Red Hughs are still alive and kicking after their win in Falcarragh

Red Hughs are not out of the running just yet following their win over Cloughaneely which keeps their hopes of Division 2 survival alive with two games to play. 

In a ding-dong clash from the first whistle, Red Hughs hit an incredible 1-3 without reply in the closing six minutes to emerge victorious with four points to spare over the locals in St Finnian’s Park in Falcarragh. 

Livewire wing-forward Liam Carlin, Pauric McMenamin, and Calvin Bradley got the late charge underway before Carlin capped an all-around top-class game and sealed the win with a super goal on the break.

The goal propelled Red Hughs into a 1-11 to 1-8 lead before Tiernan Kelly struck the insurance point for what was only his team’s second win of the entire league campaign.

And with two games still to play, Ardara at home and Naomh Muire Lower Rosses away, Red Hughs are in with a chance of avoiding taking up two of the automatic relegation places.

If Red Hughs win their two games and Cloughaneely loses to Milford in their last game, it is Cloughaneely who will join already relegated Na Rossa in Division 3 next season.

And Red Hughs will go into a promotion-relegation play-off with the third-placed team in Division 3, Naomh Bríd.

Cloughaneely led by three points, 0-7 to 0-4, after Ciaran Coll hit three late scores for the locals who lost their top forward to a nasty-looking knee injury in the opening half.  

Liam Carlin, Ryan Kelly, Tiernan Kelly, and Colm Melaugh kicked the first-half points for the away side. 

Cathal McGeever, Shaun Curran, and John Fitzgerald were the other Cloughaneely scorers in the opening half. 

Ciaran Coll extended the Cloughaneely lead on 44 minutes for the only white flag in the third quarter. 

But with James Doherty and Pauric McMenamin driving them forward, Red Hughs finally found the range and they posted four unanswered points to tie up the game with under five minutes of normal time remaining. 

However, they were rocked shortly after when  Cathal McGeever got a fist to a high ball from Coll into the goalmouth for the game’s opening goal. 

That restored the locals to a three-point advantage as they led 1-8 to 0-8 with the clock ticking.

Cloughaneely did not score again for the remaining three minutes of normal time, and the six minutes of additional time added by referee Robbie O’Donnell. 

But Red Hughs held on a sealed a remarkable win against Cloughaneely.

Cloughaneely scorers: Cathal McGeever 1-1, 1M; Ciaran Coll 0-4, 2f; Shaun Curran, Darren Ferry, John Fitzgerald 0-1 each. Red Hughs scorers: Liam Carlin 1-2, 1f; Pauric McMenamin, Tiernan Kelly, and Paul Melaugh 0-2 each; Gerard Melaugh, Ryan Kelly, Aaron McGlinchey, Luke Kelly (F), and Calvin Bradley (F) 0 -1 each. 

Cloughaneely: Shaun McCafferty, Remy Moran, Ciaran Scanlon, Michael Fitzgerald; Cian McFadden, Shaun Curran, Conor Coyle; Ethan Friel, Darren McGeever; Sean Geaney, Darren Ferry, Ciaran Coll; Padraig Coyle, Cathal McGeever, John Fitzgerald. Sub: Sean Doogan for J Fitzgerald (26 mins). 

Red Hughs: Luke Kelly; Jason Callaghan, Darren McMenamin, Aaron McGlinchey; James Doherty, Pauric McMenamin, Tiernan Kelly; Thomas McMenamin, Ryan Kelly; Bryan Irwin, Colm Melaugh, Liam Carlin; Colm Melaugh, Calvin Bradley, Shane Gallagher. Sub: Sean Ward for R Kelly (33 mins)