Carn hit stride in second half to see off Naomh Pádraig in U21B championship

Carndonagh got their U21 football championship campaign off to a winning start with a five-point victory over neighbours Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin in O’Doherty Park on Saturday afternoon.

Carn defended deep in the first half, soaking up Naomh Pádraig pressure and counter-attacking effectively, though they trailed 0-7 to 0-3 at the interval.

However, Carn - managed by Christy McDaid - took control after the restart. County minor captain Kalvin McLaughlin landed two fine two-pointers from play, and quickfire goals from Kyran Cantwell and Daire Tully put them five points clear with a little over ten minutes remaining.

Muff rallied through Peter McLaughlin, Jamie McCauley and Michael McCarron, but Lorcan McGonigle hit three excellent points for the home side, and Senan Grant rounded off the scoring as Carn ran out deserving winners.

Read more: Glenswilly and Naomh Conaill share nine goals in U21A Championship 

Despite playing into the breeze, Carn opened brightly with Kalvin McLaughlin converting a free from the ground before midfielders Michael Noone and Odhran O’Donnell combined for the latter to point.

Muff, aided by the wind, were off target with several efforts before Michael McCarron opened their account with a 45. Jamie McCauley added a close-range free and then a superb two-pointer from wide on the left as Naomh Pádraig began to dominate possession, driven on by Oisín McIntyre at midfield.

Carn responded through Olan McLaughlin, but Cillian Doyle replied for Naomh Pádraig, and it took a late two-pointer from McCarron to give the visitors a 0-7 to 0-3 lead at the break.

 Naomh Pádraig goalkeeper Oisín Quigley had to be sharp early in the second half, racing off his line to deny Michael Noone a goal-scoring chance after an incisive pass from Olan McLaughlin. Moments later, McLaughlin mishit a two-point free attempt following a three-man-up infringement.

McLaughlin  made amends, however, firing over two two-pointers on either side of a Michael Noone score to bring the sides level at 0-8 apiece after 41 minutes. Muff struggled to win their own kickouts, and although McCarron edged them ahead with a free that just cleared the bar after he slipped on contact, Carn seized control.

Two goals in as many minutes proved decisive. First, Noone delivered a long ball into the full-forward line where Kyran Cantwell gathered and rifled to the roof of the net. From the next attack, Daire Tully pounced on a turnover, produced a deft Cruyff turn to make space, and side-footed beyond Quigley to put Carn 2-8 to 0-9 up.

Muff continued to battle, with Peter McLaughlin and McCauley on target, but their running game repeatedly broke down through turnovers and misplaced passes. Carn were clinical on the counter, using the pace of Lorcan McGonigle - regularised to play at U21 level for Carn as Urris have no team - who struck three excellent points to stretch the lead to 2-11 to 0-11.

McCarron (free) and McCauley (from play) narrowed the gap, which may prove important if scoring difference comes into play in deciding the quarter-final places.

Senan Grant hit the final point for Carn, getting on the end of a sweeping move with teammates queuing up on either side of him to get in on the scoring act.

It was an impressive win for Carn, who were resting five U21s ahead of next weekend’s Ulster Junior Club Championship quarter-final against Emyvale in Clones - further evidence of their strength in depth. Beaten U21B semi-finalists last year, they’ll fancy their chances again if they can balance this campaign with their Ulster commitments.

For Muff, it’s two defeats from two, and they’ll need to beat Ardara in their final group game in a fortnight to stay in contention for the quarter-finals.

Carn scorers: Kalvin McLaughlin 0-5 (two 2pt, 1f); Lorcan McGonigle 0-3; Kyran Cantwell 1-0; Daire Tully 1-0; Odhran O’Donnell 0-1; Olan McLaughlin 0-1; Michael Noone 0-1; Senan Grant 0-1.

Naomh Pádraig scorers: Jamie McCauley 0-6 (one 2pt, 1f); Michael McCarron 0-5 (one 2pt, 2f, 1 45); Cillian Doyle 0-1; Peter McLaughlin 0-1.

Carndonagh: Davin McLaughlin; Ronan McLaughlin, Aaron Diver, Senan Grant; Patrick Doherty, Kalvin McLaughlin, Lorcan McGonigle; Michael Noone, Odhran O’Donnell; Callum Kelly, Olan McLaughlin, Cormac McLaughlin; Daire Tully, Kyran Cantwell, Conor McLaughlin. Subs: Jamie Doherty, Donnacha Callaghan, Michael McCarron, Conor McCloskey, Sheagan Doherty, Liam Doherty, Pierce McConalogue.

Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin: Oisín Quigley; Daniel McMenamin, Evan McColgan, Ruairí Crossan; Michael McCarron, Cormac Kelly, Peter McLaughlin; Jamie McCauley, Oisín McIntyre; Andy McCarron, Cillian Doyle, Jason Lynch; Eoin Maguire, Darragh Doherty, Finn McClafferty. Subs: Eamon Doherty, Cormac Doherty, Diarmuid Grant.

Referee: Clint Marron (Urris)