St Michael's squeeze into last eight as St Naul's end up pointless

Following an encounter that had a bit of everything - superb scores, heavy hits, turnovers and enough drama to keep the crowd and the respective benches in full voice to the bitter end - St Michael’s squeezed into the Donegal SFC quarter-finals at St Naul’s

St Naul’s 0-11
St Michael’s 0-13

At the finish it took a magnificent point under pressure from young Hugh O’Donnell and a Michel Langan free in the 63rd minute to seal the deal for Raymond McLaughlin and Cathal Sweeney’s men.

But St Naul’s had their chances- most notably in the 54th minute as the superb Peadar Mogan speared through the St Michael’s defence. He had the option of a point and possibly a goal but chose to pass to sub Barry Rose, who seemed to hesitate and the chance was lost.

And then St Michael’s went down the field to grab those precious points and set up a quarter-final clash with St Eunan’s while plucky St Naul’s have a date with Ardara in the relegation play-offs.

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The visitors were on top at midfield from the off and they eased into a 0-2 to 0-0 lead through Martin McElhinney and Daniel McLaughlin which was quickly cancelled out by similar efforts from Peadar Mogan and Declan Duignan.

The home side were gaining a foothold and the sheer pace of John Rose, Stuart Johnston and Mogan in particular were causing the visitor major problems.

Langan and Mogan swapped points as the pace upped and St Michael’s speedy wing back Carlos O’Reilly put the visitors ahead-a short-lives lead that was levelled through a Stephen Griffin free in real end to end stuff.

The home side looked sharper in the run up to the break and Johnston and Mogan tagged on two well taken efforts as the home side led by 0-6 to 0-4 playing into a slight breeze.

Stung by those late scores, St Michael’s took over again in midfield and hit four points on the trot from Oisin Langan, Colin McFadden, Martin McElhinney and the bustling Antoin McFadden to put them back into a 0-8 to 0-6 lead.

But just when it looked like the momentum had swung towards the towering visitors, St Nual’s dug deep with two superb points from Barry Griffin-with the outside of the boot and John Rose to level matters yet again in 43rd minute.

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It got even better for them when Mogan won and converted a free and Griffin hit a fabulous point from the sideline. The frantic pace never flagged and both sides showed nerves with St Michael’s missing five good chances and the home side coughing up a few vital turnovers.

Langan pegged one back and Antoin McFadden lofted over a fine effort after Stephen Griffin lost possession deep in his own half.

Then on 54 minutes Mogan had his chance which ended with Barry Rose not making full contact and a probable goal chance was missed. The final five minutes were frenetic as both sides surged for victory.

Carlos O’Reilly edged St Michael’s ahead Brendan McCole levelled for Naul’s as the sides tied at 0-11 each.
It was now a question of who held their nerve the best and it was young Hugh O’Donnell who lifted over a great point to put the visitors ahead by 0-12 to 0-11. Langan ensured a two points victory with a late free to seal a truly memorable match.

St Naul’s scorers: Peadar Mogan 0-3, 2f; Stephen Griffin 0-2, 2f; Barry Griffin, Martin Breslin, John Rose, Declan Duignan, Stuart Johnston and Brendan McCole 0-1.
St Michael’s scorers: Michael Langan 0-3,2f; Antoin McFadden and Martin McElhinney 0-2; Hugh O’Donnell, Colin McFadden, Oisin Langan and Daniel McLaughlin 0-1;

St Naul’s: Liam McGroarty; Dermot Gallagher, Barry Griffin, Caolan Gaffney; Martin Breslin, John Rose, Michael Coughlan; Stephen Griffin, Brendan McCole; Stuart Johnston, Ian Campbell, Cathal Lowther; Shane Conneely, Peadar Mogan, Declan Duignan. Subs; Barry Rose for Declan Duignan (43), Kyle Campbell for Cathal Lowther (52).
St Michael’s: Oisin Cannon; Stephen Doak, Liam Paul Ferry, Antoin McFadden; Hugh O’Donnell, Kyle McGarvey, Carlos O’Reilly; Martin Breslin, Michael Langan; Edward O’Reilly, Colin McFadden, Daniel McLaughlin; Andrew Kelly, Martin McElhinney, Oisin Langan. Subs; Michael McGinley for Edward O’Reilly (47), Michael Gallagher for Andrew Kelly (52), Pauric McGinley for Antoin McFadden (60).
Referee: Val Murray (Aodh Ruadh)