O'Malley seals a late winner for Naomh Conaill in tight contest with St Michael's

A first-half fisted goal from towering midfielder Neil Francis Boyle was ultimately the difference between these in an entertaining affair in the Davy Brennan Memorial Park. 

But it took all the craft and experience of Anthony Thompson and John O’Malley to see off a spirited St Michael’s challenge to ensure the home side’s four out of four so far. 

Naomh Conaill were leading by 1-8 to 0-10 - a shaky-looking lead as the visitors had one goal chance scrambled clear and the other flew over the bar from Max Roarty. 

St Michael’s were on top for most of the second half until Anthony Thompson pulled off a great catch and found John O’Malley who took and converted a mark four minutes from time. 

And it was O’Malley who punched the final point in a tense finish where St Michael’s Martin McElhinney was hauled down as he went flying through the middle and the free was blazed hard but blocked by the Naomh Conaill defence as referee Marc Brown called time. 

The first half was very evenly contested with Dermot Molloy and Tiarnan Ward swapping points with the impressive Michael McGinley as the sides tied on a score of 0-2 each after five minutes. 

Hughie Gallagher and Max Roarty exchanged points as both sides decided attack was the best form of defence in the open affair. 

Edward O’Reilly was on the target twice for the visitors, but this was cancelled by some well-struck points from Naomh Conaill’s ex-dual player Leo Dunphy as the home side crept into a 0-7 to 0-5 lead. 

But it was then Naomh Conaill struck for the crucial score when a high diagonal ball was fisted to the St Michael’s net by Boyle. 

Adrift by five points, St Michael’s fought back with points from McGinley and a McElhinney who blazed over the bar with Roarty inside in a good position as Naom Conaill led by 1-7 to 0-7 at the break. 

The scoring rate may have dropped in the second half, but it was really watchable end-to-end stuff. 

Boyle and Molloy increased Naomh Conaill’s lead to 1-9 to 0-7 but these were their last scores for 18 minutes as St Michael’s took over and hit points from veteran Martin Breslin - a monster effort from Paul Johnston-McGinley and a Max Roarty effort that somehow flew over the bar. 

Only a point between the sides as Naomh Conaill led by 1-9 to 0-11. Goalkeeper Stephen McGrath made a timely double save in a frenetic melee in the Naomh Conaill square. 

But enter Thompson and O’Malley to guide the home side to a narrow victory and keep their unbeaten record. 

Scorers - Naomh Conaill: Neil Francis Boyle 1-2; Leo Dunphy 0-4; Dermot Molloy 1f, and Tiarnan Ward 0-2 each; Hugh Gallagher 0-1. St Michael’s: Michael McGinley 0-3; Edward O’Reilly 1f, Martin McElhinney, and Max Roarty 0-2 each; Martin Breslin and Paul Johnston 0-1 each. 

Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Jason Campbell, A J Gallagher, Ultan Doherty; Conor Roarty, Anthony Thompson, Neil Francis Boyle; Hugh Gallagher, Keelan McGill; Daniel Gildea, Tiarnan Ward, Dermot Molloy; Brendan McDyer, Leo Dunphy, John O’Malley. Subs: Daniel Brown for Molloy (57). 

St Michael’s: Packie O’Neill; Jamie Hunter, Chris McElhinney, Paddy McGinley; Max Roarty, Ciaran Kelly, Martin Breslin; Michael McGinley, Colin McFadden; Paul Johnston, Edward O’Reilly, Owen Kelly; Andrew Kelly, Martin McElhinney, Antoin McFadden. Subs: Stephen Doak for Owen Kelly (HT); Michael Cannon for Ciaran Kelly (46). 

Referee: Marc Brown (Four Masters)