Naomh Pádraig, Lifford take first win as Na Rossa lose unbeaten record

Naomh Pádraig, Lifford got their first win of the Division 3 All-County League season against a previously unbeaten Na Rossa in a sunny Páirc MacDiarmada on Saturday evening.

The home side took a while to get going as Cillian Bonner and Adrian Hanlon were doing damage for Na Rossa, but a couple of two-pointers from Kyle Martin gave them a grip, and as Oran Gallen found the net on the stroke of half-time, they led by 1-8 to 0-7.

A Paul Lynch two-point free helped extend the deficit to seven, but the visitors soon cut the margin to the minimum with the help of a Patrick Melly goal.

But a brace from Lynch and Seamus Breslin, was followed by a Martin goal with five minutes to go as Donal Grant’s men stormed ahead again.

Hanlon found the net for Na Rossa quickly after, but the Lifford men held out with patient play towards the end to take a first win.

Cillian Bonner set the tone with an effort from the left for the visitors, but Cameron Mahon instantly responded as Seamus Breslin won the kick out and played him in. 

But Na Rossa, with Bonner fielding a great ball in from Adrian Hanlon, kicked another score before Hanlon powered over a two-pointer. 

Mark Gavin and Odhran Molloy (free) traded scores, and Kyle Martin hit a super two-pointer just before the water break. 

Bonner got a third point as he again caught a Hanlon pass and fired over on the turn, but the Lifford men levelled with a good solo score from Kyle Martin, having the orange flag raised again. 

The hosts almost went ahead as James Bonner’s kick out only went to Martin and he tried to fire in at the near post but Bonner got back to clear, with Hanlon firing over on the counter from that. 

Michael Gallagher levelled the game again and Gavin got his second score of the game before a goal chance at either end, Kevin Lynch saving from Mark Bonner. 

And on the stroke of half-time a good solo run from Oran Gallen got him in for a goal to go 1-8 to 0-7 ahead at the break. 

It got better for them after the restart, a Martin free and a two-point free from Paul Lynch had them seven ahead but Na Rossa hit back. 

There was a bit of fortune in their goal however as Ben Boyle’s shot dropped short and went under Kevin Lynch, allowing Patrick Melly to poke in from close range. 

Molloy and Cillian Bonner added frees before Molloy pointed from play to make it a one point game with 15 to play.

But Lifford surged ahead again, a two-pointer with the outside of the boot from Seamus Breslin and a couple of frees from Lynch.

Martin then got his goal after a pass from Michael Gallagher as he found the roof of the net, but a minute later Hanlon was played in by Mark Bonner and his powerful effort couldn’t be kept out by Lynch.

It was too little, too late however for the West Donegal side as Lifford claimed the two points.

Naomh Pádraig, Lifford scorers: Kyle Martin 1-5, 2tp, 1f; Paul Lynch 0-4, 2f, 1tpf; Oran Gallen 1-0; Mark Gavin 0-2; Seamus Breslin 0-2, tp; Cameron Mahon 0-1, Michael Gallagher 0-1

Na Rossa scorers: Adrian Hanlon 1-3, 1tp; Odhran Molloy 0-4,3f; fCillian Bonner 0-3; Patrick Melly 1-0

Naomh Pádraig, Lifford: Kevin Lynch; Jack Mahon, Martin McHugh, Rory Brennan; Mark Gavin, Seamus Breslin, Oran Gallen; Michael Gallagher, Eoin Doherty; Eoin Breslin, Paul Lynch, Cameron Mahon; Matthew Doherty, Kyle Martin, Sean Browne.

Subs: John Mahon for M Doherty (56); Daniel Lindsay for E Breslin (56)

Na Rossa: James Bonner; Jason Breslin, Paul O’Donnell, Peadar O Gallachoir; Mark Bonner, Daniel Melly, Jason Hanlon; Odhran Molloy, Matthew Boyle; Daniel Molloy, Adrian Hanlon, Keelin Devenney; Cillian Bonner, Patrick Melly, Gerard Breslin. 

Subs: Ben Boyle for G Breslin (17); Jamie Doherty for M Boyle (30)

Referee: Cathal Gallagher (Glenswilly)