Doherty magic takes Carndonagh to U-13 Division 3 crown

Carndonagh had just too much power and a match-winner in Aaron Doherty for a very young Four Masters side in an absorbing U-13 Division 3 final in Convoy.

Carndonagh 4-10 Four Masters 2-9

Their best weapon was the talented corner-forward Doherty, who had magic in his boots and finished with 3-5 to his credit.

Masters, all of whom are underage next year, battled hard and their speed and direct running did cause Carndonagh some anxious moments and their two goals came in injury time from substitute Matthew Kennedy and Senan Melly.

Masters went into an early lead through points from Dylan McFadden and the lively Ronan Meehan. But they were rocked by the first of Doherty’s three goals who took a great pass from the outstanding Ryan McLaughlin and buried the ball in the Masters net.

Doherty added another point as did Keith Callaghan. The hard-working Caolan McMullin hit the target for Masters as did Josh Brennan. Doherty and Meehan exchanged points before Doherty found the net again to give Carn a 2-4 to 0-5 lead - a platform they never surrendered.

And he nipped in for another goal just before half-time to put his side into a pretty unassailable 3-4 to 0-5 lead.

The game was already decided as a contest and the second half saw both empty their considerable benches. Doherty continued to arrow over points.

Calvin Logue hit Carn’s fourth goal while Meehan and Tom Erskine landed points for Masters. Masters hit two late consolation goals from Kennedy and Melly.

A well-deserved win for a much stronger side, although Masters’ young side will be quite a force in next year’s competition.

Carndonagh scorers: Aaron Doherty 3-5; Oisin Curran 0-2; Calvin Logue 1-0; Ryan McLaughlin, Keith Callaghan and Ben Kelly 0-1.
Four Masters scorers: Ronan Meehan 0-4, 2f; Matthew Kennedy and Senan Melly 1-0; Caolan McMullin 0-2; Tom Erskine, Josh Brennan and Dylan McFadden 0-1;

Carndonagh: Riley Kelly; Liam Doherty, Donal Carroll, Cillian Gallagher, Ryan McLaughlin, Kayden McCloskey, Tristan McLaughlin, Ethan McLaughlin, Keith Callaghan, Oisin McElhinney, Danny O’Brien, Oisin Curran Aaron Doherty. Subs used; Jack Canny, Thomas Hennessy, Ben Kelly, Cillian McElhinney, Alex Bradley, Calvin Logue.
Four Masters: Noah Kennedy; Charlie O’Neill, Matthew Taylor, Dylan McFadden, Senan Melly, Eoin McGroarty, Jamie Curristan, Caolan McMullin, Josh Brennan, Daniel Monaghan, Daryl Cassidy, Tom Erskine, Ronan Meehan. Subs used; Declan Kerrigan, Jason O’Sullivan, Jenson Pingree, Joe McGarry.
Referee: Gerard McHugh (Convoy)