Buncrana score late to draw with MacCumhaills

Sean MacCumhaills and Buncrana played out a gripping encounter in round three of the Donegal Senior Hurling League, with late drama seeing the sides finish level after a thrilling contest.

Sean MacCumhaills made a sharp start, opening the scoring inside the first minute through Ciaran Mathewson, and Dylan Patton doubled their advantage with a point from play on four minutes.

Buncrana responded through their free-taker Caolan O’Neill, before Kevin O’Rourke levelled matters from play.

Patton continued to lead the MacCumhaills attack, converting two frees to restore their lead.

However, Buncrana took control in the second quarter of the half. O’Neill added another free, O’Rourke struck again from play, and further points from Darren Doherty, Peter Grant, and Daniel Deery pushed them ahead.

A late Patton point kept MacCumhaills in touch, but Buncrana led 0-07 to 0-05 at the interval.

Buncrana extended their lead early in the second half with another O’Neill free, but the Twin-Towns side responded well.

Patton converted a free before O’Neill added an excellent point from play.

MacCumhaills then found momentum.

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Sean Brady Devenney and Rory Doherty both struck from play, while Patton continued to be influential with another free and a point from open play to edge his side in front.

The key moment came in the 52nd minute when Anthony Patton fired to the net, giving Sean MacCumhaills a crucial lead.

Buncrana replied with a free from O’Rourke and another from O’Neill to keep the pressure on.

In dramatic closing stages, Buncrana won a sideline ball, which resulted in a 65. From the resulting delivery, the ball broke kindly, and Daniel Deery finished to the net, salvaging a draw for Buncrana in the dying moments.

Sean MacCumhaills scorers: Dylan Patton 0-8,4f; Anthony Patton 1-0; Ciaran Matthewson, Sean Brady Devennney and Rory Doherty 0-1 each.

Buncrana scorers: Caolan O’Neill 0-4f; Daniel Deery 1-1; Kevin O’Rourke 0-3,1f; Peter Grant 0-2; Darren Doherty 0-1.

Sean MacCumhaills: Fionn Mac an Ultaigh; Davitt Bradley Flynn, Aaron Toner, Lorcan Byrne; Patrick McElhinney, Christopher Gallagher, Shay Bradley; Sean Brady Devenney, John Anthony Chambers; Rory Doherty, Dean Hannigan, Pauric Kelly; Dylan Patton, Ciaran Matthewson, Anthony Patton.

Subs used: PJ Browne, Jamie Fallon, David Curran and  Liam Gallen.

Buncrana: Tom Clare; Rory Scott, Kieran McLaughlin, Luke McLaffeerty; Conor Grant, David Carey; Aedan Stokes, Caolan O’Neill; Peter Grant, Kevin O’Rourke, Ruairi Doherty, Ross Doherty; Gavin Deehan, Darren Doherty, Daniel Deery.

Referee: Ciaran O'Neill