Four Masters come from five down to draw with Naomh Conaill

Naomh Conaill were five up with 44 minutes played but they failed to score again and Four Masters hit back to get a share of the spoils in their opening U-21B Championship game at Davy Brennan Park on Saturday.

Naomh Conaill 1-8 Four Masters 1-8

The Glenties-based side looked to be on their way to victory when they 1-8 to 0-6 ahead but they missed one very kickable free and were also forced to play with 14 men after losing Jackie Chen was shown red at the start of the third quarter for a high challenge.

Four Masters were helped by a lucky goal from Conor Meehan, who was definitely going for a point on 55 minutes, but the ball eluded defenders and 'keeper and ended in the net.

The first half was evenly contested with Naomh Conaill ahead by 1-4 to 0-4 at the break.

Danny Brown, who was lively throughout, had the opening point on two minutes. Conor Meehan levelled from a free.

Tiernan Ward pointed a free from distance and on 12 minutes Naomh Conaill struck for a goal. The move went through the middle before Jack Boyle crossed for Danny Brown to bundle home at the far post.

Kevin Muldoon had a point for Four Masters but Daniel Gildea concelled that. Points from Callum Dunnion and Shay Travers cut the lead but Tiarnan Ward had the final point of the opening half.

Conor Gildea had the opening point of the second half for Naomh Conaill but again Kevin Muldoon replied. The best player on the field, Conor Roarty, burst through to fire over but again Richard O'Rourke replied.

Tiernan Ward hit a mighty effort from close to the sideline and a Mark McDevitt free put Naomh Conaill five up and seemingly on their way.

Shay Travers cut the lead with a good score and then came the Conor Meehan effort for a point that ended in the net to leave just one in it.

A minute into added time Seanan Carr fired over the equaliser. Richard O'Rourke had a chance to win the game but his free from outside the '45' was just short, fielded by Neil Francis Boyle.

Naomh Conaill scorers: Danny Brown 1-1; Tiernan Ward 0-3,2f; Conor Roarty, Daniel Gildea, Mark McDevitt (f), Conor Gildea 0-1 each.
Four Masters scorers: Conor Meehan 1-1,f; Kevin Muldoon, Shea Travers 0-2 each; Seanan Carr, Alex McCalmont, Callum Dunnion, Richard O'Rourke 0-1 each.

Naomh Conaill: Aodhan Brown; Conall Brannigan, Mark Campbell, Odhran McCallig; Joseph Sharkey, Conor Roarty, Oran Doherty; Neil Francis Boyle, Finbarr Roarty; Daniel Gildea, Mark McDevitt, Conor Gildea; Tiernan Ward, Jack Boyle, Danny Brown.
Subs: Jackie Chan for O McCallig (40); Sean Doherty for Shankey (56)

Four Masters: Ethan McNulty; Leo McGowan, Ross O'Keeney, Darragh Geary; Caolan Sweeney, Callum McCrea, David Monaghan; Conor Reid, Richard O'Rourke; Alex McCalmont, Seanan Carr, Kevin Muldoon; Conor Meehan, Shay Travers, Daniel McIntyre.
Subs: Daniel Quinn for McCalmont (8); Callum Dunnion for D Quinn (25); Michael McMullin for McIntyre (45).

Referee: Robbie O'Donnell (Naomh Muire)