Milford edge classic encounter with Bundoran to stay in senior championship

In a classic game of football, Milford survived in the top flight after Bundoran's Houdini-like comeback from 12 points down came up just short in Killygordon.

Milford 4-16
Bundoran 3-16
(after extra-time)

Milford looked to be well on their way to surviving in the top flight when they led by 2-7 to 0-1 after 27 minutes but the Seasiders staged a mighty comeback to force extra-time and then went five ahead in the first period, only for Milford to rally and prevail in the end.

Milford dominated for most of the first half yet Bundoran had so many goal chances, only availing of their fifth opportunity on the stroke of half-time.

Kane Barrett was on form in the opening minutes, notching a free and then he got on the end of a good move involving Shane and Darragh Black to palm home the opening goal.

But it was not as if Bundoran didn't have chances. Milford 'keeper Shaun Gallagher did brilliantly to cut out a Jamie Brennan pass to Niall Carr, while Oisin Walsh was through on goal but the pass went astray.

When Dylan Dorrian pointed and Shane Black got through to lob Conor Carty for an easy goal, it looked curtains for the Seasiders.

Niall Carr eventually got them on the board after good work by Timmy Govorov but four unanswered points from Kane Barrett, Shane Black, Cathal McGettigan and Tony McNamee had Milford 2-7 to 0-1 ahead by the 27th minute.

Then came the Bundoran comeback with 1-2 in a couple of minutes, a point by Timmy  Govorov and a goal and point from Jamie Brennan, his point deflected over the bar to leave it 2-7 to 1-3 at the break.

When Kane Barrett had a free after two minutes of the second half, it didn't look good but points from Brennan, Adam McGlone (45) and Brian McHenry cut the lead to five. Barrett made it six again but another Brennan free followed by a Kyle McNulty goal cut the lead to two after 47 minutes.

Shane Black pointed but the lead was down to two with Govorov and Brennan on the mark.

It looked as if Milford would survive when Kane Barrett got his fist to a Lorcan Friel effort for a point and it ended in the net but Bundoran were now on the front foot, thanks to great driving from Jamie Brennan and Timmy Govorov. Niall Carr, Adam McGlone with another '45' and Brennan cut the lead to the minimum.

Conor Carty made a great block to deny Shane Black a fourth goal but Kane Barrett seemed to have won it with a late free, but Bundoran were not to be denied and late points from Adam McGlone and Timmy Govorov sent the game to extra-time.

In the first period Bundoran added two points from Oisin Walsh and Jamie Brennan and then a Brennan effort was deflected onto the crossbar by the Milford 'keeper and Cian McEniff was in to fist to the net.

It looked like a decisive lead but Milford struck back with Tony McNamee swivelling and firing to the net from close range and Kane Barrett added a free that was moved on to leave just one it after the first period - Bundoran 3-16, Milford 412.

Then with the wind at their backs Kane Barrett levelled before Luke Barrett edged Milford ahead and late on Kane Barrett added another free and Cathal McGettigan left three in it at the end.

Bundoran will now meet St Naul's in the final relegation play-off round to decide who stays in the senior championship next year.

Late points send Letterkenny Gaels into Junior A final once more after win over Na Rossa

The Letterkenny side were pushed all the way by Na Rossa, who led by two points at the break after being wind-assisted in the opening half.

Bundoran scorers: Jamie Brennan  1-6,f,m; Timmy Govorov 0-3; Adam McGlone 0-3,2'45s'; Cian McEniff, Kyle McNulty 1-0 each; Niall Carr 0-2; Brian McHenry, Oisin Walsh 0-1 each.

Milford scorers: Kane Barrett 2-9, 5f; Shane Black 1-2; Tony McNamee 1-1; Cathal McGettigan 0-2; Dylan Dorrian, Luke Barrett 0-1 each.

Bundoran: Conor Carty; Brian McHenry, Johnny Boyle, Adam Gallagher; Oisin Walsh, Shane McGowan, Timmy Govorov; Matthew Duffy, Cian McEniff; Jakub Machinuik, Dara Hoey, Kyle McNulty; Jamie Brennan, Niall Carr, Adam McGlone. Subs: Conor Jack McManus for Machinuik (25); Kieran Doherty for Hoey (55).

Milford: Shaun Gallagher; Shay Durning, Conor Coll, Anthony Curran; Gary Merritt, Peter Curran, Dylan Dorrian; Rory O'Donnell, Lorcan Friel; Tony McNamee, Shane Black, Cathal McGettigan; Luke Barrett, Kane Barrett, Darragh Black. Subs: Ryan McMahon for D Black (60+1); Extra-time: Patrick Ferry for Friel (67); Darragh Black for  McNamee (74).

Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary's, Convoy)