Two late points from Darragh Hennigan and CJ Molloy in added time sealed the deal for Ardara in a dramatic finale in Gerard Gallagher Memorial Park on Sunday.
It looked like the home side had got over the line when substitute Rory Kennedy finished a six-man move to the net to leave St Naul’s leading by 1-10 to 1-7 with three minutes to go.
But the drama was not over as Ardara hit back from the kick out with Gavin Sweeny smashing the ball to the roof of the net after Naul’s keeper Joe Campbell had 20 seconds earlier superbly saved an effort.
Campbell had a long-range effort just shave the post as the game went into extra time and Ardara just had that little bit more composure.
Christian Ward opened St Naul’s account with a fine effort two minutes for the home side. But this was quickly countered by a well-struck two-pointer to put his side up by a point.
Stephen Griffin levelled matters with a pointed free and Ian Campbell put them a point up with a similar effort. A lull in scoring ensued until the 22nd minute when John Ross Molloy made it all square again.
Ian Campbell landed a fine two pointer from a free and Barry Griffin made it 0-6 to 0-3 as the home team looked the more enterprising side.
A CJ Molloy pointed free narrowed the gap and Hennigan ended the half with a great effort to leave Naul’s leading by 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.
Barry Griffin and Thomas White made it 0-8 to 0-5 as Naul’s seemed to be getting a firm grip on matters. And it was looking good for them when Declan Deignan made it 0-9 to 0-5 midway through the half.
Niall McCrossan narrowed the gap for the visitors before they struck for the first of the game’s three goals. Sweeney played the killer pass to John Ross Molloy, who rifled low and hard to the St Naul’s net. After a sustained period of Naul’s dominance, the game was suddenly level.
Ian Campbell converted a fine free kick to put Naul’s back in front as it got hotter on the field and on the line. CJ Molloy made it all square from a free as the game drew to a close.
A big roar went up from the home side when Rory Kennedy finished a great move to the Ardara net. But the cheers had scarcely died down when Ardara struck back with an equally good goal three minutes from time.
That set the scene for a frenetic finish before Hennigan stayed ice cool before punching his side into the lead for the first time since the third minute. And CJ Molloy’s late free clinched it for Ardara as St Naul’s wondered how they they were caught with a few late sucker punches.
St Naul’s scorers: Ian Campbell 0-5, 1TP, 3f; Rory Kennedy 1-0; Barry Griffin, Barry Rose, Stephen Griffin, Thomas White, and Declan Duignan 0-1 each.
Ardara scorers: C J Molloy 0-5, 1TP, 3fs; John Ross Molloy and Gavin Sweeney 1-1 each; Niall McCrossan 0-2, 1f.
St Naul’s: Joe Campbell; Barry Burke, Kyle Campbell, Ryan Coughlan; Christian Ward, Oisin Mogan, Thomas White; Barry Griffin, Lee McBrearty; Ian Campbell, Stephen Griffin, Stuart Johnston; Barry Rose, Shane Conneely, Jonathan O’Driscoll.
Subs: Declan Duignan for Stuart Johnston (19), Rory Kennedy for Lee McBrearty (37), Conor Campbell for Barry Rose (50).
Ardara: Paddy Gallagher; Anthony Bennett, Shane Whyte, Charlie Bennett; Shane Mooney, Paddy McGrath, Danny Walsh; John Ross Molloy, Tony Harkin; Josh Malley, Paul Walsh, Darragh Hennigan; Niall McCrosan, CJ Molloy, Gavin Sweeney. Subs; Emmett Byrne for Paul Walsh (22), Oisin O’Donnell for Anthony Bennett (39), Eoghan Gallagher for Tony Harkin (49),
Referee: Val Murray (Aodh Ruadh)
