Killybegs survive in Donegal SFC with win over St Naul's in relegation play-off

Killybegs survived in the Michael Murphy Sports senior championship with a win over St Naul's in the relegation semi-final play-off in Davy Brennan Park, Glenties..

Killybegs 0-13 St Naul's 1-5

Despite a great start with a goal on three minutes, St Naul's were not able to match the Fishermen. Injuries to key players including Stuart Johnston, Barry Griffin, John Rose and Oisin Mogan didn't help their cause.

It can be a cruel game with St Naul's winning the clash between the pair last week in Mountcharles with a late, late point, but this time there were no arguments about the result. They were unhappy with the fixture going ahead, and expressed that anger again after the game, but over the 60+ minutes Killybegs deserved the win.

St Naul's got off to the perfect start with a goal on three minutes. Joe Campbell started and finished the move, combining with Peadar Mogan and taking the return to fire to the roof of the Killybegs net.

But as happens many teams who score an early goal, it was Killybegs who began to build momentum and for the remainder of the first half they were dominant in the possession stakes.

That they only led by two points - 0-6 to 1-1 - at the break was down to some poor shooting with some bad wides.

There was a lengthy stoppage on six minutes when Conor Cunningham sustained a leg injury when going for goal, pulling his shot across the St Naul's goalmouth, and he had to be stretchered off. A free was awarded and Hugh McFadden had Killybegs on the board.

Jon Ban Gallagher and another Hugh McFadden free had Killybegs level by the 18th minute. Gavin Mulreany was short with a 55m free but then hit the target from almost the same spot on 23 minutes.

Killybegs had the ball in the St Naul's net after a high ball broke with Paul Cunningham finishing but after consulting with his neutral umpires, the referee awarded a free out.

But the momentum was with Killybegs and they hit the final three points of the half from Ryan Cunningham, Rory Colyer and a monster effort from Hugh McFadden from fully 55m with the last play of the half.

Paul Cunningham had the opening point of the second half for the Fishermen, a well-finished effort on 33 minutes.
Killybegs all but closed out this game in the opening 12 minutes of the second half when they hit five unanswered points to go seven clear. Paul Cunningham started the ball rolling and Ryan Cunningham hit two in a minute. Ryan Carr came forward to fist another before Jack McSharry played a one-two with Charlie Breslin to fire over.

But the game took another twist when Kevin O'Boyle, not long on the field, was shown red for upending Gavin Mulreany on a forward run. Stephen Griffin came to life for the losers hitting four frees to cut the lead to three by the 50th minute.
But they never really threatened the goal they needed in the final 15 minutes of play with Hugh McFadden and Eoghan Bán Gallagher closing up the gate and in added time Jack McSharry and Evan Broderick had the final scores.

St Naul's also ended the  game with 14 with 'keeper Gavin Mulreany black carded in the final minute for a tackle on Jack McSharry.

Killybegs scorers: Hugh McFadden 0-3,2f; Ryan Cunningham 0-3; Jack McSharry 0-2; Jon Bán Gallagher, Rory Colyer, Evan Broderick, Ryan Carr, Paul Cunningham 0-1 each.
St Naul's scorers: Stephen Griffin 0-4,4f; Joe Campbell 1-0; Gavin Mulreany 0-1,f.

Killybegs: Corey Byrne; Christopher Fallon, Ryan Carr, Charlie Breslin; Jon Bán Gallagher, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Callum Quinn; Evan Broderick, Rory Colyer; Michael Callaghan, Ryan Cunningham, Donal McGuire; Conor Cunningham, Hugh McFadden, Jack McSharry.
Subs: Paul Cunningham for Conor Cunningham (9); Timmy Gorrell for C Quinn (36); Kevin O'Boyle for Callaghan (38).

St Naul's: Gavin Mulreany; Niall Prendiville, Brendan McCole, Caolan Gaffney; Daniel Gallagher, Kyle Campbell, Shane Conneely; Lee McBrearty, Ian Campbell; Michael Coughlan, Peadar Mogan, Joe Campbell; Thomas White, Stephen Griffin, Martin Breslin.a
Subs: John Rose for K Campbell (39); Oisin Mogan for D Gallagher (41); Barry Griffin for M Breslin (54); Declan Duignan for L McBrearty (55)

Referee: Marc Brown (Four Masters)