McClean strikes late winner as Kilcar pip Naomh Conaill at the post

Division 1 champions Kilcar pipped Donegal SFC holders Naomh Conaill in an absorbing encounter on a summer’s day in Towney. 

Kilcar 0-11 Naomh Conaill 0-10 

Full-forward Matthew McClean was their hero, as he hoisted over the winning score for a very young home side.

Kilcar were full value for their win with a watertight defence and the genius and dancing feet of Eoin McHugh, Brian O’Donnell and McClean all key to this morale boosting victory. Keelan McGill for Naomh Conaill and Stephen McBrearty from a Kilcar free swapped early points as Martin Regan’s team played with the slight breeze which freshened after the break. Kilcar lost Mark McHugh to an early eye injury. 

Brian O’Donnell eased the home side in front and Brendan McDyer levelled matters from a free.  Naomh Conaill were growing into the game and Ultan Doherty put them in the lead only for Eoin McHugh to square matters with a fine point into the breeze. 

It was a real cagey affair from there to the break. Kevin McGettigan and his nephew Eoghan put the visitors into a 0-6 to 0-5 lead at the break. Kilcar had the freshening breeze in the second half as Eoin McHugh levelled matters again with a left-footed point. 

Referee Enda McFeely then admitted to the perturbed Naomh Conaill bench that he had made a mistake in not awarding a mark to their full-forward Neil Francis Boyle as the tempo increased. A speedy and swarming Kilcar were winning most of the breaks at midfield and Oran Doogan put them ahead only for Eoghan McGettigan levelled matters from a free. Stephen McBrearty nosed Kilcat in front from a free as they finished the stronger side and Naomh Conaill were playing catch up.  

The pace was hotting up as the finishing line beckoned and Naomh Conaill restored  their lead from McGettigan and a great point from the sideling from Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí. But Conor Cunningham’s men sensed a much needed victory as McHugh levelled matters to set up a frenetic finish. Both sides went for the jugular. Kenneth Doogan edged Kilcar in front, but McGettigan levelled. 

But in their final attack Kilcar got Matthew McClean on the ball and he hit a valuable winner to end a thrilling second half. 

Kilcar scorers: Eoin McHugh 0-3; Stephen McBrearty 0-2f; Brian O’Donnell and Oran Doogan 0-2; Kenneth Doogan and Matthew McClean 0-1.
Naomh Conaill scorers: Eoghan McGettigan 0-4,2f; Kevin McGettigan 0-2; Ultan Doherty, Jeaic MacCeallbhuí, Keelan McGill 0-1; Brendan McDyer 0-1, 1f.

Kilcar: Mark McHugh: Kenny Doogan, Pauric Carr, Ryan McShane; Ryan O’Donnell, Brian O’Donnell, Michael O’Donnell; Eoin McHugh, Oran Doogan; Eoin Cormack, Stephen McBrearty, Ryan Jones; Dara O’Donnell, Matthew McClean, Daniel Lyons.Subs: Kevin Campbell for MarkMcHugh (10), Seanie Boyle for Ryan Jones (34). 
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Logan Quinn, AJ Gallagher, Kevin McGettigan, Anthony Thompson, Ethan O’Donnell; Leo McLoone, Keelan McGill; Mark McDevitt, John O’Malley, Jeaic Mac Ceallbhuí; Brendan McDyer, Neil Francis Boyle, Eoghan McGettigan. Subs; Daniel Gildea for Neil Francis Boyle (45), Seamus Corcoran for Leo McLoone (54). 
Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary’s Convoy)