Naomh Conaill come alive in second half to blow Kilcar away with four goals

Champions Naomh Conaill booked their place in the semi-final with an impressive second half performance against Kilcar in Fintra.

Naomh Conaill 4-7 Kilcar 0-9

Four points down at half-time, Naomh Conaill showed their true pedigree in the second half as they fired home four goals and it could have been more.

They were completely dominant and Kilcar simply had no answer to their power play. They have been drawn against St Eunan's in the semi-final and that should be a game for the ages.

Kilcar had the advantage of the wind in the opening half and they had to be patient with Naomh Conaill putting up the shutters.

Ryan McHugh did give them a dream start, finding space to tap over after 41 seconds. But there were would be 10 minutes on the clock before Matthew McClean got their second, a magnificent effort from the 45m line.

By that stage Ciaran Thompson had Naomh Conaill level after Charlie McGuinness had drawn a foul. Ciaran Thompson levelled again for Naomh Conaill after they broke from a turnover.

The game really came to life in the last 10 minutes of the half with Kilcar finding the range. Ryan McHugh and Eoin McHugh had points inside a couple of minutes while Oran Doogan broke through to fire over another.

John O'Malley pulled a point back, converting a difficult free, but just before half-time Brian O'Donnell came forward to win a free off Charles McGuinness and Patrick McBrearty had his first score of the game.

Then just seconds into added time Matthew McClean repeated what he had done earlier, finding the range from distance to leave the half-time score: Kilcar 0-7, Naomh Conaill 0-3.

The second half comeback was underway on 20 seconds with John O'Malley pointing and disaster struck for Kilcar on 34 minutes when they didn't deal with a Ciaran Thompson '45' and it ended in the net to level matters.

Both sides were reduced to 14 after a fracas occurred after the goal. Marc Brown red carded Kilcar 'keeper Kevin Campbell and Naomh Conaill's Eoin Waide.

Patrick McBrearty had the first of only two second half points for Kilcar to put them ahead again but the game turned completely midway through the half. Brian O'Donnell denied Eunan Doherty with a point blank save and John O'Malley pointed the resultant '45'.

O'Malley pushed Naomh Conaill ahead for the first time on 44 minutes before the floodgates opened with two goals in a couple of minutes. Odhrán Doherty powered through to fire an unstoppable shot past Mark McHugh, who had come into the Kilcar side.

A couple of minutes later Brendan McDyer fired home a third goal and the game was over as a contest.

Ciaran Thompson pointed with his right as the Kilcar defence was now in shreds. Mark McHugh made a great stop to deny a fourth goal but it arrived shortly after as Brendan McDyer palmed home. Ryan McHugh had a final point for Kilcar as both sides were reduced to 13, Brian O'Donnell seeing red for Kilcar while Odhrán Doherty was shown a second yellow, followed by red.

Kilcar scorers: Ryan McHugh 0-3; Matthew McClean 0-2; Patrick McBrearty 0-2,1f; Eoin McHugh, Oran Doogan 0-1 each..
Naomh Conaill scorers: Brendan McDyer 2-0; Ciaran Thompson 0-3,1f; og; John O'Malley 0-4,2f,'45'; Odhrán Doherty 1-0

Kilcar: Kevin Campbell; Pauric Carr, Brian O'Donnell, Kenny Doogan; Daniel Lyons, Ryan McHugh, Ryan O'Donnell; Ciaran McGinley, Eoin McHugh; Oran Doogan, Matthew McClean, Ryan McShane; Stephen McBrearty, Patrick McBrearty, Seanie Boyle.
Subs: Mark McHugh for S Boyle (36); Dillon O'Gara for K Doogan (51); Conor Doherty for R O'Donnell (58)

Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Jason Campbell, AJ Gallagher, Ultan Doherty; Kevin McGettigan, Anthony Thompson, Eoin Waide; Leo McLoone, Ciaran Thompson; Brendan McDyer, Odhrán Doherty, Eunan Doherty; Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí, Charles McGuinness, John O'Malley.
Subs: Ethan O'Donnell for AJ Gallagher (51); Keelan McGill for A Thompson (52); Logan Quinn for E O'Donnell (59)

Referee: Marc Brown (Four Masters)