Honours shared in classic encounter between Na Rossa and Letterkenny Gaels

 In a classic championship encounter, Na Rossa came behind twice in the eight minutes of added time to claim a deserved draw against Letterkenny Gaels at a windy Madavagh.

Na Rossa 1-11
Letterkenny Gaels 0-14

The home side could have taken all the points with the last attack as the ball came off an upright into the hands of Matthew Smith, who fired his effort just over the cross bar from close range, immediately putting his head in his hands.

My watch had 38 minutes played in the second half at that stage and referee Mark Dorrian brought proceedings to a close from the kick-out in a game that was level on nine occasions.

It ended what was a furiously contested game both on and off the field. The sideline was a busy place with both sets of mentors intermingling and thankfully it didn't boil over - but it was close.

The first half was played in a real championship atmosphere. Na Rossa detailed their young star Oisin Caulfield to man mark Gaels dangerman Ronan Frain and he carried out that role very tightly.

The strong crossfield wind made scores difficult but Cormac Cannon (free) and Paddy Doherty had the Gaels early points before the home side got on board through a swift move finished by John McDyre. Paddy Doherty added his second before Aidan McHugh began finding his feet, converting a mark and a free won by Odhran Molloy to level matters.

Cormac Cannon and McHugh traded frees before Na Rossa went ahead for the first time on 31 minutes, a kick-out fielded by Eugene Molloy and transferred quickly to Aidan McHugh to find the range.

Strong second half performance helps St Eunan's get the better of Naomh Ultan

Peter McGeehin's St. Eunan's produced another impressive display to make it two wins from two in Group B of the Junior A Championship

Before the break Ronan Frain got free for the first time and fired over a good point to leave it all square at the break, 0-5 each.

Shay Doherty and Aidan McHugh traded early second half points before the Gaels went two clear once more, Cormac Cannon hooking over from close range and Anthony Diver with his first touch after coming in as a substitute.

Christian Bonner, also just on the field, replied for Na Rossa - Bonner playing after recovering from an ankle injury.

A minute later Na Rossa had a two point lead, their biggest during the game, when Matthew Smith won a kick-out and sent Oisin Caulfield on a run. He found Cillian Bonner and from close range the corner-forward made no mistake.

But the Gaels response was excellent with three points in two minutes from Kevin Langan, Cormac Cannon and Conor McBrearty from a free which the Na Rossa sideline felt was harsh.

The topsy turvy nature of the game saw Na Rossa hit the next two points from Odhran Molloy and an Aidan McHugh free to edge ahead once again, 1-9 to 0-11 on 53 minutes.

The Na Rossa goal had a narrow escape on 56 minutes when an effort for a point from Diarmuid Cahill almost deceived Martin Molloy. He got a hand to it but it fell to Ronan Frain with the goal gaping but somehome Daniel M Melly blocked his effort for a '45', which Frain fired over to leave it all square once again.

As the game entered added time a magnificent pass from Anthony Diver found Conor McBrearty to take a mark and put the Gaels ahead. John Paul McCready, just in before the end of normal time, levelled for the home side but when Brian Diver fired over from an impossible angle in the seventh minute of added time it looked curtains for Na Rossa.

But then came the dramatic final passage of play with Matthew Smith giving his side a share of the spoils.

The result means that Letterkenny  Gaels are well positioned to top their section and make the semi-finals while Na Rossa go to Moville next weekend needed a result to keep their championship hopes alive.

Na Rossa scorers:  Aidan McHugh 0-6,3f,1m; Cillian Bonner 1-0; John McDyre, Odhran Molloy, Christian Bonner, JP McCready, Matthew Smith 0-1 each.

Letterkenny Gaels scorers: Cormac Cannon 0-4,2f; Paddy Doherty, Ronan Frain (one '45'), Conor McBrearty (f,m) 0-2 each; Kevin Langan, Brian Diver, Shay Doherty, Anthony Diver 0-1 each

Na Rossa: Martin Molloy; Daniel M Melly, Denis O'Donnell, Brian O'Donnell; Mark Bonner, Johnny  Bonner, Adam McHugh; Eugene Molloy, John McDyre; Ryan Hennessey, Oisin Caulfield, Matthew Smith; Cillian Bonner, Aidan McHugh, Odhran Molloy. Subs: Christian Bonner for Hennessey (38); John Paul McCready for Christian Bonner (59).

Letterkenny Gaels: Ryan Graham; Shaun Crossan, Niall Diver, Conor Browne; Sean McDonagh, Ray Quinn, Diarmuid Ó O’Cathail; Kevin Langan, Paddy Doherty; Brian Diver, Darren Hunter, Cormac Cannon; Ronan Frain, Conor McBrearty, Shay Doherty. Sub: Anthony Diver for S Doherty (39).

REFEREE: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhánada)