Dream debut for Cloughaneely teen with hat-trick against St Naul's in one-point win

Remember the name! Donnachadh Ó Baoighil had a dream first appearance for Cloughaneely as he fired a hat-trick of goals - including a late winner - as they opened Division 2 with a narrow win over St Naul’s.

The teen’s personal haul of 3-2 in all meant disappointment for the Mountcharles side, who were inspired by Stephen Griffin, who bagged 11 points in all in Falcarragh.

St Naul’s started well with two points coming from Thomas White in the opening five minutes before Shaun McGarvey scored the first two-pointer of the evening for the home side to equalise the game momentarily.

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Griffin then put another point on the board for St Naul’s, followed by another from Thomas White and Griffin then registered the first two-pointer for a four-point lead. A point from a Shaun McGarvey free kick reduced the deficit once more, and another free kick from McGarvey dropped short only to be picked up by Ó Baoighill who found the back of the net leaving the teams level once more, 1-3 to 0-6.

Griffin would go on to score a further two-pointer along with a point and there was a Jonathan O'Driscoll score before the end of the half. But it was the home side who finished the stronger with a point from McGarvey and wing half- back, Cormac Coyle and Donnachadh Ó Baoighill. Ó Baoighill scored another goal giving Cloughaneely a two-point lead heading for the dressing rooms at half time at 2-6 to 0-10.

It was Ó Baoighill who picked up the first point of the second half from a free kick which was quickly followed by four points from Griffin and one from White before Michéal McHugh answered with a point for Cloughaneely.

However, Griffin increased the lead to two points soon after for St Naul’s with the finish line in sight. With two minutes left in the game, it looked as if the visitors would take the two league points, but a pass from Conor Coyle to Ó Baoighill, who once again found the back of the net ensured a one point win for the home side.

Cloughaneely scorers: Donnachadh Ó Baoighill 3-2, 0-1f; Shaun McGarvey 0-4f, 2ptf; Cormac Coyle and Michéal McHugh (0-1)
St Nauls scorers: Stephen Griffin 0-11, 0-2f, 3 2ptf; Thomas White 0-4;, Jonathan O'Driscoll 0-1.

Cloughaneely: Shaun McClafferty; Remy Moran, Cian McFadden, Seamus Doogan; Cormac Coyle, Darren McGeever, Michéal McHugh; Tomás Ó Raghallaigh, Shaun Curran; Sean Geaney, Donnachadh Ó Baoighill, Conor Coyle; Ciaran Scanlon, Shaun McGarvey, David Geaney. Subs: Lorcan McGee for McGarvey (29), Pádraig Coyle for S Geaney (42), Stephen Curran for McGeever (49), Patrick Doohan for D Geaney (52)
St Naul’s: Joe Campbell; Barry Burke, Kyle Campbell, Ryan Coughlan; Kevin Rose, Oisín Mogan, Thomas White; Ian Campbell, Martin Breslin; Stuart Johnston, Declan Duignan, Jonathan O'Driscoll; Barry Rose, Stephen Griffin, Shane Connolly. Subs: Rory Kennedy for I Campbell (7), Michael Coughlan for Johnston (38), Patrick Craig for K Rose (53)
Referee: Anthony Finn (Naomh Colmcille)