Bundoran shock Aodh Ruadh to put Ballyshannon side in relegation peril

The scoreline doesn’t lie. Realt na Mara’s 100 per cent record of not recording a single win in Division 1 was broken as they were worthy winners against their neighbours, Aodh Ruadh.

With Shane McGowan back  for his first game in the black and amber, the home side were on top from the first whistle with their direct style, especially the runs of Oisin Walsh, causing the visitors plenty of trouble.

Aodh Ruadh didn’t help their own cause with some nine wides during the game but apart from the opening 10 minutes, Realt Na Mara were on top. The defeat means that Aodh Ruadh will now play third from top in Division 2, Termon, to stay in the top flight or face relegation.

The opening four points were shared with Eddie Lynch getting the opener for Aodh Ruadh before Oisin Walsh won an Aodh Ruadh kick-out and levelling. Anton Govorov pushed the home side in front from a free won by Niall Carr before Darren Drummond levelled again.

Then three Govorov frees set the pattern for the game. Aodh Ruadh were not able to convert their frees with Jack Gallagher wide from frees and a mark.

Diarmaid McInerney cut the lead but another Govorov free and a well finished effort by Michael McEniff had the home side 0-7 to 0-3 at the break.

Johnny Gethins and Michael McEniff traded early second half points while Kyle McNulty and Eddie Lynch did also. Then came the clinching score as Kyle McNulty, who was brilliant throughout, broke clear and fired past Aaron Cullen with 46 minutes on the clock.

Cian Rooney had a rare point from a free for Aodh Ruadh but McNulty and a Govorov free had the winners eight ahead with six minutes left.

There was some spirit shown by Aodh Ruadh in the final minutes as Bundoran lost Ciaran McCaughey to a black card. Nathan Boyle punished a poor kick-out with a goal and Aidan Sweeny cut the lead to four.

But Kyle McNulty steadied the Bundoran shop and even though Aodh Ruadh finished well all they could muster was another Nathan Boyle point.

Realt na Mara scorers: Kyle McNulty 1-3; Anton Govorov 0-6,6f; Michael McEniff 0-2; Oisin Walsh 0-1. 

Aodh Ruadh scorers: Nathan Boyle 1-1; Eddie Lynch 0-2; Diarmaid McInerney (f), Darren Drummond, Johnny Gethins, Aidan Sweeny, Cian Rooney (f) 0-1 each.

Realt na Mara: Conor Carty; Oisin Walsh, Johnny Boyle, Matthew Duffy; Brendan Oates, Shane McGowan, Timmy Govorov; Ciaran McCaughey, Niall Carr; Adam McGlone, Michael McEniff, Dara Hoey; Maitiu Tierney, Kyle McNulty, Anton Govorov.

Subs: Diarmaid Spratt for Oates ((43); Lee Smyth for Tierney (ht); Matthew Ward for T Govorov (54); Paul Brennan for N Carr (60)

Aodh Ruadh: Aaron Cullen; Aidan Sweeny, Conor Patton, Jason Granaghan; Michael McKenna, Darren Drummond, Niall Murray; Cian Dolan, Eamonn McGrath; Diarmaid McInerney, David Dolan, Johnny Gethins; Eddie Lynch, Jack Gallagher, Darragh Dolan.

Subs: Shane Delahunty for Murray (24); Eoghan Kelly and Nathan Boyle for Darragh Dolan and D McInerney (both 37); Cian Rooney for David Dolan (38); David Dolan for Delahunty (46).

Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary’s, Convoy)