Brace of second half goals enough to see Ardara safe in top flight after win over St Naul's

Two second half goals in the space of five minutes were the key scores in this deserved victory for Ardara over wasteful St Naul's in the Michael Murphy senior championship relegation play-off at a windy Fintra.

Ardara 3-7
St Naul's 0-9

Super sub Lorcan O'Donnell was only on the field for about 20 seconds when he found himself one on one with Naul's keeper Gavin Mulreany.

O'Donnell cooly slid the ball to the net to put wind assisted Ardara into a 2-6 to 0-7 lead in the 43rd minute.

That goal came after sustained St Naul's pressure and was a severe blow to them.

But it got even worse for St Naul's five minutes later when young Shane Whyte finished a CJ Molloy cross to the net to effectively seal the match and Ardara’s place in the top flight for another year.

Ardara were worthy winners but a big talking point during and after the game was the shambles that was the St Naul's team named on the official programme.

Only two players lined out with their correct numbers and they were keeper Gavin Mulreany and midfielder Stephen Griffin.

Even more bizarre was the naming of Daniel Brennan at corner forward. Brennan is currently playing with Kilmacud Crokes in Dublin.

Naul's had the benefit of a strong breeze in the opening half and hit early points from Stuart Johnston and a well struck long range free from Gavin Mulreany, making a welcome return to the Naul’s team.

But Ardara responded swiftly with two neatly struck points from Ardara wing back Robbie Adair.

Stephen Griffin put Naul's back in front-before Ardara struck for the first of three killer goals. White's effort put Ardara into a lead they never lost and left Naul's chasing the game thereafter.

It came from a swift counter attack involving Paul Walsh, CJ Molloy and ended with Kevin Whyte scrambling the ball to the Naul's net to put Ardara in front by 1-2 to 0-3.

Ian Campbell hit back with a point for St Naul's, which was quickly cancelled by a similar effort from Paul Walsh for Ardara.

A Peadar Mogan effort caused a bit of debate before referee Martin Coll waved it wide as CJ Molloy increased Ardara's lead and Mulreany finished out the half with a long range free just before the break as Ardara led by 1-4 to 0-5 at the break.

Milford edge classic encounter with Bundoran to stay in senior championship

It took extra-time to see Milford through after Bundoran staged a remarkable recovery. And they looked to be on their way to victory going five up in extra-time but Milford with Kane Barrett in fine form, steadied to win out in the end

St Naul's emerged strongly and took the fight to Ardara and were rewarded with points from Stephen Griffin to level matters.

But that was as good as it got for them as they could only manage two more points in the entire second half.

Ardara lost Paddy McGrath to a black card but Naul's were not able to take advantage of his absence at a key moment in the game.

Naul's had a very good chance of a goal in the 45th minute when Michael Coughlan was through but Ardara ‘keeper Matthew McGlynn made a fine save. Ardara would go up the field and John Ross Molloy would push the lead to two, 1-6 to 0-7.

But then came the two goals that effectively decided this affair as Ardara eased home to a comfortable victory against a St Naul's side who will rue those ten wides to their opponents total of five.

St Naul’s will play Bundoran in the final relegation play-off to see who remains in the top flight.

Ardara scorers: Kevin Whyte 1-0: Shane Whyte 1-0; Lorcan O'Donnelll 1-0; C J Molloy 0-3,1f; Robbie Adair 0-2; Paul Walsh,  John Ross Molloy 0-1each.

St Naul's scorers: Stephen Griffin 0-2,1f; Gavin Mulreaney 0-2,2f; Peadar Mogan 0-2; Stuart Johnston, Ian Campbell, Declan Duignan 0-1 each.

Ardara: Matthew McGlynn; Paddy McGrath, Joe Melly, Shane Whyte; Nicholas Breslin, JR Molloy, Robbie Adair; Tony Harkin,  Conor Classon; Kevin Whyte, Paul Walsh, Matthew Sweeney; Tomas Boyle, CJ Molloy, Oisin O'Donnell. Subs: Lorcan O'Donnell for Matthew Sweeney (42), Paul Waters for Paul Walsh (48), Nicholas Maguire for Nicholas Breslin (57)

St Naul's: Gavin Mulreany; Dermot Gallagher, Barry Griffin, Conor McBrearty; Martin Breslin, John Rose, Michael Coughlan; Stephen Griffin Brendan McCole; Stuart Johnston, Ian Campbell, Cathal Lowther; Shane Conneely, Peadar Mogan, Kyle Campbell. Subs: Declan Duignan for Cathal Lowther (48); Joe Campbell for Shane Conneely (56)

Referee: Martin Coll (Gaoth Dobhair)