Naomh Conaill hearts broken late on as Watty Grahams progress to another decider

In a contest that seemed destined for extra-time, Emmett Bradley struck right at the death as Ulster champions Watty Grahams progressed to yet another decider at the expense of what was a brave Naomh Conaill effort. 

Naomh Conaill 1-6 Watty Grahams 0-10

Trailing by a point as matters neared the end of the allocated three minutes of injury time, AJ Gallagher popped up to flick over the bar and level the game up. 

However, Malachy O’Rourke’s men would go straight down the other side and through Bradley, seal their passage with the very last kick of the game. 

The Glen, Maghera men had dominated most of the first period but only led by four as many minutes out from the break with Glenties, at that stage, yet to wave a flag of any description. 

But digging deep, a rallying burst resulted in three quickfire efforts and left the bare minimum in it. 

Watty Grahams would eventually go in two clear but a huge moment arrived at the outset of the second-half when John O’Malley’s coolly dispatched penalty pushed the Donegal champions in front for the very first time. 

Back at the outset, in what was a frantic first five minutes, a pair of brilliant turnovers from Anthony Thompson and Charlie McGuinness forged chances for Naomh Conaill to open the scoring. 

However, Ciaran Thompson was off cue from a ‘45 and Leo McLoone entered a blind alley with the incisive run of Kevin McGettigan not spotted. 

Up the other end, a scud-like delivery from Conor Glass threatened to prise open the Glenties rearguard but with Alex Doherty lurking, Stephen McGrath was alert to cut out that danger. 

Conleth McGuckian managed to open the scoring from a wide on the left mark on five minutes and, nearing the end of the first quarter, the same player nabbed his and his side’s second. 

A wayward McGrath dispatch almost allowed Tiarnan Flanagan in but the danger was averted. Still, Glen continued to turn the screw and were three up on 17 minutes as wing-back Cathal Mulholland ghosted up in the left flank to sail over a superb effort. 

The Derry champions’ slow asphyxiation of their Donegal counterparts showed no let-up at that stage and, in that familiar Glen manner, they went four clear seven minutes out from the break as McGuckian, with a little help from McGrath’s fingertips, again cleared the crossbar. 

Naomh Conaill finally burst into life going into the last five minutes of the first period as Ciaran Thomson bit down to force an opener. 

Moments later, the wide-lurking Ethan O’Donnell sliced over a superb effort with the outside of the boot that needed to lick the inside of Connlan Bradley’s upright to help it over. 

Thompson kept that new-found momentum in blue sails when he made it a one-point game at 0-4 to 0-3. 

But Glen would have the last say of the opening period as Jody McDermott, just onto the field, grabbed a fifth over for his side right on the short whistle. 

Four minutes into the new stanza and Naomh Conaill stole a real march when Gallagher - all the way from full-back - went down inside the area, under pressure from McGuckian, and a penalty was awarded. 

O’Malley swept home from the spot to propel his side from two down to one up. Mulholland and Bradley responded for the Oak Leafers as the pendulum once again swung Glen’s way on the scoreboard. 

Moving into the last quarter and Brendan McDyer levelled it up once more. Another impressive free from the hands was then dispatched by Bradley to leave it 0-8 t0 1-4 in his side’s favour. 

Eunan Doherty snatched at an opportunity to help Naomh Conaill once again find parity as the hour mark approached. 

But prodding and probing, Ethan O’Donnell picked just the right moment to thread inside to the deep-lying Ciaran Thompson and he posted another leveller. 

Two minutes into the red and replacement Stevie O’Hara must have thought he’d won it for the Glen. 

Gallagher though must also have believed he’d forced matters to extra-time when he busted a gut to get in on the end of a McLoone effort that was dropping short and needed to be helped over the crossbar. 

But in a game of fine, fine margins Emmett Bradley completed a colossal hour for Watty Grahams with the contest’s ultimate act. 

Naomh Conaill scorers: John O’Malley 1-0,1Pen; Ciaran Thompson 0-3; Brendan McDyer 0-2; AJ Gallagher 0-1. 

Watty Grahams scorers: Emmett Bradley 0-3,2f; Conleth McGuckian 0-3,1m; Cathal Mulholland 0-2; Jody McDermott 0-1; Stevie O’Hara 0-1. 

Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Eoin Waide, AJ Gallagher, Ultan Doherty; Kevin McGettigan, Anthony Thompson, Ethan O’Donnell; Leo McLoone, Ciaran Thompson; Brendan McDyer, Odhran Doherty, Eunan Doherty; Jeaic Mac Cealbhuí, Charles McGuinness, John O’Malley. 

Subs: Keelan McGill for O’Malley (52).

Watty Grahams: Connlan Bradley; Michael Warnock, Ryan Dougan, Connor Carvalle; Eunan Mulholland, Ciaran McFaul, Cathal Mulholland; Conor Glass, Emmett Bradley; Ethan Doherty, Danny McDermott, Tiarnan Flanagan; Alex Doherty, Danny Tallon, Conleth McGuckian. 

Subs: Jody McDermott for D McDermott (24), Stevie O’Hara for A Doherty (54). 

Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone).