Ardara retain senior status with a narrow win over Killybegs

Ardara secured senior status for another year at the expense of Killybegs with a one-point win in the relegation semi-final in Towney on Saturday.

An early Seamus Óg Byrne goal and two two-pointers from Odhran McGuinness had Killybegs on top early on, but a good second quarter from Ardara, including a Shane Sweeney penalty, had them ahead before Hugh McFadden’s two-point free in added time left it 1-7 apiece at the break.

And while the Fishermen got three ahead, Ardara levelled again and late two-pointers from Karl Joseph Molloy and McFadden left it 1-14 each on 60 minutes before Kyle McHugh stepped forward to get the winning score.

Ardara got the first score on two minutes after a bit of patient play, with Josh Malley finishing off a fine move, but Odhran McGuinness quickly replied with a two-pointer from play.

And soon after that, a ball from near the sideline from Evan Broderick zipped across the square, and Seamus Óg Byrne was free to palm in from close range.

Eoghan ‘Ban’ McNelis kicked a two-point free, but McGuinness got his second from outside the arc for a five-point lead after a good opening ten minutes from Pauric Bonner’s men.

But Ardara grew into the game further after this, with Malley and John Ross Molloy both splitting the posts from the left.

Cailum Malley converted next, and when Darragh Hennigan’s shot for goal was denied by a foot block, Mark Dorrian signalled for a penalty.

Shane Sweeney stepped up, and fired low into the bottom left corner, sending Josh Colyer the wrong way.

They almost had a second when Karl Joseph Molloy’s effort was pushed onto the crossbar by Eoghan ‘Larry’ Gallagher, but Karl Joseph Molloy did put them two ahead from a free.

But after a good block from Evan Broderick, Killybegs countered and won a free, which Hugh McFadden converted from the ground outside the arc to level the game at 1-7 apiece with what was the last kick of the half.

Sweeney put the Kentucky men back in front with an effort looking destined for the top corner, but Colyer pushed it over for a point.

Ryan Cunningham levelled things with a free, while an advanced mark from Hugh McFadden put Killybegs back ahead.

Colyer again was to the rescue for his side, as he made a good save from a Sweeney shot, and Karl Joseph Molloy’s rebound was stopped on the line by Ethan Byrne.

McNelis levelled things up again, but a Christopher Mulligan curler and a two-pointer from Broderick put Killybegs back into a good lead.

But Ardara again responded, Lorcan O’Donnell, who was just on the pitch, John Ross Molloy and Karl Joseph Molloy levelled the game up again, before Karl Joseph Molloy kicked a two-pointer on 58 minutes.

Hugh McFadden replied in kind from outside the arc, but Kyle McHugh put Ardara ahead on the hour mark.

And while there were four minutes of added time, both sides were wasteful late on, with Karl Joseph Molloy hitting the post, while Broderick and Jack McSharry both had wides for Killybegs as the final whistle went.

Killybegs will now face Glenfin, who lost to Aodh Ruadh in the other semi-final.

Ardara scorers: Shane Sweeney 1-1, 1-0pen; Karl Joseph Molloy 0-4,1tp,1f; Eoghan ‘Ban’ McNelis 0-3,1tpf; Josh Malley and John Ross Molloy 0-2 each; Cailum Malley, Lorcan O’Donnell and Kyle McHugh 0-1 each

Killybegs scorers: Hugh McFadden 0-5,2tpf; Odhran McGuinness 0-4,2tp; Seamus Óg Byrne 1-0; Ryan Cunningham 0-2,1f; Evan Broderick 0-2,tp; Christopher Mulligan 0-1.

Ardara: Paddy Gallagher; Adam McGill, Shane Whyte, Joe Melly; Kevin Whyte, Paddy McGrath, Darragh Hennigan; Eoghan ‘Larry’ Gallagher, John Ross Molloy; Josh Malley, Kyle McHugh, Cailum Malley; Karl Joseph Molloy, Shane Sweeney, Eoghan ‘Ban’ McNelis.

Subs: Kian McCabe for Whyte (ht), Lorcan O’Donnell for C Malley (52), Danny Walsh for J Malley (54).

Killybegs: Josh Colyer; Charlie Breslin, Cillian Gildea, Ethan Byrne; Ryan Carr, Seamus Byrne, Edward McHugh; Ryan Cunningham, Evan Broderick; Rory Colyer, Jack McSharry, Odhran McGuinness; Conor Cunningham, Hugh McFadden, Christopher Mulligan.

Subs: Paul Cunningham for C Cunningham (49).

Referee: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhánada)