St Naul's secure senior championship status over injury-ravaged Bundoran

St Naul's secured their place in the senior championship for 2023 with a comfortable win over injury-ravaged Bundoran at Tirconaill Park, Donegal Town in the final relegation play-off game.

St Naul's 0-13
Bundoran 1-6

The Parish of Inver side took control of this game in the final minutes of the first half, adding three quick points to lead 0-8 to 0-4 at the break.

In the end, that was the turning point as the winners were able to control the second half and never really looked in any danger. The final scoreline was given a better look thanks to Gary Clancy blasting a 13m free to the net with the final play of the game.

Overall, it was the performance of the St Naul's big men who decided the game. After a very poor opening quarter for both sides, Brendan McCole switched onto Jamie Brennan and Peadar Mogan came alive in midfield, spraying great ball forward for Stephen Griffin.

Bundoran, already without a number of top performers including county man Paul Brennan, were hit with a further double blow with Matthew Duffy and Oisin Walsh ruled out through injury. Walsh did come into the game in the second half, but then had to be helped off after a collision between a number of players with less than 10 minutes left.

The sides were level on three occasions in the opening 18 minutes with Gary Clancy (two frees) and Cian McEniff scoring for Bundoran while Stephen Griffin (with a great opening effort from near the sideline) and two from Stuart Johnston for St Naul's.

It was a mistake-riddled opening quarter but it improved for the winners with Griffin putting his side ahead from a free, at the same time as Bundoran lost Brian McHenry to a black card. Peadar Mogan fired over with his left and even though Clancy had another free, two great efforts from Declan Duignan (left and right) and another long range effort for Mogan had St Naul's four ahead at the break.

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By the 40th minute Stephen Griffin with his fist and from a free had increased the lead to six. Bundoran had a great chance to cut the lead when Jamie Brennan found space for once and was through on goal. He had Gary Clancy with him but went for goal only for Gavin Mulreany to stretch out a leg and make a great save.

A minute later Gary Clancy opted to go for goal from a 13m free but it was saved and a great chance was missed to get his side on the scoreboard in the second half.

Martin Breslin fisted a point for a seven point lead before Clancy eventually got Bundoran on the second half scoreboard from play in the 49th minute.

St Naul's were dominant at this stage and a determined John Rose nicked in to set up Martin Breslin for another score as two Bundoran men collided with Oisin Walsh forced off.

Gary Clancy and Stephen Griffin traded scores before Clancy's final act, finding the St Naul's net from a 13m free in the 40th minute, the time added on for long stoppages to injuries to Walsh and Barry Griffin.

Bundoran scorers: Gary Clancy 1-5, all frees; Cian McEniff 0-1.

St Naul's scorers: Stephen Griffin 0-5,2f; Martin Breslin, Stuart Johnston, Peadar Mogan, Declan Duignan 0-2 each.

Bundoran: Conor Carty; Brian McHenry, Johnny Boyle, Adam Gallagher; Kieran Doherty, Shane McGowan, Timmy Govorov; Niall Carr, Cian McEniff; Jakub Machunuik, Dara Hoey, Kyle McNulty; Jamie Brennan, Adam McGlone, Gary Clancy. Subs: Oisin Walsh for Machunuik (43); Richie Morris for Walsh (53).

St Naul's: Gavin Mulreany; Conor McBrearty, Brendan McCole, Cathal Lowther; Martin Breslin, John Rose, Michael Coughlan; Stephen Griffin, Barry Griffin; Stuart Johnston, Ian Campbell, Declan Duignan; Shane Conneely, Peadar Mogan, Kyle Campbell. Subs: Joe Campbell for Conneely (46); Diarmuid Gallagher for B Griffin (60); Lee McBrearty for Lowther (60+7).

Referee: Michael McShane (Kilcar)