Aodh Ruadh hold on to avoid a burning at Milford

Just when Aodh Ruadh were dicing with fire, John McNulty’s side managed to pull their fingers out from the embers.

Milford 2-8
Aodh Ruadh 2-9

Aodh Ruadh move into the quarter-finals of the Donegal SFC with an unblemished record after doing enough and no more to see off Milford on Sunday.

Diarmáid McInerney hit 1-5 for the Ernesiders and Nathan Boyle’s second-half goal proved vital, but the 2020 IFC winners go into the last night with plenty to ponder after almost letting relegation-threatened Milford catch them out.

Pauric Curley’s Milford, knowing their Championship lives were under threat, were in the hunt here when goals from Cathal McGettigan and Rory O’Donnell hauled them back from the brink.

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It looked set for a stroll in the park for Aodh Ruadh when they led by eight, 1-7 to 0-2, after 22 minutes.

McInerney bagged the goal on 17 minutes, palming to the net after a superb move involving Colm Kelly and Philip Patton.

David Dolan, Boyle and a deadly 1-4 from McInerney had Aodh Ruadh firmly in command before Milford hit back.

During their spell of dominance, Aodh Ruadh might have added a second goal, but Boyle thundered against the crossbar and Milford breathed a sigh of relief.

Darragh Black’s early brace briefly had Milford in front before Aodh Ruadh took charge, scoring 1-6 over the next 16 minutes.

Kane Barrett hoofed over in the 23rd minute to ignite the Milford spark again.

By half-time, they were only a point adrift. When O’Donnell was hauled down in the 24th minute, Martin Coll, the referee, had little option but to outstretch the arms and award the home side a penalty. McGettigan coolly dispatched to the bottom corner.

A minute before the break, Milford were in again, O’Donnell tucking in after Black’s burst down the left opened up the chance. When Black centred, O’Donnell side-footed past Peter Boyle. Game on.

Aodh Ruadh arrived in Milford with the perfect three wins from three having disposed of Bundoran, Ardara and St Naul’s while Milford had suffered defeats to Kilcar, St Michael’s and Killybegs. The contrasting fortunes of both would’ve skewed the pre-match odds.

Aodh Ruadh shook their heads clear and, five minutes into the second half, Boyle won a ball over the top and his shot beat Sean Gallagher, the Milford goalkeeper. Dolan had kicked a fine point under pressure, meaning Aodh Ruadh were now 2-8 to 2-3 ahead.

From there to the finish, they added just a solitary McInerney free in the 55th minute.

Milford were within a point and the nerves jangled with Barrett, Shane Black and McGettigan (2) narrowing the margin to the minimum.

A Barrett free left one in it going down the stretch and a frenetic conclusion wasn’t for the faint of heart with a vital interception by Conor Patton to dispossess Barrett on the left sideline proving as vital as any score in the circumstances.

On Aodh Ruadh go to the knockout phase with Milford taking heart from a spirited showing with the relegation play-offs awaiting.

Milford scorers: Cathal McGettigan 1-3, 1-0pen; Rory O’Donnell 1-0; Darragh Black 0-2; Kane Barret 0-2, 1f.

Aodh Ruadh scorers: Diarmáid McInerney 1-5, 3f; Nathan Boyle 1-1; David Dolan 0-2; Philip Patton 0-1.

Milford: Sean Gallagher; Tony Curran, Conor Coll, Conor McHugh; Gary Merritt, Shay Durning, Dylan Dorrian; Eoin O’Donnell, Rory O’Donnell; Cathal McGettigan, Shane Black, Lorcan Friel; Darragh Black, Kane Barrett, Luke Barrett. Subs: Peter Curran for McHugh (half-time), Patrick Ferry for Friel (44).

Aodh Ruadh: Peter Boyle; Mark McGlynn, Conor Patton, Kyle Murray; Michael McKenna, Colm Kelly, Eddie Lynch; Eamonn McGrath, Niall Murray; Diarmáid McInerney, David Dolan, Shane McGrath; Philip Patton, Matt Gillespie, Nathan Boyle. Subs: Johnny Gallagher for Gillespie (45), Donagh McIntyre for McKenna (48).

Referee: Martin Coll (Gaoth Dobhair).