Na Rossa secure Donegal IFC status for 2025 with win over Letterkenny Gaels

Late points from John McDyer and the veteran Adrian Hanlon pushed Na Rossa into a comfortable lead as they held out for a one-point win over Letterkenny Gaels to ensure their Intermediate status next season. 

Despite the Letterkenny men leading by a goal at a break, the Na Rossa side, who won last year’s Junior championship, came out fighting in the second half to hit seven points and hold out for the victory. 

Na Rossa started brightly, keeping possession as they played into a stiff breeze, and hit two early scores with John McDyre opening the scoring before Cillian Bonner slotted over a free 20 metres out. 

But Letterkenny Gaels would go on to build strong momentum from here. Shooting into the town end, Kevin Langan raised a white flag from a ‘mark’, while Ronan Frain would hit his side’s second point to bring the sides level.  

The Letterkenny men would then cruise into a two-point advantage through scores from Adam Duffy and Conor Walker but Ryan McCready shirked numerous tackles and pointed well for Na Rossa after a good solo run to keep the sides on even terms.

But Letterkenny Gaels again would cruise into an important lead and spread the gap as Walker found the net from short range to push Gaels' advantage to four.  

Christian Bonner fired over the final point of the half for Na Rossa to keep Patrick Caulfield's men within sight as both teams marched to the dressing rooms at the break with Gaels leading 1-4 to 0-4. 

The second half started cagey with a slow start until Kevin Langan pushed Letterkenny Gaels' lead back to four on the 40th minute. 

Adrian Sweeney sprung from the Na Rossa bench soon after and registered a score via a close-range free to keep a kick of the ball between the sides.  

Another Na Rossa substitute John Paul McCready, like Sweeney, didn't waste time letting his influence be felt in the game as he too would score a close-range free, with Odhran Molloy following it up with a point of his own to leave the bare minimum between the sides.  

Now with momentum behind Na Rossa, John Paul McCready, with the wind behind his back, would bring the sides level via a huge kick from distance which floated over the crossbar to leave it 1-5 to 0-8.  

Liam McAlary pointed well for Gaels to reinstate their lead but once again Na Rossa responded positively with Aidan McHugh pointing a free.  

Na Rossa pushed into a two-point advantage when McDyre found space approaching goal and fisted over, while Adrian Hanlon scored a point after a well-worked team move.  

But the men wearing black and white were reduced to 14 players late on when Matthew Smith received a second yellow card.  

With time running out for Letterkenny Gaels Brian Diver ensured the closing seconds would be nervy as he drilled over a score to leave one between them, but Na Rossa held on to retain their Intermediate status for 2025, bringing their season to a close. 

Na Rossa scorers: John McDyer and JP McCready 0-2 each; Christian Bonner, Ryan McCready, Cillian Bonner, Adrian Sweeney, Adrian Hanlon, Odhran Molloy and Aidan McHugh 0-1 each. 
Letterkenny Gaels: Conor Walker 1-1; Kevin Langan 0-2; Ronan Frain, Adam Duffy, Liam McAlary, and Brian Diver 0-1 each. 

Na Rossa: Aidan McCahill; Johnny Bonner, Daniel M Melly, Ryan McCready; John McDyre, Oisin Caulfield, Matthew Smith; Christian Bonner, Eugene Molloy; Odhran Molloy, Adrian Hanlon, Marc Bonner; JP Breslin, Aidan McHugh, Cillian Bonner. Subs: Adrian Sweeney for Breslin; JP McCready for Marc Bonner; Brian O'Donnell for Molloy. 

Letterkenny Gaels: Shane Graham; Conor Cullen, Ray Quinn, Liam McAlery; Brian Diver, Conor Walker, Diarmaid Ó Cathail; Paddy Doherty, Ben Gallagher; Matthew Winters, Darren Hunter, Adam Duffy; Rowan Smith, Kevin Langan, Ronan Frain. Subs: Shay Doherty for Gallagher; Mark Margey for Graham; Matthew Callaghan for Ó Cathail. 

Referee: Kevin McGinley