Brilliant Na Rossa clinch Junior A title at Moville’s expense 

Na Rossa clinched their first Donegal JFC A title since back in 1982 after this narrow but deserved victory over Moville in a titanic tussle at O’Donnell Park. 

Na Rossa 0-15 Moville 1-10 

And it was a very proud occasion for the Bonner clan as manager Declan was a key figure back then and his two sons, Cillian and Christian, played big parts in this victory.

But their biggest hero was centre forward Aidan McHugh who hit 0-6 and was at the heart of all of their moves up front ably assisted by the elegant Cillian Bonner. 

Adrian Sweeney has landed a championship medal with Na Rossa. 

For Moville, who led for long periods, Michael Barr, Danny Murphy and Josh Lafferty were major figures but they were just not able to contain Na Rossa’s late surge that pushed them to an emotional victory.   

The game opened on a dramatic note when Moville struck the Na Rossa post with a speculative shot. The ball fell for Murphy on the edge of the square and he looked to be held by two Na Rossa players. 

The ball ended up in the Na Rossa net, but referee Seamus McGonigle ruled that Murphy had thrown the ball into the Na Rossa net and awarded a free.  

Declan Bonner’s boys quickly shrugged off this early scare as Aidan McHugh opened their account with a confidently struck free in the second minute. 

McHugh had a great chance of a goal a minute later when a great moved ended with Cillian Bonner putting him through but his effort at goal was smothered by two Moville defenders and the ball went wide. 

But, Na Rossa midfielder John McDyre hit a fine point for the men from Leitir men as Murphy found space deep inside the Na Rossa defence and got his side off the mark in the eighth minute. 

Just before that Oisin Caulfield speared his way through the Moville defence, but just lost control at the vital moment with a team mate one on one with the Moville keeper.  However, McHugh landed another well-struck point. 

Na Rossa looked the more composed side and were finding loads of space inside the Moville defence as Cillian Bonner angled over a neat point in the 15th minute. 

Two minutes later his soaring shot looked to have just tailed wide but the umpire awarded a somewhat questionable point. McHugh then had a chance to make it 0-6 to 0-1 but fluffed his free. 

At the other end Murphy ended a Moville scoring famine with a beautiful strike that signalled a significant comeback. 

Barr added another point for the Inishowen men and Christy Hegarty made it a 0-5 to 0-4 game as Moville were growing in confidence. 

McHugh gave Na Rossa some breathing space with a pointed free before Moville struck back with a superb goal. 

Seamus McLaughlin found a sliver of space deep within the Na Rossa defence and hit a real left-footed beauty to the corner of the net.   

Na Rossa boss Declan Bonner looks on as his side lift the Junior A title. 

McHugh hit back with a point for Na Rossa to leave Moville leading by 1-5 to 0-7 at the break. Moville added two more early points to leave a goal between the sides as they led by 1-7 to 0-7. 

But man of the match McHugh hit back with a point as Odhran Molloy and Adrian Hanlon levelled matters for Na Rossa. 

Moville had a wonderful chance of a goal when ex county player Ciaran Diver tore through the Na Rossa defence and was one-on-one with keeper Dylan Doherty. He had plenty of time but blazed the ball over the bar which was a turning point. 

McHugh replied with a pointed free and he added a superb point after a great one two with Cillian Bonner to level matters. 

Moville’s veteran Nigel McMonagle won a free and Murphy put the Inishowen men back in front as the finishing tape beckoned. 

The large crowd roared on both teams as Odhran Molloy levelled matters for Na Rossa. 

Moville had a great chance of edging back into the lead but team captain Daniel Martin Melly pulled off a fabulous block from McMonagle to prevent a certain point as five minutes added time were played. 

Na Rossa made another surge and Cillian Bonner put them back in front with a great effort. 

Moville tried desperately to get back on terms but Na Rossa won another free and sub keeper John Paul McCready hit the clincher to huge roars from their large following. 

Na Rossa scorers: Aidan McHugh 0-6,5f; Cillian Bonner 0-3; Odhran Molloy 0-2; John McDyre 0-1; Adam McHugh 0-1; Adrian Hanlon 0-1; John Paul McCready 0-1,1f;  

Moville scorers: Seamus McLaughlin 1-0; Michael Barr 0-3; Danny Murphy 0-3,1f; Christy Hegarty 0-1; Ciaran Diver 0-1; Padhraic Skelly 0-1; Shaun Doherty 0-1;  

Na Rossa: Aidan McCahill; Sean McMonagle, Daniel Martin Melly, Denis O’Donnell; Oisin Caulfield, Johnny Bonner, Christian Bonner; John McDyre, Eugene Molloy; Adam McHugh, Aidan McHugh, Matthew Smith; Cillian Bonner, Adrian Hanlon, Odhran Molloy. 

Subs: Brian Breslin for Eugene Molloy (h-time), Brian O’Donnell for Denis O’Donnell (37), Adrian Sweeney for Matthew Smith (45) Mark Bonner for Sean McMonagle (50), John Paul McCready for Aidan McCahill (56). 

Moville: Dylan Doherty; Brendan McClenaghan, Enda Faulkner, Oisin McElhinney: Michael Leech, Declan Diver, Eoghan McLaughlin; Padhraic Skelly, Ciaran Diver; Shaun Doherty (17) Joshie Lafferty, Michael Barr; Seamus McLaughlin, Christy Hegarty, Danny Murphy. 

Subs; Nigel McMonagle for Michael Leech (47), Jamie McCormick for Christy Hegarty (53) 

Referee: Seamus McGonigle (Aodh Ruadh)