Carndonagh exactly where they need to be ahead of JFC final - Michael O’Donnell 

Michael O’Donnell is content  to be back in another Donegal Junior A final following Saturday’s hard fought semi-final win over St Mary’s, Convoy, in Hibernian Park, Burt. 

But the Carndonagh boss also admitted there was an element of real relief having survived a storming final quarter rally from Convoy as they came from nine points down at one stage early in the second half to win out 1-14 to 1-11 at the end. 

READ NEXT: Carndonagh back in another JFC final but pushed all the way by Convoy 

“It is great to be back in the final but we are also relieved to have come through after St  Mary’s came at is in the  last quarter,” said O’Donnell at the final whistle. 

“It was really a tough game and it was in the balance right to the very end and we are just happy to have come through to get the win. .

“They had momentum until the last five minutes. But we turned that around and won a few balls in midfield and those are the small moments that really matter in tight games.

“Michael Noone also got a good score after coming on to settle us and to restore a three-point lead”. 

Carndonagh played with the stiff breeze in their favour in the first half and led 0-10 to 0-4 at half-time.

“We felt we had done okay in the first half but had not played as well as we would have liked. We had done okay and a six-point lead is not a bad one in a county semi-final.

“But with St Mary’s having the stiff breeze in their backs and given the new two point rule, they looked to tear into it. 

“We knew we were going to have to work hard in the second half if we were going to win. And that’s exactly how it turned out.” 

While they conceded an early point to an Anthony Browne free on the resumption, a brilliant team goal finished to the net by Conor Donnell extended their upper hand out to eight points.

And the margin was out to nine after Anthony Doherty and Will Quinn traded points with Corey Lee Bogan and Browne.

“St Mary’s battled really hard  and scored their goal and a couple of points to bring them right back into the game. 

“But we finished strong and held on to win. And it’s just nice to be looking forward to another final”.