Malin show their Division 1 intent with an eight-point victory over Bundoran

Malin had eight points to spare in their first outing of the All-County Football League Division One, Realt na Mara Bundoran.

Christy McLaughlin top-scored for Malin, with Sean O’Neill grabbing five and the goal came from Terence Doherty. Bundoran were best served by four-point Timmy Govorov and Ryan Blanc netted.

Bundoran, who made the long trip north, opened the scoring through an Oran Gallagher free, given after no advantage was gained.

Terence Doherty got Malin off the mark in style advancing from the 21' before letting fly into the net giving Conor Carty no chance in the Bundoran goal.

The lively Govorov replied after a jink and shot on the turn from the edge of the Malin 'D'. Another good advantage was pulled back by the referee allowing Sean O'Neill to score from a free from way out on the left.

McLaughlin freed from the right, though it looked briefly that Doherty was away for another goal.

Two more goal chances came and went with Doherty again involved, his cross of the ball across the square being blocked out and then Josh Conlan being denied by a save from Carty.

McLaughlin kept the scoreboard ticking over as Malin stretched their lead to four. Realt na Mara came back into a bit more towards the end of the half with Govorov heavily involved, he hit a free, had a couple of close wides and then hit the score of the half from the 45', despite being surrounded by Malin defenders. The half-time score read Malin 1-3 Bundoran 0-4.

Malin came out the sharper and Christopher McLaughlin's free was followed up by a great O'Neill score. Ryan Blanc won a free and Govorov slotted over to stay in touch.

Malin came back again with a McLaughlin-O'Neill combo with two McLaughlin's frees and a peach of a point from O’Neill from distance out on the left as they extended the lead out to six.

Conor O'Neill drove at the defence and again after no advantage accrued, McLaughlin slotted over the free. Malin were given a wake up call midway through the half when it looked like Bundoran would come back into the game with a lobbed goal by Blanc, though this was to be their last of the game as Malin hit the last four without reply.

Malin answered the goal with a good team score, Ciaran Doherty put in a good long ball into Terence Doherty and he fed Conor O'Neill to hit a good point from up the right. McLaughlin stretched the lead out to six with his seventh point of the hour and his first from play, a good effort from distance just left of centre. Sean O'Neill was freed from the same spot after his brother Conor had been felled. O'Neill wrapped up the scoring with a half volley over the bar from close range after Sean Byrne's effort at goal had been blocked. Two points for Malin, well officiated by Stephen Doherty.

Malin scorers: Christopher McLaughlin 0-7, 6f; Sean O'Neill 0-5, 2f; Terence Doherty 1-0; Conor O'Neill 0-1.
Realt na Mara scorers: Timmy Govorov 0-4, 2f; Ryan Blanc 1-0; Oran Gallagher 0-1, 1f.

Malin: Daniel Mullarkey, Mac McLaughlin, Ciaran Doherty, Adam McGonagle, Sean Byrne, Charles Byrne, Paul McLaughlin, John Gerard McLaughlin, Christopher McLaughlin, Darragh Douglas, Conor O'Neill, Ciaran O'Kane, Josh Conlan, Terence Doherty and Sean O'Neill. Sub Finn Ward for Ciaran O'Kane (51)
Realt na Mara Bundoran: Conor Carty, Matthew Tierney, Matthew Duffy, Lee Smyth, Ryan McGloin, Dara Hoey, Matthew Ward, Niall Carr, Oisin Walsh, Danny Conwell, Anton Govorov, Ryan Blanc, Lurcan Long, Oran Gallagher, Timmy Govorov. Subs: Adam McGloin for Long, Dermot Spratt for Gallagher, CJ McManus for Conwell
Referee: Stephen Doherty (Red Hughs).