By Matthew Wilson
St Eunan’s 0-15
Aodh Ruadh 1-10
St Eunan’s registered a hard fought two-point victory over Aodh Ruadh at O’Donnell Park on Sunday afternoon.
Kieran Donnelly’s side led by five points heading into the final quarter and despite a battling display from the Ballyshannon men, the hosts held on to seal the win.
St Eunan’s started this encounter on the front foot, kicking the first four points of the afternoon.
Conor O’Donnell Jnr got the scoreboard ticking in the opening minute before further scores from Pauric Boyle and a superb two-pointed effort from O’Donnell Jnr gave the hosts an early advantage.
On nine minutes, Aodh Ruadh were awarded a penalty as Eamonn McGrath was tackled highly in the square and referee Pat Barrett immediately blew his whistle.
Nathan Boyle stepped up to the spot for the visitors and sent Christopher O’Donnell the wrong way, reducing the arrears to the minimum.
The Letterkenny men responded well though, landing back-to-back points through a well-taken score from Brian MacIntyre and a fisted effort courtesy of Jordan O’Dowd.
However, the visitors hit back with two of their own as Damian Weber found the target twice in quick succession (one free) to leave a point between the sides once again.
Conor O’Donnell Jnr responded for the home side by finding the white flag at the other end.
The last four scores of Act One were shared two-apiece, with Nathan Boyle and Eoin Cassidy hitting the target for the away side while Conor O’Donnell Jnr fired over a pair of points for the hosts.
Brian MacIntyre kicked his second score of the afternoon in the last bit of action of the opening stanza, leaving St Eunan’s three ahead at the break.
It took five minutes of the second stanza for the first score to arrive when Conor O’Donnell Jnr converted a short range free for the home outfit.
This was closely followed by another placed ball from O’Donnell Jnr to give his side a five-point cushion.
The next period of play was finely balanced between the pair but neither team were able to contribute towards the scoreboard, leaving the difference still at five as we entered the final quarter.
The Ballyshannon men’s first score of Act Two arrived on the 52 minute mark when Damian Weber struck over a well-taken free.
But it was immediately cancelled out at the other end, with Aaron Deeney getting forward from defence to fist the ball over the bar.
The Father Tierney Park residents continued battling though and three successive scores courtesy of Philip Patton (2) and Nathan Boyle (45’) reduced the arrears to two as we approached the final five minutes.
Conor O’Donnell Jnr hit back with a much needed free for the O’Donnell Park outfit.
But a superb effort from Nathan Boyle shortly afterwards saw the orange flag raised, leaving a point between the teams in additional time.
Aodh Ruadh chased the score that they needed in the closing stages but it was the hosts who concluded the afternoon’s scoring through an O’Donnell Jnr free to seal the win for his side.
Teams
St Eunan’s: Christopher O’Donnell; Aaron Deeney (0-1), Caolan Ward, Josh Hay; Noah Barrett, Kieran Tobin, Oran Winston; Eoin Dowling, Conor O’Donnell Snr; Brian MacIntyre (0-2), Dylan Doogan, Kevin Kealy; Pauric Boyle (0-1), Jordan O’Dowd (0-1), Conor O’Donnell Jnr (0-10, 1tp, 0-4f, 0-1 45’). Subs: Padraig McGettigan for Boyle (55 mins), Peter Devine and Philip Doherty for Doogan and Kealy (57 mins).
Aodh Ruadh: Peter Boyle; Kyle Murray, Eamonn McGrath, Darragh Dolan; Damian Weber (0-3,0-2f), Niall Murray, Michael Ward; Garreth Brennan, Shane Delahunty; Shane McGrath, Eoin Cassidy (0-1), Nathan Boyle (1-4,1-0 pen, 1tp, 0-1 45’); Philip Patton (0-2), Shane McGloin, Eddie Lynch. Subs: Joseph Gibbions for Cassidy (45 mins), Senan Rooney for Niall Murray (50 mins), Cian Dolan for McGloin (52 mins), David Dolan for Weber (57 mins).
Referee: Pat Barrett (Milford).