Glenfin survive in top flight with narrow win over St Naul's in Tirconaill Park

Glenfin didn’t have their shooting boots with them in Tirconaill Park but they still survived against a very understrength St Naul’s outfit, who will have to play Cloughaneely in the relegation final.

St Naul’s really gave their all and had the first three points of the game but once Glenfin got going they were never headed again. Glenfin had 15 wides but still had enough scoring power through their top performers Shaun Ward and Luke McGlynn.

St Naul’s got the perfect start with Gavin Mulreany pointing a free from just inside the 45m line in the first minute and by the ninth minute they were three ahead with Ian Campbell landing a monster effort from well outside the 45 and Declan Duignan another from close to the sideline.

Stephen Ward was yellow carded for stopping Peadar Mogan while Glenfin found shooting difficult with Shaun Ward wide from frees. By half-time they would have registered 10 wides.

It took them until the 21st minute to get on the board with Luke McGlynn punishing after the St Naul’s defence overcarried.

Within four more minutes Glenfin were in front through Shaun Ward, Daniel Marley (free) and Odhran McGlynn.

Joe Campbell landed another mighty point for St Naul’s but Gavin Mulreany was off target with two frees.

In the last few minutes of the half Glenfin went three clear through a Shaun Ward free from 45m, Luke McGlynn with a fisted effort and another Shaun Ward free from close to the sideline.

Half-time: Glenfin 0-7, St Naul’s 0-4.

St Naul’s again started the second half well with an Ian Campbell point. Glenfin replied with Jack Long getting forward to win the break after a high ball to fire over. However, Joe Campbell replied with another mighty effort. Gavin Mulreany had the chance to cut the lead  to the minimum but was just off target.

The margin was down to one on 45 minutes when Peadar Mogan coveted a free but Luke McGlynn stepped up to also convert from a free four minutes later.

With six minutes left Mogan, who really impressed, cut the lead to one once again but Luke McGlynn again pushed the margin to two with three minutes left.

Both sides had chances in the final frantic minutes with a couple of high balls into the Glenfin goalmouth but they survived.

They will look back on the game and feel they should have won easier with 15 wides while St Naul’s, without so many players, really put it up to Glenfin. They will now have to raise their game again for the relegation final against Cloughaneely.

Both sides finished with 14 men as Daniel Gallagher for St Naul’s and Luke McGlynn, Glenfin were black carded.

Glenfin scorers: Luke McGlynn 0-4,2f; Shaun Ward 0-3,2f; Jack Long, Odhran McGlynn, Daniel Marley (f) 0-1 each.

St Naul’s scorers: Ian Campbell, Joe Campbell, Peadar Mogan (1f) 0-2 each; Declan Duignan, Gavin Mulreany (f) 0-1 each.

Glenfin: Kaine McGlynn; John Harkin, Ross Marley, Jack Long; Stephen Carr, Frank McGlynn, Odhran McGlynn; Stephen Ward, Jason Morrow; Daniel Marley, Luke McGlynn, Shaun Ward; Ciaran Brady, Gerard Ward, Odhran O’Connor.

Subs: Aaron McGlynn for Brady (40); Oisin McGlynn for A McGlynn (51); Shane McGinty for R Marley (55)

St Naul’s: Gavin Mulreany; John Rose, Niall Prendiville, Daniel Gallagher; Kian McCabe, John Relihan, Oisin Mogan; Peadar Mogan, Michael Coughlan; Joe Campbell, Ian Campbell, Martin Breslin; Shane Conneely, Declan Duignan, Johnathan O’Driscoll.

Subs: Thomas White for O’Driscoll (38); Danny McDyre for Conneely (51).

Referee: Ryan Walsh (Bundoran)