Naomh Padraig hold on for statement win over Buncrana to qualify for quarterfinals

Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin took Buncrana’s scalp on Sunday afternoon, running out two point winners after a high quality Intermediate football championship contest in front of a big crowd at the Scarvey and online on Donegal GAA TV.

Buncrana led by a point at half time, and with Caolan McGonagle imperious at centre field kept their noses in front until Naomh Pádraig captain Jonny Toye slammed the only goal of the game to the net midway through the second half.

That put Muff two points clear, and while Buncrana did draw level going into the last ten minutes they failed to convert a penalty – Dylan Mulholland’s effort flying over the bar for a point when a goal was needed - and had more misses besides.

That opened the door for Muff who ripped it off its hinges on the way through. With the sides level, Toye landed a monster two point free from near the sideline that restored their two point advantage.

Kevin Jordan fired over for Buncrana to leave just a point between the sides going into four minutes of injury time, but the home side missed a series of chances and the last word went to Muff’s Jason McCallion who pointed after a turnover deep inside the Buncrana defence.

The win moves Muff to five points and assures them of a place in the last eight with a game to spare, although they’ll want to defeat their neighbours Burt in round four and finish as high in the league standings as possible.

Buncrana travel to Gaeil Fhánada in round four where they probably need a win to advance to the quarters.

Read more: Na Rossa no match for Naomh Columba 

Naomh Pádraig had the benefit of the breeze in the first half and while Buncrana opened the scoring through William McLaughlin, Muff’s opener was a two pointer from Caolan McColgan.

The county man was almost untouchable in the first half, firing over five points as he shot on sight but also drawing frees for keeper Diarmuid McKane to convert. McKane missed his first long-ranger, a 45, but knocked his next two efforts, including a two pointer late in the half.

McKane was called into action between the posts too and saved at the feet of Dylan Mulholland, while at the other end Caolan McColgan was denied a goal when his shot was blocked after he’d exchanged a swift one-two with Paddy Hirrell.

The other county man on show, Caolan McGonagle, was outstanding over the hour with his fielding and driving runs were central to all that was good about Buncrana: he set up scores for Ryan Bradley and Andrew Davison, and landed two huge two point frees when kicking into the breeze.

Dylan Mulholland was lively for Buncrana in the first half too, getting onto a lot of ball to set up his teammates and striking over two points from play.

The sides were tied at 0-9 apiece going into first half injury time before the county men scored at either end. First, McColgan fired over a no-look point from wide on the right, but McGonagle hit back with one of those big two point frees to give Buncrana a 0-11 to 0-10 lead at the break.

Read more: Malin and Fanad draw at Connolly Park

Jonny Toye, deployed at full forward for most of the game, came to the fore for Naomh Pádraig in the second half and set up Cormac McColgan for the first score after half time.

Buncrana were putting the squeeze on Muff, getting some long kickouts away over the top and extending their lead through Michael Bernard McLaughlin and a Caolan McGonagle two pointer after he swatted away the challenge of Eunan Mullan for a 0-14 to 0-12 lead by 40th minute.

But Muff are nothing if not resilient and Toye curled over a free in response, and followed that up with a powerfully taken goal after a quick exchange of passes with Darragh McIntyre to put Muff 1-13 to 0-14 ahead.

Buncrana had a chance of a goal from the penalty spot after Caolan McGonagle powered through the centre, bursting past half the Muff team before finally being felled in the big square.

Dylan Mulholland took the penalty, but blazed his shot high above McKane’s crossbar – it was a big let off for Muff.

Oisin Crawford drew Buncrana level shortly after and when Kevin Lynch (Muff) and Peter McLaughlin (Buncrana) were brought on for their first championship appearances of the season the stage was set for a big finale.

McGonagle struck an attempt at a two point free wide at one end before Toye landed one from near the sideline to restore Muff’s two point lead.

Caolan McColgan, who was well marshalled by Sean Doherty in the second half, saw a goal bound shot saved by Adam Harrigan, and play switched down to the other end where Kevin Jordan pointed to leave the minimum between the teams.

Buncrana had chances for two pointers from John Campbell from a free and Bill McLaughlin from play, but both were off target, as was Oisin Crawford from inside the arc, and when Jason McCallion pointed for Muff in the fourth minute of injury time their lead was back to two.

Caolan McGonagle had one last chance to salvage a draw from a two point free just beyond the arc, but his tired looking shot fell short and Muff cleared their lines and claimed a famous win.

Last year’s Junior champions are thriving in the Intermediate grade and results like that on Sunday has them daring to dream of going back to back.

A draw in Fanad might be enough for Buncrana to advance to the last eight depending on results elsewhere, but a win would make certain of progression.

Buncrana scorers: Caolan McGonagle 0-7 (one 2 pt, two 2pt frees); Dylan Mulholland 0-3 (0-1, penalty); William McLaughlin 0-1; Ryan Bradley 0-1; Andrew Davison 0-1; Billy Duffy 0-1; Michael Bernard McLaughlin 0-1; Oisin Crawford 0-1; Kevin Jordan 0-1

Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin scorers: Jonathan Toye 1-4 (one 2pt free, 2f); Caolan McColgan 0-5 (one 2pt); Diarmuid McKane 0-3 (one 2pt free and a 45); Paddy Hirrell 0-1; Eunan Mullan 0-1; Cormac McColgan 0-1; Jason McCallion 0-1

Buncrana: Adam Harrigan; Cathal McNutt, Darragh Corry, JP McKenna; Andrew Davison, Sean Doherty, William McLaughlin; Oisin Crawford, Caolan McGonagle; Billy Duffy, Sean McLaughlin, Michael Gallagher; Ryan Bradley, John Campbell, Dylan Mulholland. Subs: Michael Bernard McLaughlin and Kevin Jordan for R Bradley and S McLaughlin (both half time); Peter McLaughlin for B Duffy (52 mins).

Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin: Diarmuid McKane; Michael McCarron, Caolan Harkin, Darragh McIntyre; Oisin McIntyre, Cormac Kelly, Jason McCallion; Eunan Mullan, Cormac McColgan; Patrick Hirrell, Jonny Toye, Caolan McColgan; Cillian Doyle, Drew McKinney, Jamie McCauley. Subs: Jamie McColgan for J McCauley (43 mins); Kevin Lynch for P Hirrell (51 mins); Dermot Keaveney for C Doyle (54 mins).

Referee: James Connors (St Eunan’s)