Impressive Letterkenny Gaels too good for St Naul's in MFC Division 3 decider

Letterkenny Gaels claimed the U-18 Division 3 title with a commanding win over St Naul’s at the GAA Centre in Convoy.

Two goals, one in each half gave the Gaels a strong platform and they pushed on after the break to outscore their opponents by 1-7 to 0-3.

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Midfielders Cathal Doherty and Callum McGilloway played key roles for the winners. Doherty scored both goals, while McGilloway finished with 0-11, including three two-pointers.

For St Naul’s, Jack Bennett found the net with a fine solo effort in the 14th minute, but missed chances proved costly for the Mountcharles outfit. 

They hit six wides and dropped another effort short before Doherty’s lobbed goal put the Gaels ahead 1-8 to 1-4 at half-time.

The opening stages were evenly matched, with McGilloway pointing early and Jamie Ward replying for St Naul’s. Bennett then broke through for his goal to give his side a brief lead at 1-1 to 0-2.

Points from McGilloway, John McGroarty, and Ward kept things tight before Doherty’s goal and further scores from McGilloway and Michael Sweeney put Letterkenny Gaels in control at the break.

In the second half, McGilloway continued to find the target with a two-pointer and a free. Christian Ward scored St Naul’s first point of the half, but Doherty’s second goal ended any hopes of a comeback, making it 2-13 to 1-5.

Both sides added points late on, with Doherty and McGilloway on target for the Gaels and substitute Brendan Coughlan scoring for St Naul’s.

Letterkenny Gaels scorers:  Callum McGilloway 0-11, 3f, 3tp, Cathal Doherty 2-2, Ronan Cullen and Michael Sweeney 0-1 each.

St Naul’s scorers: Jamie Ward 0-3, Jack Bennett 1-0, John McGroarty and Christian Ward 0-1 each.

Letterkenny Gaels: Cormac Crossan; Luke Patterson, Dylan Singaroyan, Luan Lynch; Marc Nichols, Ronan Cullen, Ryan Buckley; Cathal Doherty, Callum McGilloway; Lochlainn Lafferty, Rory Halpin, Paul Speer; Michael Sweeney, Jack Murphy, Sam O’Donnell.

Subs: Darragh Doherty for O’Donnell (53), Conal Diver for Lafferty (56), Liam McGarvey for Murphy (59).

St Naul’s: Thomas Donaghue; Adam Campbell, Owen Kennedy, Jamie Sheeran; John McGroarty, Patrick Gallagher, Hugh Tierney; Christian Ward, Jack McLeod; Dara Cunnea, Jack Bennett, Cian McMahon; Jamie Ward, Patrick Craig, Darragh Reilly.

Subs: Brendan Coughlan for Cunnea (37), Gavin Doherty for Tierney (43), Jack Hannigan for Campbell (53).

Referee: Stephen Doherty (Red Hughs).