Naomh Conaill rise from the dead once more to take 8th county title

Seven points down at half-time, the men from Davy Brennan Park once again showed their great powers of recovery to lift the Dr Maguire Cup in O’Donnell Park after extra-time. We should know by now that this is what this team do. They are a credit to their parish.

Finnbarr Roarty, Max Campbell and Shea Malone, the young lads on the Naomh Conaill team, led the way with Campbell’s goal in extra-time the score that put them on their way. Malone's two pointer in the dying embers of normal time gave them extra-time.

For three of the team, Brendan McDyer, Anthony Thompson and Leo McLoone, it was their 8th medal from 13 county finals - what a record.

There willl be regret in Gaoth Dobhair as they had two great chances to close out the game at the very end of normal time, but it just seemed destiny was on the side of Naomh Conaill.

Gaoth Dobhair took little time to settle and were helped on their way by a Naomh Conaill breach for Ethan Harkin to point.

Eamonn Collum quickly added another  while Finnbarr Roarty had Naomh Conaill’s opening point.

The sides were level at 0-4 each after 12 minutes with veteran Brendan McDyer keeping Naomh Conaill in the contest with a brace. Gaoth Dobhair were winning the midfield battle and Stephen McFadden edged them ahead before the big moment of the opening half.

Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride powered through to find Fionnan Coyle and when he went for goal Anthony Thompson was penalised for a foot block. From the penalty spot Dáire Ó Baoill slotted home.

The confidence in the Gaoth Dobhair side continued to grow with the sublime Odhran Mac Niallais, Stephen McFadden, Eamonn Collum and Micheal Roarty added points before half-time while Naomh Conaill relied on Roarty and McDyer for their only two points in the second quarter.

Half-time: Gaoth Dobhair 1-10, Naomh Conaill 0-6.

Young Gaoth Dobhair goalkeeper Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride pulled off a wonder save to deny Charles McGuinness 30 seconds into new half. They had the ball in the net on 35 minutes but the score was disallowed.

The goal they needed arrived after a sweeping move with Kevin McGettigan finishing after the first effort was blocked. Charles McGuinness had a chance of a two pointer but Kieran Gallagher cut the lead to just two points on 42 minutes.

Gaoth Dobhair went three up after a hotly disputed breach, Ethan Harkin tapping over, Dáire Ó Baoill set up substitute Niall Friel for another a minute later. Odhran Doherty had a great goal chance but blazed wide with eight minutes left.

Naomh Conaill kept fighting and Odhran Doherty hit a two pointer to cut the lead to the minimum. It looked as if Gaoth Dobhair were on their way when Niall Friel pushed them two clear with a minute left. They had a couple of chances to add to their lead and were made to pay when young Shea Malone hit a great two pointer to tie up the game with a minute of the four minutes left. It was enough to take the tie to extra time.

The pace of play began to slow but John O’Malley did get Naomh Conaill ahead for the first time in the contest from a forward mark.

They began to get really on top and were rewarded when young Max Campbell came forward to power home a goal with his left.

Campbell then added another point and after another turnover Charles McGuinness had them six ahead at the end of the first period of extra-time.

Gaoth Dobhair gave everything in the second period with Jordi Gribbion cutting the lead and Ethan Harkin added another. Finnbarr Roarty, a star for the winners, replied but Ethan Harkin did his best to get Gaoth Dobhair back on terms with a brace of two pointers.

In between Naomh Conaill captain John O’Malley found the range and that point proved vital.

Gaoth Dobhair scorers: Ethan Harkin 0-8,2tp;1fmark,2f; Dáire Ó Baoill 1-0,pen; Stephen McFadden, Micheal Roarty, Eamonn Collum, Niall Friel 0-2 each; Fionnan Coyle, Odhran Mac Niallais, Jordi Gribbin 0-1 each.

Naomh Conaill scorers:  Max Campbell 1-1; Kevin McGettigan 1-0; Shea Malone 0-3,1tp; Brendan McDyer 0-3; Finnbarr Roarty 0-3; Odhran Doherty 0-2,tp; John O’Malley (2fmark) 0-3;  Kieran Gallagher, Leo McLoone, Charles McGuinness 0-1 each.

Gaoth Dobhair: Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride; Neasan Mac Giolla Bhride, Gary McFadden, Eamonn Mac Giolla Bhride; Fiachra Coyle, Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride, Ethan Harkin; Stephen McFadden, Adam Mac Iomhair; Fionnan Coyle, Dáire Ó Baoill, Micheal Roarty; Eoin De Burca, Odhrán Mac Niallais, Eamonn Collum.

Subs: Niall Friel for F Coyle (41); Cathal Gillespie for De Burca (49); Aodhan Breathnach for Mac Iomhair (55); Neil McGee for Eamonn Mac Giolla Bhride (55); Seaghan Ferry for S McFadden (59).

Extra-time: Cathal Rua Gallagher Fiachra Coyle; Fionnan Coyle for C Gillespie; Jordi Gribbin for F Coyle (69);  Peter McGee for S Ferry (70); Seamus Corcoran for Malone (80)

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

Subs: Eoghan McGettigan for O’Malley (36); Mark McDevitt for A Thompson (39); Leo McLoone for C McGuinness (45); Dermot Molloy for McDyer (55).

Extra-time: John O’Malley for D Molloy; Charlie McGuinness for Odhran Doherty; Jason Campbell for AJ Gallagher (73); Odhran Doherty for K McGill (76)

Referee: James Connors (St Eunan’s)