Gaeil Fhánada boost survival hopes with win over Naomh Padráig Uisce Chaoin

Gaeil Fhánada prevailed by four points in an entertaining Division 2 game played at Páirc Uí Shiadhail against Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin on Friday evening.

The breeze played its part, with the visitors Naomh Pádraig striking a trio of two pointers in the first quarter to lead by 0-6 to 0-3. Jonathan Toye, Kevin Doherty and Eunan Mullan landed those scores, while Gaeil Fhánada’s early scores came from Shaun Kerr, Seamie Friel, and Michael Sweeney.

Naomh Pádraig were the dominant force in the second quarter, landing five points on the spin to move into an eight-point lead approaching the break.

Fanad would’ve been disappointed with some of their shooting during that period, but they did halt the Muff momentum with the final point of the half, Shaun Kerr with his second of the evening. Naomh Pádraig 0-11 Gaeil Fhánada 0-04.

The hosts would’ve been acutely aware that a big second-half performance was required, and they set about their work quickly and efficiently after the break.

Bernard McGettigan won a big turnover and proceeded to step forward to kick a two point effort in the early moments, and that was quickly followed by a one point James Kerr effort.

A critical score then arrived from substitute Mark McAteer, who found the net as he lobbed the onrushing Naomh Pádraig netminder, leaving just a point between the teams. Another substitute, Liam McGrenaghan, then edged the hosts into the lead, raising the orange flag with a two pointer.

Naomh Pádraig dug in and halted the momentum as they landed a point to level matters as the second half approached its halfway mark.

It was point for point for the next period, as the sides exchanged six scores, but crucially for the hosts, Seamie Friel landed a two pointer while the other five scores were all worth one.

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Friel and James Kerr landed the other two Fanad scores during that period. As the game went down the stretch, the final two pointer of the hour arrived, Oisín Shiels stepping up to put three between the sides, before the final act, a Mark McAteer effort for a single point sealed the victory for the Fanad men.

The wind was a big factor in the game, both teams dominating with the advantage of the breeze, but the goal and the impact of the Gaeil Fhánada bench were the crucial elements of their win.

Naomh Pádraig were very slick in the opening period, doing very well on the kickouts and showing a clinical edge in front of the posts, while Gaeil Fhánada can point to a very positive offensive display after the break, and a hard-working performance all over the field as key to their win.

Gaeil Fhánada scorers: Mark McAteer 1-1; Seamie Friel 0-4,1tp; Oisin Shiels, Liam Mc Grenaghan and Bernard McGettigan 0-2,1tp each; Shaun Kerr and James Kerr 0-2 each; Michael Sweeney 0-1.

Naomh Pádraig scorers: Jonathan Toye 0-4,1tp; Kevin Doherty 0-4,2tp; Cillian Doyle 0-4; Eunan Mullan 0-2,tp; Oisin McIntyre 0-1.

Gaeil Fhánada: Eoin Mc Gonigle; Ciarán Sweeney, Paddy Heraghty, Ronan Mc Ateer; Jimmy Coyle, Shaun Kerr, Conor Heraghty; Shaun Carr, Oisín Shiels; Oisín McFadden, Bernard McGettigan, Darren McElwaine; James Kerr, Michael Sweeney, Seamie Friel.

Subs: Mark McAteer for Oisín McFadden, Liam McGrenaghan for Conor Heraghty.

Naomh Pádraig: Diarmuid Mc Kane, Jason Lynch, Darragh Mc Intyre, Michael Mc Carron, Patrick Hirrell, Cormac Kelly, Jason Mc Callion, Eunan Mullan, Oisín Mc Intyre, Jonathan Toye, Kevin Doherty, Cormac Mc Colgan, Cillian Doyle, Cathal Mc Colgan, Jamie Mc Cauley.