Malin edge out Naomh Pádraig in epic extra-time Intermediate quarter-final

Malin are into the Intermediate Championship semi-final for the third year running after a pulsating extra-time victory over Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin at the Scarvey on Saturday night.

Trailing by three at the interval, Malin cranked up the intensity after the restart and back-to-back two-pointers from Sean O’Neill helped them carve out a four-point cushion heading into the closing stages.

Naomh Pádraig, though, simply refused to wilt. Goalkeeper Diarmuid McKane strode forward to nail a two-point free and a ’45, before Kevin Lynch showed nerves of steel to land a 30-metre free that dragged the game level at 1-18 apiece and sent the quarter-final to extra-time.

Caolan McColgan, Muff’s driving force throughout, opened the scoring in extra-time with a two-pointer, but Malin struck hammer blows through Finn Ward and Josh Conlon, who both found the net to establish a five-point lead. By then, cramp was setting in and bodies were flagging, but Malin managed the contest superbly, protecting the advantage until the final whistle.

For manager Paul Gallagher, it was a magnificent victory, particularly given the substantial turnover in personnel since last year’s semi-final defeat. Naomh Pádraig, for their part, left everything on the Scarvey turf, and the huge crowd were treated to a contest brimming with commitment, courage and no shortage of quality.

While Naomh Pádraig will be crestfallen to bow out of the championship, they demonstrated the resilience and belief that has underpinned their rise under Daniel McCauley’s watch, and can take enormous credit for their display.

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The sides had drawn when they met in the group stage four weeks ago, with Muff racing into a seven-point lead on that occasion. Malin, well warned, began far stronger this time, with Paul McLaughlin, captain Christy McLaughlin and Josh Conlon all on target in the opening quarter.

Sean Byrne had earlier been denied a penalty, but when Conlon played him through on 18 minutes, he coolly slotted past the keeper for the game’s opening goal. Oisin McGonagle added a point to move Malin four clear.

The momentum shifted, however, when goalkeeper Jonny Toye was pushed outfield. He proved pivotal as Naomh Pádraig rattled off 1-5 without reply. McColgan launched the run with a booming two-pointer and finished it with a neat score, while Kevin Lynch struck 1-1 and Michael McCarron also chipped in.

They might have been further ahead but for a late turnover that allowed Christy McLaughlin to drive forward and cut the deficit before the break. Half-time: Naomh Pádraig 1-9, Malin 1-6.


Malin's Sean Byrne is held up and overcarrys under pressure from Michael McCarron and Cormac Kelly

Malin regrouped well. Two two-pointers - one from Christy McLaughlin, initially waved wide before referee Anthony McCallig intervened, and another from Ciaran O’Kane - restored their lead.
Even after Daniel Green was black-carded for a trip, Malin used their experience to control possession. Muff, with the extra man, could not capitalise, but it might have been different had it not been for a superb fingertip save from Daniel Mullarkey that denied Eunan Mullan’s goal-bound shot.
When Green returned, Malin led 1-14 to 1-11. Muff hit back with three on the spin through the McColgan cousins and a Lynch free, drawing level as the game entered the closing stages.
Sean O’Neill, excellent throughout the second half, then landed two towering two-pointers that seemed to settle the tie- only for McKane and Lynch to haul Muff level once again with four points from placed-balls forcing extra-time.
There, Malin’s eye for goal proved decisive, with Ward and Conlon delivering the killer blows to seal passage into the last four.

Malin scorers: Josh Conlon 1-4 (one 2 pt free); Christopher McLaughlin 0-6 (one 2pt); Sean O'Neill 0-6 (two 2pts); Finn Ward 1-0; Sean Byrne 1-0; Oisin McGonagle 0-2; Ciaran O'Kane 0-2 (one 2pt); Darragh Douglas 0-1; Paul McLaughlin 0-1

Naomh Pádraig scorers: Kevin Lynch 1-5 (0-1f); Caolan McColgan 0-7 (two 2pt); Jonny Toye 0-3 (one 2pt); Diarmuid McKane 0-3 (one 2ptf, 1f); Eunan Mullan 0-2; Cormac McColgan 0-1; Jamie McCauley 0-1; Michael McCarron 0-1

Malin: Daniel Mullarkey; Gary Farren, Ciaran Doherty, Daniel Green; Sean Byrne, Oisin McGonagle, Mac McLaughlin; Christy McLaughlin, Ciaran O'Kane; Sean O'Neill, Josh Conlon, Darragh Douglas; Paul McLaughlin, Seamus Houghton, Taylor Bonner. Subs used: Finn Ward, Cormac Cullinan, Euan McFeely; Ryan McGeoghegan.

Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin: Diarmuid McKane; Michael McCarron, Drew McKinney, Darragh McIntyre; Oisin McIntyre, Cormac Kelly, Jason McCallion; Eunan Mullan, Cormac McColgan; Ronan Hoy, Jonny Toye, Caolan McColgan; Jamie McCauley, Kevin Lynch, Cillian Doyle. Subs used: Andrew McCarron, Jamie McColgan, Dermot Keaveney, Shane McColgan.

Referee: Anthony McCallig (Naomh Ultan)