St Eunan’s back on track with big win over Aodh Ruadh

It all started so promisingly for the Ballyshannon men in this balmy, well attended Saturday evening fixture. But when Saint Eunan's hit their stride midway through the first half Aodh Ruadh increasingly found themselves chasing shadows.

It was a dramatically improved display on the previous week's outing for the Ernesiders, but St Eunan's were just a clear cut above, and with Eoin McGeehin serving as executioner-in-chief the O'Donnell Park men methodically took care of business.

The homesters started the half with a real vim in their play, Jack Gallagher sending Shane McGrath through to blast over followed by Gallagher hoisting over a fine effort off the left boot.

Conor O'Donnell Jr opened the visitors' account in the fourth minute, but the Ernesiders hit back with interest. A Cian Rooney shot on goal could only be blocked out by Shaun Patton into the hands of Shane McGrath and he slammed to the back of the net.

Eunan's had their first goal chance of the game in the seventh minute, but Peter Boyle pulled off a phenomenal stop. Two minutes later Boyle was delivering up the other end, powering over a magnificent two point dead ball effort from the 45 snug to the stand sideline.

That was in the ninth minute and was to prove to be Ballyshannon's last scoring contribution to the half. 

Conor O'Donnell Sr and Conor O'Donnell Jr tapped over points to put four points between the side at the first half water break. 

After that the Letterkenny men took full charge, Eoin McGeehin stroking over immediately after the resumption.

It was a level game in the 21st minute. Aodh Ruadh were turned over on their own free in the middle third and the ball raced into the Eunan's attack where Peter Devine slipped through for Eoin McGeehin and he hammered to the net.

A minute later a majestic two pointer from Niall O'Donnell sent his side into the lead for the first time in the game. 

Points from Conor O'Donnell Jr and Padraig Boyle widened the margin before Eoin McGeehin won a ball in and hooked an audacious shot to the net on the turn.  

Last say of the half went to Kieran Tobin and at the half-time whistle it was St Eunan's who headed for the dressing room in good spirits, leading 1-4 to 2-9.

Eunan's got the perfect start to the second half, Padraig Boyle slipping over.

Eddie Lynch got Aodh Ruadh's first score in 21 minutes, but that was instantly cancelled out by a Ciaran Moore effort which was followed by a casually converted shot by Niall O'Donnell.

A Diarmaid McInerney free made it double scores 2-12 to 1-6, but Eoin McGeehin quickly tapped over a reply. McInerney then landed a two pointer free before being subbed in the 42 minute. 

Conor O'Donnell Jr (3) and Eoin McGeehin stretched the O'Donnell Park side's advantage to 12 points in the 53rd minute when Johnny Gethins finally broke the run of scores. 

When the game trundling to a finish Nathan Boyle lit matters up with a two beautifully struck two point frees, but with Padraig Boyle, James Kelly and Niall O'Donnell dividing the uprights before Cathal Boland's long whistle it was all somewhat academic.

A good win for Saint Eunan's after a first round defeat, and while Aodh Ruadh performed better it was never going to be enough to trouble a dominant Letterkenny side.

Eoin McGeehin starred for Eunan's, taking the key scores when the Aodh Ruadh challenge was at its liveliest. Ciaran Moore orchestrated matters well in midfield with Conor O'Donnell on a sight of ball as well as finishing with a big tally.

For Aodh Ruadh Shane McGrath showed up well in the first quarter, while the long range shooting of Peter and Nathan Boyle were also bright points. Elsewhere Eoin Cassidy contributed well on his introduction.

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Aodh Ruadh scorers: Shane McGrath 1-1; Nathan Boyle 0-4,2tpf; Diarmaid McInerney 0-4,1tpf,1f; Peter Boyle 0-2,tpf; Eddie Lynch, Johnny Gethins, Jack Gallagher 0-1 each.

St Eunan’s scorers: Eoin McGeehin 2-3; Conor O’Donnell jnr 0-6; Niall O’Donnell 0-4,1f,1tp; Padraig Boyle 0-3; Kieran Tobin, James Kelly, Conor O’Donnell snr, Ciaran Moore, Padraig McGettigan 0-1 each.

Aodh Ruadh: Peter Boyle; Kyle Murray, Conor Patton, Eoghan Kelly; Eddie Lynch, Johnny Gethins, Shane Delahunty; Eamonn McGrath, Matt Gillespie; Darragh Flood Dolan, Shane McGrath, Nathan Boyle; Diarmaid McInerney, Cian Rooney, Jack Gallagher.

Subs: Eoin Cassidy for Cian Rooney (40); David Dolan for  McInerney (42); Cian Dolan for Jack Gallagher (51); Ryan Keenaghan for E Kelly (51); Colm McGloin for Delahunty (53)

St Eunan's: Shaun Patton; Peter Devine, Eamon Doherty, Aaron Deeney; Sean Ryan, Kieran Tobin, James Kelly; Conor O'Donnell snr, Ciaran Moore; Oran Winston, Eoin McGeehin, Philip Doherty, Conor O'Donnell jnr, Niall O'Donnell, Padraig Boyle.

Subs: Luke McGuinness for Eamon Doherty (40); Anthony Gallagher for Aaron Deeney (52); Noel O'Donnell for Philip Doherty (51); Noah Barrett for Conor O'Donnell Jr (56); Padraig McGettigan Winston (56).

Referee: Cathal Boland (Ardara)