Naomh Conaill come good in second half to see off Killybegs in Donegal SFC

Naomh Conaill turned things around in the second half to post victory over a Killybegs side who gave them plenty to think about in the Donegal SFC.

Naomh Conaill 1-12
Killybegs 0-9

The lead had been passed over and back until the first real decisive blow was struck on 45 minutes when Charlie McGuinness had eyes for only the ball as John O’Malley lofted it in and Naomh Conaill were in front on a 1-8 to 0-7 scoreline.

Considering Killybegs were beaten 5-19 to 0-5 scoreline last summer in Glenties, the margins between the teams has considerably shortened, although Naomh Conaill can be content in the fact a win is a win. Their experience more so than anything brought them through.

There was a pretty awkward wind at Davy Brennan Memorial Park that went across the pitch the clubhouse side and even though the home side had most of the ball, it was the team from Fintra who made more economical use of it.

At half-time the score was 0-6 to 0-5 for Killybegs with Martin Regan’s side having trailed by two points on three separate occasions. Although Brendan McDyer had opened the scoring, Killybegs hit back through two McFadden scores and Conor Cunningham’s first of the day for a 0-3 to 0-1 to lead. 

Points followed at both ends, with Charles McGuinness marking to point and Shaun Gorrell replying, then Ethan O’Donnell scoring and John Ban Gallagher hitting back to give Killybegs a 0-5 to 0-3 advantage. McFadden had the best first half goal chance witha  high fetch and drilled his shot, whilst on the turn, narrowly wide.

Leo McLoone’s persistence and Ciaran Thompson looked as though they’d taken Naomh Conaill in level at the break, only for McFadden to pop over a free at the other end which meant it was Killybegs who led 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time.

Naomh Conaill ended up going home with a point from their opening fixture at Glenswilly in a 1-11 to 2-8 draw whilst Killybegs produced a fine 2-13 to 1-13 home win over Glenfin.

With Anthony Thompson introduced at half-time and whatever breeze there was now favouring the hosts, his brother Ciaran and John O’Malley scored in the first seven minutes of part two for a 0-7 to 0-6 Naomh Conaill lead.

Then came the goal from McGuinness and that provided the cushion for Naomh Conaill. The impressive O’Donnell added two more, while McDyer and O’Malley also knocked over in the latter stages. Cunningham and Seamus Óg Byrne were Killybegs’ last two scorers, with Rory Colyer dismissed for two yellows.

Naomh Conaill scorers: Charles McGuinness 1-2, 1m, 1f; Ethan O’Donnell 0-3; Ciaran Thompson 0-2, 1 45; John O’Malley and Brendan McDyer 0-2; Leo McLoone 0-1. 
Killybegs scorers: Hugh McFadden 0-5, 3f; Conor Cunningham 0-2, 2f; Shaun Gorrell, John Ban Gallagher, Seamus Óg Byrne 0-1.

Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Jason Campbell, AJ Gallagher, Stephen Molloy; Ethan O'Donnell, Kevin McGettigan, Eoin Waide; Ciaran Thompson, Keelan McGill; Brendan McDyer, Odhran Doherty, Eunan Doherty; John O'Malley, Charles McGuinness, Leo McLoone. Subs: Anthony Thompson for Campbell (half-time), Dermot Molloy for Gallagher (42), Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí for O Doherty (56), Hughie Gallagher for Molloy (58), Daniel Gildea for McDyer (60+1).

Killybegs: Corey Byrne; Darragh McClean, Seamus Óg Byrne, Christopher Cunningham; Ryan Carr, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, John Ban Gallagher; Evan Broderick, Rory Colyer; Christopher Mulligan, Jack McSharry, Shaun Gorrell; Charlie Breslin, Hugh McFadden, Conor Cunningham. Subs Christopher Murrin for Mulligan (47), Eoin Gallagher for Breslin (59).

Referee: Michael McShane (Kilcar)