Killybegs do just enough to see off Naomh Muire in tough Under 21C opener

Killybegs got off to a winning start in the Under-21 C Championship with a one point win over Naomh Muire in Eamon Byrne Memorial Park.

The Fishermen were behind for more than three quarters of this game as Charlie Gallagher and Odhran Kavanagh hit goals for the visitors, while three Ryan Gallagher points had the men from the Banks 2-3 to 0-6 ahead at the break.

But with Eoin Mulligan and a Ben Conneely two pointer, they levelled the game up with ten to play before going ahead.

Two Gavin Doherty frees were decisive in this game, the final one coming in added time to take the narrowest of wins but a good start for the hosts.

After losing out in the final to St Naul’s last year, the hosts were hopeful of getting off to a good start, and while Mulligan hit an early point, Naomh Muire hit the net on six minutes as Cathal Fee picked up the loose ball and found Charlie Gallagher, who curled the ball past Elliot Byrne into the top corner.

Ryan Gallagher then hit a fine two pointer from a central position, while Edward McHugh responded at the other end from just inside the arc.

Oisin Boyle had a contentious effort waved wide, while Ryan Gallagher kicked a free at the other end for a four point lead.

It was quickly halved as Killybegs turned over the ball and JP McGuinness pointed, with Gavin Doherty kicking over soon after as the hosts won the kick out.

But the Lower Rosses men hit the net again when Ryan Gallagher found Odhran Kavanagh out on the right and he turned in, burned his man for pace, and put his foot through the ball into that same top right corner.

Mulligan responded with a free and as Doherty found Daithi Burke advancing on the right, his shot cannoned off the crossbar and went wide.

Doherty pointed a minute after, and another great pass from him to find McHugh almost ended in a goal but Martin Gallagher made a good save, with the ‘45 going wide from Elliot Byrne, a ninth Killybegs wide of the half compared to two as they trailed by 2-3 to 0-6.

The visitors could have went further ahead after the restart with two goal chances, first as Shaun Gallagher was played in on the left and tried to sneak the ball under Byrne but he got down well to save, while a Ryan Gallagher ball into Cian McDevitt was pushed towards goal by the midfielder, but he couldn’t get the power on it.

Andrew Mullin fired over after a quick free and a Mulligan point reduced the deficit to a point, but Ryan Gallagher’s ‘45 sailed over at the other end.

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Mullin then had a shot at goal from a tight angle that went wide, while Ryan Gallagher’s turn and shot looked to beat Byrne but it came back off the crossbar.

Joseph McGrory pointed from a tight angle out on the right, but another ‘45 from the impressive Gallagher kept his side ahead, until Ben Conneely kicked a massive two pointer to tie the game with ten to play.

A Doherty free put the Fishermen back ahead for the first time since the sixth minute, but Corrthaigh Doherty levelled the game once again.

But into added time, Gavin Doherty’s free went over after Ethan Byrne Doherty was fouled and Killybegs pressed well, preventing their opponents from getting a final shot off in the three minutes that were added to hold on for the one point win.

Killybegs scorers: Gavin Doherty 0-4,2f; Eoin Mulligan 0-3,1f; Ben Conneely 0-2,1tp; Edward McHugh, JP McGuinness, Andrew Mullin and Joseph McGrory 0-1 each

Naomh Muire scorers: Ryan Gallagher 0-5,1tp,2’45,1f; Charlie Gallagher and Cian McDevitt 1-0 each; Corrthaigh Doherty 0-1.

Killybegs: Elliot Byrne; Adam O’Neill, Michael Cunningham, Oisin Boyle; Daithi Burke, Ben Conneely, Joseph McGrory; Ethan Byrne Doherty, Edward McHugh; Eoin Mulligan, Gavin Doherty, Jack Moore; JP McGuinness, Andrew Mullin, Eamon Curran.

Subs: Martin Heraty, Cillian McHugh and Daire Brennan for Burke, Mulligan and McGuinness (45), Conor McHugh and Matthew O’Donnell for Mullin and O’Neil (58)

Naomh Muire, Íochtar Na Rosann: Martin Gallagher; Piarais McBride, Corrthaigh Doherty, Owen Martin McGee; Odhran Kavanagh, Darragh Doherty, Joseph Rodgers; Cian McDevitt, Charlie Gallagher; Seosamh Doohan, Aidan Boyle, Ryan Gallagher; Shaun Gallagher, Cathal Fee, Odhran Boyle.

Subs: Mark Bonner for Kavanagh (ht), Declan Boyle for O Boyle (56)

Referee: Connie Doherty (Naomh Conaill)