St Naul’s get first win after titanic struggle with Downings

St Naul’s got a confidence boosting win in the final round of games at a windswept Gerard Gallagher Memorial Park, Mountcharles on Saturday evening, overcoming Downings in the final 10 minutes.

The sides were level on seven occasions before St Naul’s pulled three clear with five minutes left thanks to a magnificent 50m free from Gavin Mulreany. It put them 0-17 to 0-14 in front and despite Paddy McElwee finding the target twice in the final minutes from frees, the home side held on. And while the win was not enough to avoid the relegation play-offs, it will give them confidence going into them.

Downings, with the aid of other results, will contest the preliminary quarter-finals next weekend, thanks to score difference.

The strong wind meant it was going to be a game of two halves, but as it turned out both sides did well with and against the wind.

Downings started really well with an Oisin Boyce two pointer and Paddy McElwee thought he had another only for it to be touched by Gavin Mulreany going over.

St Naul’s hit back with Stuart Johnston pointing and Gavin Mulreany coming up to fire over a two pointer free.

Johnny McGroddy pushed Downings ahead and then hit another two pointer to open the gap to three but points from Thomas White, Barry and Stephen Griffin had the sides level again on 20 minutes.

Ronan Pasoma and Stuart Johnston traded points before Paddy McElwee and Johnny McGroddy (free) sent Downings to the dressing rooms two points ahead, 0-9 to 0-7.

The sides were level again five minutes into the new half when Joe Campbell lofted a two pointer. Paddy McElwee responded with a free but  Campbell levelled again for the home side.

Johnny McGroddy had a great two pointer against the wind but Declan Duignan cancelled that with one of his own. McElwee pushed Downings ahead on 44 minutes before Gavin Mulreany with a two point free sent Naul’s to the front for the first time on 46 minutes - 0-14 to 0-13.

Allen Pasoma came forward to fist Downings level but it was then that St Naul’s struck for home with Peadar Mogan pointing a free before Mulreany third two pointer pushed them three clear and they held on.

The game was well contested with Brendan McCole doing a good job in restricting Downings’ dangerman Johnny McGroddy. The Rosguill Peninsula team were without their Meath midfielder Cian McBride while St Naul’s were minus Kyle Campbell, who suffered an ACL injury late in their last game against St Eunan’s.

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Downings scorers: Paddy McElwee 0-6,4f; Johnny McGroddy 0-5,2tp,1f; Oisin Boyce 0-2,tp; Gary Ban McClafferty 0-1; Allen Pasoma, Ronan Pasoma 0-1 each

St Naul’s scorers: Gavin Mulreany 0-6,3tpf; Joe Campbell 0-3,1tp; Stuart Johnston 0-2; Declan Duignan 0-2,tp; Thomas White, Stephen Griffin (f), Peadar Mogan (f), Barry Griffin 0-1 each.

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

Sub: Danny McDyre for L McBrearty.

Downings: Jordan Nugent; Alex Gerwatowski, Tiarnan McBride, Padraig McGinty; Allen Pasoma, Ronan Gallagher, Paidin Shields; Oisin Boyce, Paul McGroddy; Ronan Pasoma, Johnny McGroddy, Danny McBride; Gary Ban McClafferty, Paddy McElwee, Conor Boyce.

Sub: Shea Coyle for G Ban McClafferty

Referee: Kevin McGinley (Naomh Columba)