead.
Donnacha Morris and Dara Cathcart extended the Fermanagh side’s advantage, but McColgan continued to lead the Naomh Pádraig response with an excellent point.
Kinawley finished the half strongly and struck for their second goal just before the interval, with McKenna finding the net after a clever lay-off from Morris to leave the home side in control at 2-7 to 0-7.
Naomh Pádraig needed a fast start to the second half and Toye duly delivered, landing another two-pointer to reduce the deficit.
They were soon handed a further boost when Peter McLaughlin’s attempted point sailed over Kinawley goalkeeper Shea McElroy and into the net, cutting the gap to just one.
The momentum had swung firmly in St Patrick’s favour and Toye levelled matters with a close-range free with 20 minutes remaining.
Cillian Doyle then edged the Donegal champions in front before Jamie McCauley added another score.
Doyle increased the advantage further, although McKenna kept Kinawley in touch with a converted free.
With three minutes remaining, Kinawley looked to have turned the contest back in their favour.
Corrigan evaded the St Patrick’s defence before firing to the net to put the Fermanagh men one point ahead.
But, Naomh Pádraig refused to surrender.
County star McColgan produced a brilliant score with two minutes remaining to level the contest before Paul Breen edged Kinawley back in front.
As the game entered injury time, Toye once again came to the rescue with a levelling point.
There was still time for one final twist, though, as Toye delivered a dangerous ball into the Kinawley defence.
The delivery dropped over the defenders and was finished to the net by McCauley, sparking wild celebrations among the visiting players and supporters.
It was a cruel ending for Kinawley, who had battled superbly throughout, but Naomh Pádraig showed tremendous character to book their place in the semi-finals of the Ulster Intermediate Club Championship.
