Cloughaneely too strong for a game Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin in Minor Division 2 final

Cloughaneely took the Division 2 Minor honours with a win over Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin at the GAA Centre.

Cloughaneely 1-8 Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin 1-5

While three points separated the sides at the finish, Cloughaneely were worthy winners and could easily have won by more.

They had 11 wides over the hour but they also had the better forwards, with Naomh Padraig relying heavily on Cillian Doyle.
Cloughaneely had the breeze at their backs in the first half and while they had a five point lead going to the dressing rooms, they wouldn't have been overly happy with their return.

Caolan McNulty showed the forwards the way after four minutes and Fionan Coyle added a second a minute later.

Naomh Padraig were relying on a long ball into full-forward Jamie McColgan, but it just wasn't working, especially as Patrick Doohan was sweeping and controlling the game for most of the opening half.

Despite having plenty of possession Cloughaneely didn't get another score until the 18th minute when Donnachadh Ó Baoighill pointed a free and four minutes later he won and pointed the fourth score.

Cillian Doyle had a great opening for Naomh Padraig, but blazed wide while Cloughaneely almost had a goal on 27 minutes when Fionnan Coyle centred and Thomas O'Reilly's fisted effort came back off a post.

Jack Gallagher had the final score of the first half, to leave Cloughaneely ahead by 0-5 to no score at the break.

It didn't get any better for Naomh Padraig after the break as Cloughaneely brought in Tiernan McGinty, who is on the Derry City books. He had the scoreboard ticking after 36 seconds.

Cillian Doyle got Naomh Padraig on the board inside two minutes but then Cloughaneely struck for a goal with Jack Gallagher involved before Kevin Lynch toe poked home after his first effort was blocked.

Donnachadh Ó Boighill added a point from a free but Naomh Padraig responded well with a Finn McClafferty point followed by a long range free from Jamie McCauley, but then he missed a great chance from a 20m free later.

Cillian Doyle cut the lead to six and the goal which Naomh Padraig needed came on 20 minutes. A high ball into the square was fielded by Tiernan Doherty. His shot was blocked but the referee awarded a penalty for touching the ball on the ground.

From the penalty spot, Cillian Doyle blasted towards the top corner but Matthew Ryder made a wonder save. The ball went up in the air and Doyle was first to it to fist to the net.

Donnachadh Ó Baoighill pushed Cloughaneely four ahead on 52 minutes but then missed a free, while Cillian McEleney came forward to leave it 1-8 to 1-5 with five minutes of normal time left. Naomh Padraig kept battling gamely but never looked like getting the scores needed.

Cloughaneely scorers: Donnachadh Ó Baoill 0-4,4f; Kevin Lynch 1-0; Caolan McNulty, Jack Gallagher, Fionan Coyle, Tiernan McGinty 0-1 each.
Naomh Padraig scorers: Cillian Doyle 1-2,pen,f; Jamie McCauley 0-1,f; Cillian McEleney, Finn McClafferty 0-1 each.

Cloughaneely: Matthew Ryder; Stephen Curran, Ciaran O'Donnell, Thomas Doogan; Caolan McNulty, Jamie McGeever, James Doogan; Lorcan McGee, Carragher Friel; Kevin Lynch, Jack Gallagher, Thomas O'Reilly; Fionan Coyle, Donnachadh Ó Baoighill, Patrick Doohan.
Subs: Tiernan McGinty for O'Reilly (ht); Shane Curran for Lynch (56)

Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin: Oisin Quigley; Conor Farren, Daniel McMenamin, Kyle Melly; Will McLaughlin, Cillian McEleney, Finn McClafferty; Jamie McCauley, Tiernan Doherty; Peter McLaughlin, Cahir McElhinney, Evan McColgan; Mark Farren, Jamie McColgan, Cillian Doyle.
Subs: Daithi Peto for W McLaughlin (54)

Referee: Kenneth Byrne (Naomh Columba)