14-man Kilcar hold their Division 1 status with victory over Na Dúnaibh

Kilcar retained their Division 1 status with a hard-earned victory over Na Dúnaibh in Towney with the visitors now having to contest a relegation play-off with the third from top in Division 2.

Kilcar can thank Mark McHugh, who finished with 0-11. They were in control after a good second quarter and went in at half-time seven ahead.

The margin was out to 10 points on a couple of occasions in the second half and despite being reduced to 14 the home side never looked like being caught.

Kilcar got off to the perfect start with a two pointer from Mark McHugh and Ciaran McGinley added another and Mark McHugh made it 0-4 to no score from a free.

Na Dúnaibh hit back with a goal, Ethan Cullen in the right place to fire home.

Mark McHugh replied from play but Paddy McElwee pointed and then hit a two point free to put his side ahead.

Kilcar responded well 1-5 without reply. Stephen McBrearty, Mark McHugh and Seanie Boyle with a two pointer before Stephen McBrearty fired home a goal. Mark McHugh added a free for a 1-10 to 1-3 lead.

Paddy McElwaine pointed for Na Dúnaibh but Conor O’Donnell and Ciaran McGinley had Kilcar points before Oisin Boyce had the final score of the first half to leave it 1-12 to 1-5 in favour of Kilcar at half-time.

Mark McHugh took up where he left off with the first point of the second half and Seanie Boyle added another. But then Na Dúnaibh hit back with a Ronan Gallagher penalty as Kilcar were reduced to 14 with Gary Molloy red carded.

Mark McHugh responded with a two point free and another one point free while Ryan O’Donnell, just on the field, made it 1-18 to 2-5.

Johnny McGroddy hit a two pointer but it was cancelled by points from  Ciaran McGinley and Ciaran O’Donnell.

Na Dúnaibh were given hope with a third goal, finished by Alex Gerwatowski and a two point free from Ronan Gallagher to cut the lead to five points (1-20 to 3-9). Mark  McHugh had his 11th point from a free while Paddy McElwee brought the curtain down on the scoring with a two pointer.

Kilcar scorers: Mark McHugh 0-11,5f,2tp,1tpf; Stephen McBrearty 1-1; Ciaran McGinley 0-3; Seanie Boyle 0-3,1tp; Conor O’Donnell Ciaran O’Donnell, Ryan O’Donnell 0-1 each.

Na Dúnaibh scorers: Ronan Gallagher 1-2,pen,tpf; Paddy McElwee 0-6,1tp,1tpf; Ethan Cullen 1-0,  Alex Gerwatowski 1-0; Johnny McGroddy 0-2,tp; Oisin Boyce 0-1.

Kilcar: Eoin O’Donnell; Daniel Lyons,  Eoghan Cormack, Barry McGinley; Gary Molloy, Ryan McShane, Conor Doherty; Ciaran McGinley, Mark McHugh; Michael O’Donnell, Seanie Boyle, Conor O’Donnell; Ciaran O’Donnell, Stephen McBrearty, Karl Lyons.

Subs: Ben Rafferty for S McBrearty (38); Ryan O’Donnell for M O’Donnell (40); Paddy McShane for K Lyons (41)

Na Dúnaibh: Jordi Nugent; Tiarnan McBride, Ben McNutt, Ronan Pasoma; Alan Pasoma, Dylan McGloin, Conor Boyce; Oisin Boyce, Shay Coyle; Ronan Gallagher, Alex Gerwatowski, Paul McGroddy; Johnny McGroddy, Ethan Cullen, Paddy McElwee.

Subs: Gary McClafferty, Danny McBride.

Referee: Cathal Boland (Ardara)