Naomh Conaill see off Killybegs scare to advance to SFC quarter-finals

Naomh Conaill had a scare but dominated from the 25th minute on to reach the Donegal SFC quarter-finals in an entertaining contest against Killybegs in Pearse Memorial Park.

The Fishermen went five clear inside five thanks to a fortunate Jack McSharry goal, but a Shea Malone free helped Naomh Conaill get level on 15 minutes.

Killybegs hit the lead again thanks to a Rory Colyer goal, but Martin Regan’s men hit the final 1-5 of the half with another Malone goal to lead 2-9 to 2-4 at the break.

And they continued to build on that lead with Brendan McDyer in good form, as Kevin McGettigan hit a third goal with seven minutes to go to ensure the win.

Killybegs had a ferocious start and pinned their opponents in for the first five minutes and Odhran McGuinness got the first score from a central position.

They had two wides after that straight away as they won the kick out and both were poor, first from Ryan Cunningham and then a goal chance as McGuinness dragged his shot wide.

Hugh McFadden got a first score from a free and his presence was huge in the opening goal as again Killybegs won the kickout and Jack McSharry played it into the full forward, and while neither he nor Jason Campbell got a touch, the bounce was enough to take it over Stephen McGrat,h who could only get a slight touch as it hit the net.

But Naomh Conaill got to grips with the game after this and Brendan McDyer’s free got them off the mark before another free from Eoghan McGettigan five minutes later.

They levelled the game on 15 minutes after a good move as Ethan O’Donnell won the kick out and they went forward down the left, Anthony Thompson getting space and rounding the goalkeeper, but passing off to Malone who struck low to the bottom right.

Kieran Gallagher almost hit the net with a low shot that Josh Colyer saved, but two Odhran Doherty points on either foot got them ahead on 20 minutes.

It didn’t last long however, as McFadden again did well under pressure of three men to find an unmarked Rory Colyer who did get tackled by Anthony Thompson, but he fired the ball off the ground into the bottom corner.

McFadden did well again for the next two points, laying it off for Charlie Breslin to kick over before firing over a close range free, but that was as good as it got in the first half for Pauric Bonner’s men as Naomh Conaill hit the next 1-5.

It was Malone again who popped up to punch in as John O’Malley’s shot was dropping short and he punched in ahead of Colyer.

Doherty and Kevin McGettigan added points before a sweeping counter attack saw Eoghan McGettigan kick over.

And two final points from McDyer as Naomh Conaill punished Killybegs losing possession left it at 2-9 to 2-4 at the break.

Evan Broderick kicked the score of the game after the restart, a laces effort from outside of the arc, while McDyer responded at the other end with a free.

O’Malley then hit a two pointer, with a McFadden free at the other end but Martin Regan’s side finished strong.

Finnbarr Roarty and McDyer hit scores and Kevin McGettigan ran in from the left and buried the ball in at the near post.

Both sides came close to hitting the net, Eoghan McGettigan having one cleared off the line while McFadden punched wide as a high ball was dropped in.

Odhran McGuinness and a McFadden free took the score down from double digits, but Ethan O’Donnell added one late on, with a McFadden free ending the scoring as Naomh Conaill advanced.

Naomh Conaill scorers: Shea Malone 2-0; Brendan McDyer 0-5,2f; Kevin McGettigan 1-1; Odhran Doherty 0-3; John O’Malley 0-2,tp; Eoghan McGettigan 0-2,1f; Finnbarr Roarty and Ethan O’Donnell 0-1 each.

Killybegs scorers: Hugh McFadden 0-5f; Jack McSharry and Rory Colyer 1-0 each; Evan Broderick 0-2,tp; Odhran McGuinness 0-2; Charlie Breslin 0-1.

Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Ultan Doherty, AJ Gallagher, Jason Campbell; Kevin McGettigan, Anthony Thompson, Finnbarr Roarty; Kieran Gallagher, Ethan O’Donnell; Brendan McDyer, John O’Malley, Odhran Doherty; Shea Malone, Charles McGuinness, Eoghan McGettigan.

Subs: Leo McLoone for McGuinness (47), Max Campbell for McDyer (52), Dermot Molloy for E McGettigan (58), Mark McDevitt for Thompson (59), Daniel Gildea for O’Malley (60)

Killybegs: Josh Colyer; Ben Conneely, Cillian Gildea, Niall Carberry; Edward McHugh, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Charlie Breslin; Evan Broderick, Seamus Óg Byrne; Rory Colyer, Jack McSharry, Odhran McGuinness, Ryan Cunningham, Hugh McFadden, Christopher Mulligan.

Referee: Ryan Walsh (Realt Na Mara)