Young Four Masters side edge close game against St Naul’s

The result was never really in doubt in Tirconaill Park but the experience of Peadar Mogan ensured that the game was close down to the wire.

The young Donegal Town side had plenty of the ball with Turlough Carr playing the Paudie Clifford role but it was Conor McCahill and the Reids who made the biggest difference. Callum McCrea also showed up well. They will learn from this game but will be happy to have Seanan Carr free from his Boston duties next weekend.

St Naul’s were buoyed by the return of their county trio but it was obvious that Stephen Griffin, their natural leader, was not fully fit.

It was cagey for much of the contest and not a good advertisement for the rule changes, with both sides shot-shy. Mogan almost singlehandedly kept St Naul’s in the contest in the second half and there was a bit of excitement for the big attendance as the game reached its climax with just two points in it. The two pointer that was needed for St Naul’s didn’t come and in the end Masters were happy to take the two points.

St Naul's had the advantage of the diagonal breeze in the opening half but both sides were a bit reluctant to shoot.

Conor McCahill got Four Masters on the board after three minutes but Ian Campbell levelled from a forward mark.

McCahill, from a free, and Callum McCrea eased Four Masters two ahead before Peadar Mogan hit one of the points of the half from  distance.

Another brace from Alex McCalmont and Kevin Muldoon had Four Masters three ahead, but there was an eight minute gap between those scores.

St Naul's were penalised for  a three up breach and Conor McCahill tapped over the free but Stephen Griffin pulled one back when Ian Campbell was fouled.

Just on the stroke of half-time Joe Campbell hit the point of the half to leave it 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.

A slip by Barry Griffin after a great kick-out from Gavin Mulreany led to Conor Reid getting the first score of the second half, aided by Conor McCahill with a goal chance momentarily on the menu.

Stepheh Griffin pointed a free as Joe Leape and Peadar  Mogan traded scores. Four Masters did create a goal chance on 45 minutes thanks to an Oisin Reid turnover with Kevin Muldoon's final pass to  Conor McCahill leaving him stretching and Gavin Mulreany turned it out for a '45'.

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With 10 minutes to go Kevin Muldoon hit a '45' to open the gap to three points but Mogan responded for St Naul's. Joe Leape set the gap at three again but once more Mogan won and pointed a free on 60 minutes to leave two in it. St Naul's tried to create the two pointer to level matters and it was Mogan who had the effort but it tailed off. McCaughan's kick-out was Patton-like and it cleared the field for Turlough Carr to glide through and fist the final score.

Four Masters scorers: Conor McCahill 0-3,2f; Kevin Muldoon (1'45'), Conor Reid, Joe Leape 0-2 each; Callum McCrea, Turlough Carr, Alex McCalmont 0-1 each.

St Naul's scorers: Peadar Mogan 0-4,2f; Stephen Griffin 0-3,3f; Ian Campbell (fmark), Joe Campbell 0-1 each.

Four Masters: Lewis McCaughan; Aaron McCrea, Dylan Kennedy, Caolan Loughney; David Monaghan, Oisin Reid, Callum McCrea; Paddy Reid, Kevin Muldoon; Richard O'Rourke, Turlough Carr, Alex McCalmont; Conor McCahill, Killian Faulkner, Conor Reid.

Subs: Joe Leape for  D Monaghan (ht); Jamie Crawford for K Faulkner (53).

St Naul's: Gavin Mulreany; Kyle Campbell, Niall Prendiville, John Rose; Michael Coughlan, Brendan McCole, Martin Breslin; Barry Griffin, Lee McBrearty; Stuart Johnston, Peadar Mogan, Thomas White; Ian Campbell, Stephen Griffin, Joe Campbell.

Subs: Danny McDyer and Declan Duignan for White and L McBrearty (both 51); Barry Rose and Johnathan O'Driscoll for Johnston and Coughlan (both 60).

Referee: James Connors (St Eunan's)