Ardara hold on to win by minimum against Naomh Brid

Ardara were put to the pin of their collar in an exciting game at Pearse Park with Naomh Brid just coming up short.

Ardara 2-10    Naomh Brid 3-6

Ardara had the advantage of the strong breeze in the opening half and eventually made it count late in the half to lead by 2-8 to 1-3 at the break.

Once again Karl Joseph Molloy was their scorer-in-chief, finishing with 1-6, while older brother John Ross was back in Ardara colours after Donegal’s exit from the All-Ireland championship.

Ardara had the first three points from Conor Classon, Karl Joseph Molloy and a Niall McCrossan free before Naomh Brid hit back with two Darren Russell frees.

Further points from Paul Walsh and two from Molloy put Ardara four clear but again Naomh Brid responded with a Gearoid Gallagher point and a great run from Liam Duffy ended with a good finish to level matters on 27 minutes.

But in the final minutes of the half Ardara hit 2-2, the points from Karl Joseph Molloy while the goals were shared by Molloy and Paul Walsh. Walsh set up the first goal and Karl Joseph returned the favour a minute later.

The eight point lead looked enough, especially when Karl Joseph Molloy added the first point of the second half but then it was all Naomh Brid with Damien Cleary bundling the ball to the net either side of Russell frees.

And when Gearoid Gallagher burst through on a 50 yard run to fire home a third goal for the visitors, the fat was in the fire.

Gallagher then levelled matters with six minutes left only for Nicholas Breslin to fire over a point which proved to be the winner with five minutes left.

Paul Walsh hit a post in added time but it was Naomh Brid who were on the front foot but three minutes into added time Robbie O’Donnell  blew for time.

The Naomh Brid players were unhappy as they were on the attack and their midfielder Gearoid Gallagher picked up a red card.

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Ardara scorers: Karl Joseph Molloy 1-6,2f,2m; Paul Walsh 1-1; Conor Classon, Niall McCrossan (free), Nicholas Breslin 0-1 each.

Naomh Brid scorers: Gearoid Gallagher 1-2; Darren Russell 0-4,4f; Liam Duffy, Damien Cleary 1-0 each.

Ardara: Gareth Concarr; Shane Mooney, Shane Whyte, Oisin O’Donnell; Nicholas Breslin, Paddy McGrath, Eoin Gallagher; Conor Classon, Kevin Whyte; Danny Walsh, John Ross Molloy, Ronan Breslin; Paul Walsh, Niall McCrossan, Karl Joseph Molloy.

Subs: Charlie Bennett for O O’Donnell; CJ Molloy for N McCrossan; Nicholas Maguire for E Gallagher.

Naomh Brid: Pauric McDaid; Conor McNulty, Gary McCafferty, Michael Gallagher; Eoin Quinn, Eoin McGarrigle, Billy Harron; Gearoid Gallagher, Eoin Rush; Callum Gallagher, Darren Russell, Liam Duffy; Declan McCafferty, Damien Cleary, Liam Gallagher.

Subs: Callum McGrory for Rush; Daniel Brogan for D McCafferty.

Referee: Robbie O’Donnell (Naomh Muire)