Cormac McColgan lands dramatic two point winner for Naomh Pádraig in Bundoran

Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin came from behind to snatch a dramatic win over Realt na Mara in Bundoran to get a dream start to their championship campaign.

With his side trailing by a point deep in added on time, Cormac McColgan stepped up to land a massive two point score to snatch a dramatic one point win and a brilliant opening to their championship campaign. 

In a keenly contested encounter from the off, Kyle McNulty kicked the game’s opening point to get the locals up and running, which was quickly matched by a fine Jonny Toye point for Naomh Padraig.

Jamie Brennan registered the first of his three points shortly after, before Jamie McCauley struck for the game's opening goal.

That was on ten minutes when McCauley fisted past Conor Carthy after the Bundoran net minder had done well to palm away a high speculative lob.

Naomh Pádraig were now in front 1-1 to 0–2 for the first time. Gary Clancy reduced the margin to a single point before Brennan from the penalty spot restored Bundoran’s lead.

The penalty was awarded after Diarmuid O’Kane was adjudged to have got in a footblock on Niall Carr as he was about to pull the trigger.

Jamie McColgan and Darragh Hoey - who had a fine game - then exchanged strikes before Jamie McColgan landed the game’s first two-point score to level the game.

Ryan Barrett and the hard-working Toye traded points on the brink of half-time to send the sides in locked on 1-5 each at the half-time interval.

Wind-assisted Bundoran kicked the first three points of the second period courtesy of Darragh Hoey, Adam McGlone, and Jamie Brennan to open up a 1-8 to 1-5 lead.

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Naomh Pádraig suffered a setback when they lost county ace Caolan McColgan to injury. Bundoran also lost the influential Niall Carr to injury.

Naomh Padraig were next to score when Rian Gallagher, with his first touch after replacing McColgan, split the Bundoran posts for a fine score. And the margin was back to a single point shortly after, thanks to a Rory Hirrell point.

Bundoran's claim for a Darragh Hoey two point score was turned down by referee Daniel Carlin as the official ruled that Hoey’s strike had been touched by a Naomh Pádraig player.

Jonny Toye and Jamie McCauley levelled the game again before Cillian Doyle edged Naomh Pádraig ahead with under ten minutes remaining.

The sides were level one more time before Jamie Brennan kicked what locked like the winner with time almost up.

But Naomh Padraig and Cormac McColgan had other ideas.  

Bundoran scorers: Jamie Brennan 1-3, 1-0 pen,1f; Darragh Hoey 0-3; Gary Clancy, Ryan Barrett, Cian McEniff, Adam McGlone and Kyle McNulty 0-1 each.

Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin: Jamie McCauley 1-1 Jonathan Toye 0-3,1f, Jamie McColgan 0-3, 1tpt,  Cormac McColgan 0-2tp; Cillian Doyle, Rian Gallagher, Patrick Hirrell 0-1 each. 

Bundoran: Conor Carty; Callum Tierney, Johnny Boyle,  Maitiu Tierney; Jamie Brennan, Ryan Barrett, Lee Smyth;  Niall Carr, Ryan McGloin; Shane McGowan, Matthew Duffy, Darragh Hoey;  Adam McGlone, Gary Clancy,  Kyle McNulty.

Subs: Cian McEniff for K McNulty (40); Anton Govorov for N Carr (42). 

Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin: Diarmuid McKane; Michael McCarron, Caolan Harkin,  Darragh McIntyre; Oisin McIntyre, Cormac Kelly, Jason McCallion; Cormac McColgan, Eunan Mullin; Patrick Hirrell, Jonathan Toye, Caolan McColgan; Cillian Doyle, Jamie McColgan, Jamie McCauley.

Subs: Rian Gallagher for Caolan McColgan (40); Dermot Keaveney for P Hirrell (58); Andy McCarron for J McColgan (58).

Referee: Daniel Carlin (Naomh Pádraig, Lifford).