Naomh Pádraig dare to dream of Intermediate success after derby win over Buncrana

Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin’s fairytale rise shows no signs of slowing. Just 12 months after conquering Donegal and Ulster at Junior level, Muff are now daring to dream of going all the way in the Intermediate Football Championship.

Their 1-16 to 0-17 derby victory over Buncrana at the Scarvey on Sunday wasn’t just another two points - it was a statement that this young, ambitious team belongs at this grade and fully believes it can challenge for the title.

The win, secured with a game to spare, guarantees them a place in the quarter-finals of the Michael Murphy Sports Intermediate Football Championship.

For a team that made history in January by becoming the first Donegal club to reach an All-Ireland club final at Croke Park, the progress has been extraordinary. Rather than easing themselves in, they’ve embraced the higher standard: defeating Bundoran and Buncrana away from home and drawing with Malin at home in  Ture.

Sunday’s victory summed up their approach - fearless, resilient, and full of belief. Trailing at half time, Muff came roaring back in the second half, outlasting Buncrana with a mix of fitness, spirit and sheer determination.

Manager Dan McCauley was beaming with pride afterwards.

“For a young group, they showed great character, and they've shown it all through the championship,” he said. “They just never think they're beaten and they always find a way to win. We trust our fitness levels to stay in the game into the last 15 minutes. We trust our process and our team shape. We trust each other, and we're just delighted.”

The turning point came midway through the second half. Captain Jonny Toye, hampered by a knee injury that confined him to full forward, rifled the only goal of the game into the net and who landed a massive two point free from near the sideline. Those scores shifted momentum decisively Muff’s way and underlined the leadership qualities of the captain who refuses to let injury dull his influence.

“Jonny played a real captain's role in the second half,” McCauley said. “He really stood up and was counted.”

County senior Caolan McColgan also lit up the contest, hitting five points in the first half, including one outrageous effort from the right wing without even glancing at the posts.

“Caolan was lethal for us,” McCauley said. “That last point he hit in the first half, without even looking at the posts. You'd nearly think he's been playing as an inside forward for Donegal a few weeks ago in the All-Ireland final instead of starting at corner back. He’s a great young fella and will play anywhere he's needed for us.”

Around them, Muff’s lesser-heralded players did their share too - especially in the middle third, where their appetite for breaking ball laid the foundations for a rousing finish and while Buncrana had chances to draw level, no one could argue that Muff didn't deserve their win.

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With five league points and a place in the quarter-finals already secured, Muff can now look ahead to their final group game against Burt with freedom. McCauley plans to use the fortnight’s break to freshen up bodies and reintegrate players carrying knocks.

“We need the two week break. We've a few tired bodies and players carrying niggles. We'll get a few weeks training into Kevin Lynch. He only got the protective boot off his foot on Monday, but that’s the mentality he has – he just wants to play football.”

And when it comes to their ultimate ambition, McCauley makes no bones about it.

“Why can't we go the whole way?” he asked. “When you enter the competition, you have to enter with the mindset that you can win it. There's no point being in it if you don't think you can win it. You may not win it – you may well fail – but you've got to believe you will win. The belief is in them boys at the minute.”

For Naomh Pádraig, belief is everything.

What started as a dream debut season at Intermediate level has become something more tangible - with qualification for the knock out stages achieved, a genuine tilt at the title is coming into view. With Buncrana beaten on their own patch and a quarter-final berth secured, Muff’s journey gathers momentum.

Twelve months ago they were Junior champions. Today, they are contenders and, alongside table toppers Naomh Columba, the form team in the Intermediate championship.

Come October, they just might be champions again.