Naomh Padraig have to use promotion as a ‘stepping stone’ - Daniel McCauley

Daniel McCauley has challenged his young Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin squad to want more and to push onto even greater heights in the next number of years. 

Naomh Padraig put in a serious effort on Sunday in Letterkenny as they overcame Inishowen rivals Burt 3-7 to 2-6  in a promotion/relegation play-off encounter - a win that now elevates the side up to Division 2 of the All-County League. 

All was well that ended well but Naomh Padraig had to overcome a disastrous start to matters in Letterkenny as they fell two goals behind inside the first eight minutes of action. But by the break just a single point separated the teams at 2-1 to 1-3. 

Still, with county star Caolan McColgan limping off just before the short whistle and with Burt set to play with the elements after the changeover, it looked a little ominous for Naomh Padraig at that juncture. However, McCauley explains the reason why that wasn’t how he viewed matters at the midpoint. 

“We’re delighted,” said McCauley after. “After conceding the two goals early on it might have looked like we were gone. We battled back and then lost Caolan just before half time. We were with the wind but the funny thing is we aren’t great with it - we haven’t been all year. 

“Winning the toss, the idea was to go with it first. And the hope was that our runners might see us through in the second half”.

He added: “We were content enough in the changing rooms at the break. We battled and we fought like dogs in there. Drew McKinney came back in there, after a bad injury. And he’s a leader on the pitch”.

Deep into the red and with Naomh Padraig desperately hanging onto a 2-7 to 2-6 lead it felt like this one might be on the verge of heading to extra time. But with Burt committed and over extended in a desperate search for an equaliser, teenager Rian Gallagher sealed matters with a breakaway goal.  

“Rian Gallagher is only 17, he’s been excellent all year. But he came in there and he had a brilliant game. This is massive for the club. It’s a stepping stone. We’re a young side. Most of the team are under 24. So the future is bright”.