Carndonagh banish ghosts to defeat St Mary’s, Convoy in Junior B final

A lively Carndonagh firmly banished the blues of last year’s county final defeat to St Mary's, Convoy with a deserved six points win in Saturday’s Junior B final in O’Donnell Park.

Midfielder Odhran O’Donnell was the stand- out star for the winners, delivering a display for the ages that spurred his side to victory.

His pace and power caused Convoy endless problems throughout, and he was well supported by nippy forwards Senan Grant and Callum Kelly.

The crucial score of the match was a freakish goal from Carn sub Darragh McCormick whose shot for a point dipped viciously and hit off the post into the Convoy net to put Carn into a 1-9 to 0-8 lead at a time when Convoy had levelled matters (0-8 apiece) just a few minutes previously.

At half-time, Carndonagh led by 0-8 to 0-3. Carndonagh held on for a well merited lead against a Convoy side whose main tactic seemed to be the high ball into the square which yielded a goal from Rory Craig.

The opening ten minutes were as turgid as one could get with both sides probing but hitting poor wides.

Carn forward Kelly injected a bit of class when he arrowed over a great point after 10 minutes.

Convoy levelled with a pointed free from Daithi Gordon.

O’Donnell scored a brilliant point off the left boot after a great run through the Convoy defence. 

Gordon book-ended a fine move with a great point for Convoy, but midfielder John Callan levelled matters with a fine point as Carndonagh tacked on more points from Grant (2), Devin McLaughlin and Michael McCarron.

Michael Patton replied for Convoy with a great two pointer from play, but Carn led by 0-8 to O-5 at the changeover 

Gordon pointed a free for Convoy and John A Kee hit a two pointer from a free to level the scores.

Carn did respond with a pointed free from midfielder Christy McDaid before McCormick’s goal changed the whole dynamic of the game.

The momentum was firmly with Carn and Kelly and Davin McLaughlin made it 1-11 to 0-8 midway through the second half.

McDaid extended the lead, but moments later a high ball into the Carn square was won by Kee and corner back Rory Craig netted.

However, there was no grandstand finish as Carn kept cool and hit two more late points from McDaid and Kelly to seal a fine victory.

Read next: Carndonagh power past Letterkenny Gaels to win Junior A Football Championship title

Scorers for Carndonagh: Christy McDaid 0-3, 3f; Senan Grant, Callum Kelly 0-3 each; Davin McLaughlin, Odhránn O’Donnell 0-2 each; Darragh McCormick 1-0; Michael McCarron 0-1

Scorers for St Mary's Convoy: Rory Craig 1-0; Daithi Gordon 0-3, 2f; John A Kee, Michael Patton 0-2, 1 pf each; John Callan 0-1.

Carndonagh: Dermot Doherty; Ryan Davenport, Josh Diver, Nathan Melarkey; Conor Fagan, Conor McLaughlin, Cormac McLaughlin; Odhran O’Donnell, Christy McDaid; Darragh McLaughlin, Senan Grant, Michael McCarron; Callum Kelly, Richie Cunningham, Davin McLaughlin. Subs: Daire McLaughlin for Richie Cunningham (14, Darragh McCormick for McCarron (half-time), Mark McLaughlin for Davenport (58), Michael McLaughlin for Fagan (60).

St Mary's Convoy: Dermot Doherty; Donal McDermott, Shaun Browne, Rory Craig, Michael Mulrain, Ciaran McNamee, Fionn Hennigan; John Callan, Darragh Connolly; Daithi Gordon (O-3,2f, John A Kee, Enda Bonner; Cathal Browne, Dannan O’Kane, Michael Patton. Subs: Michael Ayton for John Callan (37, Shay Harkin for Ciaran McNamee (57, Matthew Callan and Darragh Patton for C.Browne and McDermott (57).

Referee: Siobhan Coyle (Gaeil Fhanada).