Glenswilly take narrow win over Naomh Conaill in a thrilling U-21 A opener

Glenswilly got off to a winning start in the Under-21 A Championship with a one point win over neighbours Naomh Conaill in a game full of goals at Páirc Naomh Columba.

Last year’s runners-up were without some of their minors who play Four Masters in the Minor final on Monday, with Shane Tinney, Pauric Devine, Liam McGinley, Paddy Ward and others missing, but they hit the net twice early through Oisin McGrenra and captain Donal Gallagher.

But Naomh Conaill, minus county Under-20 stars Finnbarr Roarty, Mark McDevitt and Jack McGlynn, led at the break by a point thanks to two first half goals from Shea Malone, who missed an early penalty, and Daniel Breslin.

Mark Bonner and Sean Doherty traded goals after the restart, as did Daithi Gildea and Max Campbell, but Gildea and Gary Kelly’s late points made the difference in slippery conditions.

Glenswilly had a perfect start from a neat move as Mark Bonner found Oisin McGrenra, who played a quick 1-2 with Eoghan Scott before firing into the net. 

Naomh Conaill could have had the perfect reply as Danny Brown had half an open net, but Kealan Curran saved, although a penalty was given shortly after for overcarrying. 

Shea Malone stepped up and went low to the right, but his tame effort was saved by Curran. 

Tiernan Ward hit two points shortly after, with Mandy Kelly responding at the other end, but when Daithi Molloy’s shot dropped short to Malone, he cut inside and poked the ball in from close range. 

The hosts had the perfect response with another good move as McGrenra caught the ball and kept it in, finding Conor Kelly who quickly laid it off to Donal Gallagher as he struck the net.

But before the quarter of an hour mark, a fifth goal came as Max Campbell played a pinpoint pass into Daniel Breslin, and he made no mistake, firing across Curran and into the far corner.

Mark Bonner responded quickly to level the game at 2-2 apiece, while Donal Gallagher made a brilliant block to deny Breslin from getting a second goal.

The hosts then had a good spell and hit the next four points, three coming from Daithi Gildea and one from Gary Kelly, just before a great two pointer from Max Campbell as Malone played a ‘45 short to his fellow senior star.

And Naomh Conaill took the lead into the break with a final goal of the half, Ward finding Malone who cut back in and fired low for a 3-4 to 2-6 lead.

A Gildea free levelled things after the restart, and the hosts went ahead after a terrific solo run and shot from midfielder Mark Bonner, but that lasted just two minutes as Campbell’s shot dropped short to Sean Doherty, who again found the net.

Tiernan Brown’s free edged the visitors in front briefly, but Reid Kelly and a fisted point from McGrenra put Neil Gallagher’s charges back in front.

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They had a goal chance through Jamie McCauley saved soon after, but when Gallagher won possession high up and found Gildea, he slotted the ball low into the right corner.

Naomh Conaill raised the ninth green flag, and their fifth with ten minutes left, after a quick counter, as Malone shot for a point which came off the crossbar and fell to Campbell, who fired home.

Darragh Enright was black carded for a pull in the build-up to Campbell's goal, leaving Glenswilly with 14 until added time, and a Thomas McDevitt point levelled things with five to play.

But a Gildea free and a score from Gary Kelly in a central position put Glenswilly back ahead, and while Brown hit a free in added time, time ran out as Glenswilly got off to a winning start.

Glenswilly scorers: Daithi Gildea 1-5,2f; Mark Bonner and Oisin McGrenra 1-1 each; Donal Gallagher 1-0; Gary Kelly 0-2; Mandy Kelly and Gary Kelly 0-1 each. 

Naomh Conaill scorers: Shea Malone 2-0; Max Campbell 1-2,tp; Daniel Breslin and Sean Doherty 1-0 each; Tiernan Ward 0-2; Danny Brown 0-2f; Thomas McDevitt 0-1.

Glenswilly: Kealan Curran; Fynn O’Sullivan, Jamie McCauley, Dylan McAteer; Aiden Friel, Donal Gallagher, Reid Kelly; Mark Bonner, Darragh Enright; Gary Kelly, Eoghan Scott, Mandy Kelly; Conor Kelly, Daithi Gildea, Oisin McGrenra.

Subs: Caolan Scott for O’Sullivan (ht)

Naomh Conaill: Darragh Kennedy; Niall Roarty, Thomas McDevitt, Feargus Campbell; Peter McGlynn, Daithi Molloy, Oran Doherty; Max Campbell, Jamie Byrne; Sean Doherty, Shea Malone, Daniel Breslin; Tiernan Ward, Danny Brown, Stephen McDevitt. 

Subs: Conor Gildea for S Doherty (40), Cian Kelly for Byrne (51)

Referee: Cathal Boland (Ardara)