Aodh Ruadh continue to learn their lessons - McNulty

In only their second year back in the senior championship, Aodh Ruadh are going to the quarter-finals with a perfect record from the group phase.

For manager John McNulty, the bare statistic of four wins from four only tells a part of the tale.

Aodh Ruadh were in cruise control for a period on Sunday at Milford, but a 1-7 to 0-2 advantage was whittled down and by the end they had to cling by the tips of their fingers to earn a 2-9 to 2-8 win.

“Maybe a bit of complacency came into it,” McNulty told Donegal Live.

“You can not do that at senior championship football. That is another learning curve for these boys.

Aodh Ruadh hold on to avoid a burning at Milford

Milford hit back from eight points down to push Aodh Ruadh all the way as John McNulty's team made it four wins from four in the Senior Football Championship.

“You’re not going to get anything handed to you in the championship - especially not by a team that is fighting for their lives at home. Once Milford got their tails up, it was always going to be difficult for us and the goals gave them a real lift.”

Diarmáid McInerney’s goal helped Aodh Ruadh into a position of authority, but Milford were spurred when Cathal McGettigan netted a penalty. In the late moments of the first half, Rory O’Donnell turned in a second goal and Aodh Ruadh were, suddenly, under pressure.

Nathan Boyle added a second goal for Aodh Ruadh early in the second half and the managed to withstand a big fightback from Milford.

McNulty said: “The big thing for me is that we battled out and got the win. We showed character and that’s very important going into a quarter-final now. We were able to grind it out.

To come out with lessons after four games is brilliant. The big thing is coming out on top of those games. Not letting that game go was very important.

“We are through after four wins but we can still ask the questions in training and we still have plenty to work on.”

Aodh Ruadh returned to the senior ranks having won the 2020 Intermediate crown. McNulty took the controls from Barry Ward for 2022 and could scarcely have hoped for a better maiden season at the helm.

The former KIlcar boss said: “I can’t ask for much more from these boys. We have worked hard to put this together.

“They have bought into everything and they give an honest effort. People forget that this is only their second year back in senior again.”