Carndonagh 0-18 Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin 1-16
NAOMH Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin are Intermediate Champions for the very first time after they edged out their neighbours Carndonagh in a tense decider at O’Donnell Park on Sunday.
It all went the way of Peter Murphy’s Naomh Pádraig in the first half and a great goal from Oisin McIntyre had them 1-11 to 0-4 ahead at the break.
Carn struggled early in the second half but eventually found their groove and started to claw back their deficit.
They got back to within one with two minutes remaining and the chances to force a replay.
However, they couldn’t take them and Naomh Pádraig were thrilled to get the win and advance to senior football for the very first time.
Naomh Pádraig had a great first half when they beat Carn in the Junior Final two years ago and they were hoping for the same again on Sunday.
They were out of the blocks quickly with the breeze supporting them as Michael McCarron and Kevin Lynch (free) both nailed two-pointers.
Carn soon played their way into the match and they crafted good points from play for Olan McLaughlin and Conor O’Donnell.
Muff picked it up again after that and Cormac Kelly almost fisted to the net when Caolan McColgan’s effort dropped short.
The Naomh Pádraig players were not afraid to take on shots from play and Andrew McCarron and Lynch both nailed two-pointers as they opened up a 0-8 to 0-2 lead.
Carn didn’t panic and Conor O’Donnell won and converted a free before the county star set up Olan McLaughlin for a point.
The Foden side were attacking well but defensively, they were sitting too deep.
That invited Muff to take on shots and Caolan McColgan was the latest player to raise an orange flag.
Naomh Pádraig went seven ahead when Cormac Kelly punched over the bar before a massive score arrived on the stroke of half-time.
Oisin McIntyre brilliantly fielded a Carn kick-out and his team worked the ball well down the left wing.
Caolan McColgan and Danny McMenamin were involved before the ball came back to Oisin McIntyre and he rifled high to the net from an acute angle.
The Ture men raced into the dressing rooms with a ten-point advantage at the break.
Darragh McIntyre fisted the first score of the second half for Muff and Carn struggled to get scores initially.
Olan McLaughlin did pop over and then Conor O’Donnell followed suit.
Quickfire two-pointers from Padraig Doherty and Kalvin McLaughlin had the gap back to five after 42 minutes and the Carn supporters were soon on their feet backing their team.
Lynch was up for the battle and he kicked a free for Naomh Padraig but Carn came back for more.
Anthony Doherty was given too much leeway on the right flank and he helped himself to three points in five minutes.
Oisin McIntyre replied with a much-needed point for Murphy’s team, and his brother Darragh could have killed it off but he slipped with the goal at his mercy when Cillian Doyle squared the ball.
Kalvin McLaughlin then supplied a two-pointer for Carn but they were incensed in the 61st minute when a soft free was given against them and while Johnny Toye slipped who still managed enough gas to secure an orange flag.
That had Muff four ahead but Conor O’Donnell hit back immediately with a score and then a two-pointer.
O’Donnell Park was at fever pitch with just one point between the sides and Carn had their chances.
Senan Grant was off target and Olan McLaughlin went close but his effort tailed wide.
Man-of-the-match Lynch then won a crucial kick-out and Naomh Pádraig saw out the closing seconds to land the Cathal McLaughlin Cup for the very first time.
Carndonagh: Dan McDaid; Eoghan Kelly, James Monagle, Darragh Browne; Cian Burke, Danny Monagle, Senan Grant; Sean O’Carroll, Kalvin McLaughlin (0-4, 2tps); Anthony Doherty (0-3), Padraig Doherty (0-2, 1tp), Olan McLaughlin (0-3); Cian Doherty, Odhran O’Donnell, Conor O’Donnell (0-6, 1tpf, 1f). Subs: Feargal Doherty for O.O’Donnell (48 mins), Michael Noone for P.Doherty (59 mins).
Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin: Diarmuid McKane; Caolan Harkin, Johnny Toye (0-2, 1tpf), Daniel McMenamin; Michael McCarron (0-2, 1tp), Drew McKinney, Peter McLaughlin; Cormac Kelly (0-1), Kevin Lynch (0-5, 1tpf, 1tp, 1f); Darragh McIntyre (0-1), Kevin Doherty, Oisin McIntyre (1-1); Andrew McCarron (0-2, 1tp), Caolan McColgan (0-2, 1tp), Cillian Doyle. Sub: Finn McClafferty for A.McCarron (43 mins).
Referee: Anthony Finn (Naomh Colmcille).