Bundoran claim vital win on home soil against Red  Hughs

Realt na Mara secured their second win in Gaelic Park to boost their chances of a quarter final-place in this year's Intermediate Championship. The home side produced a spirited second half performance despite being reduced to 14 men on 37 minutes when they lost midfielder Ciaran McCaughey. 

Red Hughs started the brighter and a long ball from Shane Gallagher found Stephen McMenamin who finished well from a mark. Bundoran were level almost immediately when Anton Govorov reacted quickly to slot over from close range. Michael McEniff edged his side in front with a fine effort from out on the right  and Shane Mc Gowan put Bundoran two up when he somehow rescued a hospital pass to loft over with 10 mins gone.The home team were dealt a blow when they lost their full-back Johnny Boyle, who was replaced by Lee Smyth two minutes later..

Red Hughs, who were playing against a strong wind, were turned over by an excellent Timmy Govorov interception and from the resultant attack Oisin Walsh hit a monster effort to put three between the sides.

The telling score of the game arrived on 15 mins when Walsh tried his hand at another long range effort but this time it hit the upright and bounced back into play where Anton Govorov once again reacted quickest to volley past Luke Kelly to the Red Hughs net.

Jamie Brennan posted his first score on 16 mins with a well taken free.The home side looked comfortable at this stage but an inspirational score from James Doherty when he beat three Bundoran defenders to split the posts gave the visitors a much needed boost. Bundoran became very wasteful during this period and a Calvin Bradley free reduced the deficit to five and the visitors were rewarded for their best period of possession  with an excellent point from the lively Cathair Browne on the stroke of half-time.

Half-time: Realt na Mara 1-5 Red Hughs 0-4

Red Hughs started the second half in determined fashion and a wonderful one handed catch among a sea of Bundoran defenders by Stephen McMenamin resulted in him kicking over another mark.

With the Seasiders being reduced to 14 players and playing against the elements things did not look good but a fine turnover by Maitiu Tierney set up Jamie Brennan for his first score from play on 40 mins.

A Bradley free was soon cancelled out by another Brennan score from play. Brennan hit his fourth point from a placed ball to leave five  between the sides with 10 minutes remaining. Timmy Govorov capped an influential performance with a good score on 51 mins. Red Hughs never gave up and began to launch a lot of long balls in around the home side’s rearguard and were rewarded when Bradley pointed on 56 mins. Second half substitute Paul Brennan stormed through the visitors defence on 59 mins to hit Bundoran’s final score. Red Hughs tried hard in the closing minutes to find a goal but the best they could do was a strike from Bradley that found too much air and sailed over the bar and therefore extinguished any chance of an unlikely comeback. 

Realt na Mara scorers:  Anton Govorov 1-1; Jamie Brennan 0-4,2f; M McEniff, Timmy Govorov, Shane Mc Gowan, Oisin Walsh, Paul Brennan 0-1 each.

Red Hughs scorers:  Calvin Bradley 0-4,2f; Stephen McMenamin 0-2,2m; James Doherty, Cathair Browne 0-1 each.

Realt na Mara: Conor Carty; Maitiu Tierney, Johnny Boyle, Matthew Duffy; Timmy Govorov, Shane McGowan, Oisin Walsh; Ciaran McCaughey, Niall Carr; Kyle McNulty, Jamie Brennan, Cian McEniff; Anton Govorov, Michael McEniff, Darragh Hoey.

Subs: Lee Smyth for J Boyle (12,inj); Paul Brennan for M Tierney (43);  Ryan McGloin for A Govorov (60).

Red Hughs: Luke Kelly; James Callaghan, Daire McMenamin, Aaron McGlinchey; Cian Gallagher, Peadar McGlinchey, Tommy McMenamin; James Doherty, Cathair Browne; Pauric McMenamin, Gerard Melaugh, Colm Melaugh; Calvin Bradley, Shane Gallagher, Stephen McMenamin. 

Referee: Pat Barrett, Milford.