Mulreany two pointers help St Naul’s pick up first points with win over Carndonagh

St Naul’s picked up their first points of the Division 2 League with a hard-fought victory over Carndonagh at Gerard Gallagher Memorial Park, Mountcharles.

They can thank their intercounty ‘keeper Gavin Mulreany, who contributed two monster two pointers in the second half, both from well outside the 50m mark.

Carndonagh had the chance with the last kick of the game, a free moved on 50m, which they elected to take outside the arc but the kick was narrowly missed.

The visitors started well with the first three points but Stephen Griffin had the home side on terms soon after with three of his own.

Carn went ahead again with a number of good points including a two pointer. Michael Coughlan and Barry Rose kept St Naul’s in touch and before half-time they got the only goal of the game. Joe Campbell, who was introduced when he arrived fresh from his exploits with Donegal Town in their final Donegal League game at the Hospital Field, was released by Johnathon O’Driscoll and he sped goalwards to fire to the net.

After playing with the aid of the wind Carndonagh had to settle for a drawn game at the break, St Naul’s 1-5, Carndonagh 0-8.

Declan Duignan, who also played for Donegal Town earlier in the day, pointed on his introduction in the second half but there was very little between the sides throughout the half.

The two monster two pointers from Mulreany proved to be the difference in the end.

St Naul’s scorers: Stephen Griffin 0-4,1f; Gavin Mulreany 0-4, 2tpf; Joe Campbell 1-0; Michael Coughlan, Barry Rose, Declan Duignan, Johnathan O’Driscoll 0-1 each.

Carndonagh scorers: Donal Doherty 0-4; Feargal Doherty, Cian Doherty 0-3 each; Seanan Grant, John O'Callaghan, Eoghan Kelly 0-1 each

St Naul's: Gavin Mulreany; Barry Burke, Kyle Campbell, Ryan Coughlan; Martin Breslin, Oisin Mogan, Thomas White; Michael Coughlan, Barry Griffin; Johnathon O'Driscoll, Shane Connolly, Kevin Rose; Rory Kennedy, Stephen Griffin, Barry Rose.

Subs used: Joe Campbell, Declan Duignan, Patrick Craig.

Carndonagh: Dermot Doherty; Daniel McDaid, James Monagle, Eoghan Kelly; John O'Callaghan, Darragh Brown, Cian Burke; Sean O'Carroll, Donal Doherty; Seanan Grant, Michael Noone, Keith Norris; Cian Doherty, Feargal Doherty, Conor McLaughlin.