Griffin inspires St Naul's to relegation final win over Milford

St Naul’s put in a very good display as they easily disposed of Milford to remain in the Donegal Senior Championship

St Naul’s 0-17   Milford 0-9

In years to come, Stephen Griffin and St Naul’s will look back on this as one of their most complete displays in the club’s history. 

For this was a victory that was total, complete and sustained as they totally dominated this do or die affair against an outgunned Milford under lights in Convoy. 

And player-manager Griffin led brilliantly from the front-hitting 0-11 with 0-6 from frees, but he was supported by a rejuvenated Peadar Mogan who is back to full fitness. 

And more good news for Jim McGuinness is that Brednan McCole remains a colossal force of nature. 

But this was a real team performance from the Mountcharles men who hit a stunning six points in the opening six minutes which laid firm foundations for total dominance. 

Milford’s Kane Barrett had his moments, but they struggled all over the field with the power and pace of their opponents. 

The flying Mogan was fouled after 40 seconds, and Griffin landed the first free. 

And five more followed in quick succession from Griffin and Declan Duignan as they led by 0-6 to 0-0 after just six minutes. 

They could have had a goal after a lightning move that saw Griffin one on one with Milford keeper Shea McBride, the latter made a great block-but Griffin pointed the rebound. 

Kane Barrett opened the scoring for a pretty shell-shocked Milford in the 10th minute quickly added another effort as they struggled to get to grips with the energy and effervescence of St Naul’s. 

Barrett added a third, but Griffin responded with another score as St Naul’s led by 0-8 to 0-3 at the break. 

But Milford suffered a heavy blow when they lost the physical presence of full-back Lorcan Friel to injury in the 20th minute. 

It didn’t get any better for Milford on the resumption as Griffin added another score with Milford’s county man Rory O’Donnell replying with a soaring effort. 

Mogan set up Griffin for another goal, but it was again brilliantly saved by McBride. 

Finn Coll of Milford and St Naul's Joe Campbell Picture: Evan Logan

There was a three-minute hold up as an umpire went down following an accidental clash with a player. 

Griffin continued to tap over the points with Naul’s keeper Gavin Mulreany weighing in with a superbly struck 45. 

Martin Breslin made it 0-13 to 0-5 by the 45th minute as St Naul’s lost Kyle Campbell to a black card. 

And while Milford saw a bit more of the ball in this period, they did not really take advantage of the extra man. 

St Naul’s had a penalty when John Rose was hauled back in the act of shooting for goal but McBride saved again at the expense of a 45 from Griffin, which Mulreany casually converted.  

The lively Darragh Black hit a fine score for Milford and Cathal McGettigan landed two frees to leave Naul’s leading by 0-15 to 0-8. 

But St Naul’s did not let up and the dancing feet of Mogan caused loads of chaos as he fisted a point with Griffin hitting the final score. 

St Naul’s scorers: Stephen Griffin 0-11,6f; Gavin Mulreany 0-2,45; Martin Breslin, John Rose, Peadar Mogan, Declan Duignan 0-1 each.

Milford scorers: Kane Barrett 0-4,2f; Cathal McGettigan 0-2f; Darragh Black 0-2; Martin Doyle 0-1.

St Naul’s: Gavin Mulreany; Niall Prendeville, Brendan McCole, John Rose; Barry Griffin, Daniel Gallagher, Oisin Mogan; Peadar Mogan, Ian Campbell; Kyle Campbell, Joe Campbell, Michael Coughlan; Declan Duignan, Stephen Griffin, Martin Breslin. Subs: Thomas White for Joe Campbell (39), Shane Conneely for Barry Griffin (48), Cathal Lowther for Kyle Campbell (52), Caolan Gaffney for Declan Duignan (59). 

Milford: Shea McBride; Peter Curran, Lorcan Friel, Brandon Wilkie; Ronan Doherty, Finn Coll, TJ Evission; James Doyle, Rory O’Donnell; Cathal McGettigan, Shane Black, Kyle Black; Martin Doyle, Kane Barrett, Darragh Black. Subs; Sean Coffey for Lorcan Friel (20), Pauric Ferry for Kyle Black (40), Matthew McLaughlin for Shane Black ((47), Shay Durnien for Brandon Wilkie (54), Caolan Bolton for Martin Doyle (58). 

Referee: James Connors (St Eunan’s)