Aodh Ruadh come good to relegate St Naul's to the Intermediate championship

Aodh Ruadh produced the goods when it really matters with an emphatic 12-point win over St Naul’s in the Donegal SFC relegation play-off decider at Tir Chonaill Park.

It was a most complete performance from the victors, who made light of the loss of key player Nathan Boyle to injury after just 23 minutes.

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Outgunned St Naul’s were struggling in all departments and will now be playing Intermediate championship football next season.

But Ballyshannon had stars all over the field with Jonny Gethins leading from the back where young Shane Delahunty was outstanding.

A commanding midfield pairing of Eamon McGrath and Matt Gillespie won that battle while Shane McGrath and Diarmaid McInerney were on form up front.

St Naul’s relied mainly on Peadar Mogan and Stephen Griffin for inspiration but they were always chasing the game, rushing many of their shots, resulting in 11 wides over the hour to Aodh Ruadh’s tally of just one.

Aodh Ruadh had a whirlwind start with a fine point from McGrath, which was cancelled by a point from Barry Burke before keeper Peter Boyle arced over a fine two-pointer free.

And it got even better in the third minute when Damien Weber finished a fine move to the Naul’s net and Eoghan Kelly tagged on a point to put Aodh Ruadh into a 1-4 to 0-1 lead.

They could have had another goal when they unlocked the Naul’s defence with Diarmaid McInerney bearing down on goal.

He could have gone for his own shot, but elected to punch across the square to David Dolan whose flicked effort was superbly saved by Naul’s keeper Gavin Mulreaney for a 45, which Boyle coolly converted.

Mogan got a badly needed second point for Naul’s, who went on to hit 1-3 without reply as two snappy points from Mogan left the score at 1-5 to O-4.

But a lightning Naul’s move involving Thomas White ended with Michael Coughlan finding the Aodh Ruadh net to bring it back to a one-point game in the 17th minute.

However, a perceptive pass from Nathan Boyle to Matt Gillespie ended with the latter curling over a fine but vital point for the victors.

Eamon McGrath was fouled and McInerney converted the free as the break beckoned. Gillespie added another point.

Stephen Griffin twice and the lively Delahunty then swapped scores to leave Aodh Ruadh leading by 1-9 to 1-6 at the break.

Naul’s would have needed a good start on the resumption; instead, it was Aodh Ruadh who powered clear. Delahunty opened the scoring after a searing run but Mulreaney replied with a well-struck ’45.

But the Mountcharles men could only manage one more point in a most disappointing second half for them.

Matt Gillespie made it a four-point game before Aodh Ruadh rallied when David Dolan rammed the ball low and hard to the Naul’s net.

Dolan’s goal put Aodh Ruadh into a 2-11 to 1-7 lead and already, there was no way back for Naul’s who continued to shoot some hasty wides.

McInerney and sub Dara Dolan made it 2-14 to 1-7 as this contest was already well over.

Barry Burke had their final score as Aodh Ruadh eased home with further points from McInerney, Dara Dolan and Delahunty to seal a fine victory.

Aodh Ruadh scorers: Diarmaid McInerney 0-3,2f; Shane Delahunty 0-3; Matt Gillespie 0-3; David Dolan 1-0; Damien Weber 1-0; Peter Boyle 0-3,1tp; Shane McGrath 0-2; Eoghan Kelly 0-2. Dara Dolan 0-1.

St Naul’s scorers: Peadar Mogan 0-4, 2f; Michael Coughlan 1-; Stephen Griffin 0-2,1f; Barry Burke 0-2.

Aodh Ruadh: Peter Boyle; Kyle Murray, Conor Patton, Eoghan Kelly; Eddie Lynch, Jonny Gethins, Shane Delahunty; Eamon McGrath, Matt Gillespie; Nathan Boyle, Shane McGrath, Damien Weber; Diarmaid McIneney, David Dolan, Jack Gallagher. 

Subs: Dara Dolan for Nathan Boyle (22), Eoghan Cassidy for David Dolan (47), Colm McGloin for Jonny Gethins (54), Niall Murray for Damien Weber (58), Cian Dolan for Jack Gallagher (60+1).

St Naul’s: Gavin Mulreaney; Niall Prendeville, Brendan McCole, John Rose; Martin Breslin, Ian Campbell, Thomas White; Lee McBrearty, Barry Griffin; Joe Campbell, Peadar Mogan, Michael Coughlan; Barry Burke, Stephen Griffin, Declan Duignan. 

Sub: Ryan Coughlan for Barry Burke (47).

Referee: Pat Barrett (Milford).