Aodh Ruadh and Realt na Mara can’t be separated as derby tussle ends in a draw

Jamie Brennan was the bright star for wasteful Realt Na Mara in a turgid affair that ended in a feisty finish before a big crowd at Pairc Aoidh Ruadh. 

Aodh Ruadh 0-10 Realt na Mara 0-10 

Brilliant Brennan hit 0-8 with four from frees and was then sent off at the death for two yellow cards as Bundoran clung to a one-point lead. 

Indeed both sides finished with 14 men as Aodh Ruadh sub Darren Drummond was also lined for a similar offence a few minutes earlier. 

Aodh Ruadh also lost the influential Eamon McGrath for ten minutes to a black card after a foul on Brennan in the 41st minute. 

But Ballyshannon, who were lucky to get a draw, had their hero in ‘keeper Peter Boyle who held his nerve to land a 45m free to tie matters with the last kick of the game. 

And although Brennan was outstanding, he will rue the last free he hit narrowly wide as his side led by 0-10 to 0-9, two minutes from time. 

His colleagues will also rue a total of 11 wides and four efforts dropping short to their opponents’ tally of just five wides. 

Youthful Bundoran, who were the sharper side for long periods, have only themselves to blame for not winning this derby. 

But this precious point could mean they stay in Division 1 for another year while Aodh Ruadh had nothing to play for except pride. 

Bundoran played at pace throughout, but inexperience cost them on a few occasions. 

Aodh Ruadh were well below par and only Diarmaid McInerney and Eamon McGrath looked like driving them to an unlikely win. 

Shane Delahunty opened the scoring for Aodh Ruadh and Eoghan Kelly put them two points clear in a lethargic start. 

But, in a sign of things to come Brennan, who is revelling in his centre back role, levelled matters as his side settled. 

They hit a few bad wides before Cian McEmiff edged them in front by 0-3 to 0-2 by the 15th minute. 

Bundoran were pressing but Aodh Ruadh hit them on the counter with some fine points from the industrious McInerney and Cian Dolan. 

McEniff replied for Bundoran to leave the home side leading by 0-5 to 0-4 at the break. Delahunty increased the home side’s lead, but the inevitable Brennan, who was inspired, hit back with two points. 

McInerney then hit a free to put his side ahead by a point. The home side were then struck a blow when they lost McGrath, who was making an impact when he ran at the Bundoran defence, to a black card. 

Brennan levelled matters before McInerney hit a great point from distance to edge the home side back in front. 

Brennan was on target again with Bundoran now leading by 0-9 to 0-8. Aodh Ruadh then forced a quick turnover and their lightning counter saw Shane McGrath one on one with Bundoran keeper Conor Carty - but the latter made a brilliant save at the expense of a ‘45. 

Peter Boyle landed the kick but Brennan put Bundoran ahead by 0-10 to 0-9 four minutes from time. 

He had another chance to seal it but his free drifted wide and Boyle proved the saviour for the home side. 

Aodh Ruadh scorers: Diarmaid McInerney 0-43f; Shane Delahunty 0-2; Peter Boyle 0-2,2’45; Eoghan Kelly 0-1; Cian Dolan 0-1. 

Realt na Mara scorers: Jamie Brennan 0-8,4f; Cian McEniff 0-2,1f. 

Aodh Ruadh: Peter Boyle; Mark McGlynn, Kyle Murray, Colm Kelly; Gary Carty, Eddie Lynch, Michael McKenna; Cian Dolan, Shane McGrath; Eoghan Kelly, Diarmaid McInerney, Philip Patton; Shane Delahunty, David Dolan, Eamon McGrath. 

Subs; Darren Drummond and Niall Murray for Philip Patton and Gary Carty (all 44), Callum O’Halloran for Mark McGlynn (50), Matthew Gillespie for Shane Delahunty (56). 

Realt na Mara: Conor Carty; Matthew Tierney, Matthew Duffy, Ryan Blanc; Timmy Govorov, Jamie Brennan, Shane Moohan; Ciaran McCaughey, Cian McEniff; Adam McGlone, Ciaran O’Reilly, Kyle McNulty; Shane McGowan, Anton Govorov, Darragh Hoey. 

Subs: Brian McHenry for Ciaran O’Reilly (46), Lorcan Long for Shane Moohan (50). 

Referee: Jimmy White (Killybegs).