Efficient Naomh Conaill use their experience for valuable win at St Michael’s

Naomh Conaill were both efficient and effective as they moved through the gears to defeat St Michael’s at The Bridge.

St Michael’s 0-9
Naomh Conaill 3-8

Two goals by Charles McGuinness, either end of another from the evergreen Brendan McDyer, paved the way for an eight-point Donegal SFC win.

Martin Regan’s team had to come from behind here, but once they had their noses in front, the Davy Brennan Memorial Park residents never seemed in danger, even if the margin was a little harsh on St Michael’s.

Naomh Conaill have appeared in the last five SFC finals and their powers of endurance was in evidence again.

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The Ballyshannon side recorded their third win from three in the Senior Championship with an impressive display, especially in the second half when they hit 3-9

The opening goal arrived in the 17th minute. Ethan O’Donnell made the initial incision and, after a quick transfer from Jason Campbell, Leo McLoone’s first-time shot crashed down from the crossbar. The lurking McGuinness made no mistake to tap in from close range.

It was a score Naomh Conaill were in need of at the time - but they added a second just six minutes later and would lead 2-3 to 0-4 at the interval.

Again, McLoone was heavily involved and McDyer - a survivor from Naomh Conaill’s first ever SFC triumph in 2005 - sold a dummy before clipping past goalkeeper Oisin Cannon with his left instep.

St Michael’s looked very much in the mood with Martin McElhinney’s mark and Daniel McLaughlin’s free given them a lead after Ciarán Thompson broke the deadlock with a sixth-minute free.

The defensive lay-out of both sides when out of possession meant that patience was needed in abundance.

St Michael’s tacked on an impressive third point when Oisin Langan stylishly found the range from distance after neatly steadying himself when taking receipt of a Michael Langan pass.

The hosts’ response to McGuinness’s goal was perfect. Cannon hurtled the ball down the centre and Colin McFadden arrowed over, but McDyer, who was superb throughout, pulled the rug from beneath the side managed by Raymond McLaughlin and Cathal Sweeney with his goal.

Two minutes into the second half, Naomh Conaill were within a lick of paint of a third goal, O’Donnell’s driving effort hitting the base of the post.

At the other end, St Michael’s might have had a goal themselves but, after Kyle McGarvey opted to play quickly rather than call for a mark, Andrew Kelly’s shot was saved by Stephen McGrath.

Nine minutes from the end, just after McGarvey was black carded, McGuinness batted in a second goal, touching in from Odhrán Doherty’s high ball in from the ’45.

Between the 41st and 55th minutes, Naomh Conaill hit 2-3 to put the game firmly beyond the reach of St Michael’s.

Scorers for St Michael’s: Hugh O’Donnell, Oisin Langan 0-2 each; Michael Langan 0-2, 2f; Daniel McLaughlin 0-1, 1f; Martin McElhinney 0-1, 1m; Colin McFadden 0-1.

Scorers for Naomh Conaill: Charles McGuinness 2-2, 1f; Brendan McDyer 1-3; Ciarán Thompson 0-1, 1f; Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí, Jason Campbell 0-1 each.

St Michael’s: Oisin Cannon; Stephen Doak, Liam Paul Ferry, Patrick McGinley; Hugh O’Donnell, Kyle McGarvey, Antoin McFadden; Oisin Langan, Michael Langan; Michael Gallagher, Colin McFadden, Daniel McLaughlin; Andrew Kelly, Martin McElhinney, Carlos O’Reilly. Subs: Edward O’Reilly for Kelly (41), Martin Breslin for McLaughlin (59).

Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Kevin McGettigan, Jason Campbell, Keelan McGill; Ethan O’Donnell, Anthony Thompson, Eoin Waide; Ciarán Thompson, Leo McLoone; Brendan McDyer, Odhrán Doherty, Eunan Doherty; John O’Malley, Charles McGuinness, Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui. Subs: Stephen Molloy for McGill (38), Dermot Molloy for O.Doherty (51), Daniel Gildea and Hughie Gallagher for McLoone and Mac Ceallabhuí (60).

Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary’s, Convoy).