Carndonagh hurlers take a second league win away to Aodh Ruadh

Fr Tierney Park found itself in a ray of sunshine for the third round clash in the Donegal Hurling League on Friday night, but it was visitors Carndonagh who came away with the win.

Compared to the previous weeks, this allowed the game to play in a free-flowing way and played to more of a spectacle than the opening two weekends.

Aodh Ruadh, playing with the elements in the first half, would find themselves rueing many missed chances and frees in a half where they would not score from play.

A number of mistimed tackles and silly errors from the visitors led to Aaron Cullen notching 0-6 from frees in the first half.

James Monagle and Darragh McCormick led the charge for the Inishowen men early doors, taking Carndonagh's tally to 0-5 for the opening half.

Johnny Lin, along with midfield partner Lennon Canny, were excellent on the breaking ball, securing most of the deluge of possession that Aodh Ruadh had in the opening half, and as previously mentioned would go on to rue.

Carndonagh started the second half on fire, taking the first score straight from the throw-in. And, following that score from the puck out, James Monagle went through from centre half back.

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And although fouled, he continued on with his advantage and slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net, leaving his side three points ahead.

Subs Ryan Noone and Altan McDermott gave Carndonagh a bit more energy in the second half, linking up for scores and competing well at the breaking ball.

Midway through the second half, Carndonagh were six points ahead, but two frees from Ballyshannon once again got them within four points.

But some fine scores from Carndonagh, especially that from dangerous full forward Daire Tully, had them in a comfortable position. A late consolation goal, once again from Aaron Cullen, taking his tally to 1-9, was too little too late as the visitors posted back-to-back wins, taking them to third in the league with a visit from St Eunan’s to Foden next Friday to look forward to.

Aodh Ruadh Scorers: Aaron Cullen 1-9,7f.

Carndonagh Scorers: James Monagle 1-3; Darragh McCormick 0-6; Daire Tully 0-2; Danny Monagle 0-2; Altan McDermott 0-1.

Aodh Ruadh: Kenzie Ayres; Killian Bradshaw, Daire McDevitt, Rory Cullen; Calumn Ayres, Ciaran Rami, Tommy Clyne; Lennon Canny, Johnny Lin; Martin Larkin, Adam Rami, Jake Foley; Aaron Peach, Aaron Cullen, Cian McDonald.

Carndonagh: Stephen Burns; Eoghan Doherty, Padraig Doherty, Ryan Davenport; Shaun McCreanor, Danny Monagle, Oran Lafferty; Fergal Diver Hall, Michael McCarron; Conor McCloskey, Darragh McCormick, James Monagle; Liam Doherty, Daire Tully, Daithi Clerkin. Subs: Ryan Noone for Liam Doherty, Altan McDermott for Daithi Clerkin, Phillip Doherty for Conor McCloskey.

Referee: James Connors (St Eunan’s)