Four Masters take fifth minor title in-a-row with victory over St Eunan’s

Four Masters added another county minor title with a convincing win over St Eunan’s in Pearse Park, Ardara on Friday night.

When the Letterkenny side turned over just two points ahead after playing with the gale force wind the writing was on the wall.

Four Masters quickly turned the screw with two early second half goals and from then the result was never in doubt.

Four Masters won the toss but elected to play against the strong breeze blowing in from the sea and we wondered if that was a wise decision.

St Eunan’s dominated possession in the opening quarter and had a point after just over a minute from Conall Herron. They then found the going tough with a lot of cross-field passing before Evan Hickey added a second on seven minutes.

They got a great boost a minute later when Odhran Ryan made a great penetrating run and found the corner of the Four Masters net.

Evan Hickey had a half-chance of a second goal on 13 minutes but his effort was block out for a ‘45’ which Evan Daly pointed.

Thomas Lenehan had a very optimistic effort for a two pointer on 17 minutes but almost immediately he fired over the opening Four Masters point. This was quickly followed by a second point from Odhran McMullin after good work from Gethin Mosby.

St Eunan’s had a good chance for a score on 20 minutes but Odhran Ryan was unable to hit the target from 20m and they turned down another great opportunity on 26 minutes. Odhran McMullin was unlucky to see an effort come back off the upright.

Tomás Carr hit a great score into the wind with less than a minute of the first half left and Thomas Lenehan cut the lead to just two points with a free.

Half-time: Four Masters 0-4, St Eunan’s 1-3.

St Eunan’s had failed to score in the second quarter and within three minutes of the restart Four Masters hit the front. Tomás Carr cut through but was well tackled. The ball broke to Thomas Lenehan along the ground and his effort was stopped but Gethin Mosby fired home.

A minute later the Donegal Town boys were in complete control as Conor Griffin rifled home a second goal.

St Eunan’s had two great chances with Oran Ryan short and Evan Daly wide from close-in frees.

Tomás Carr fired a wonderful two pointer which was quickly followed by points from Lenehan (after breach) and Finn Gillespie.

Odhran Ryan had St Eunan’s first score, a free, in 33 minutes when he pointed in the 46th minute but almost immediate Thomas Lenehan replied with a two pointer for Masters to push their lead out to 2-10 to 1-4.

Odhran Ryan had another St Eunan’s free as the game entered the final 11 minutes. Lenehan added another after the ball was moved on for dissent.

Gethin Mosby and Cathal Doherty traded scores in the final 10 minutes.

Four Masters had great performances from Thomas Healy at corner-back; Odhran McMullin, Jack McGroarty, Conor Griffin, Gethin Mosby while senior stars Tomás Carr and Thomas Lenehan were at another level.

Odhran Ryan, Evan Hickey, Evan Daly and Cathal Doherty were best for St Eunan’s.

Four Masters scorers: Thomas Lenehan 0-6,1tp;3f; Gethin Mosby 1-1; Conor Griffin 1-0; Tomás Carr 0-3,1tp; Odhran McMullin, Finn Gillespie 0-1 each.

St Eunan’s scorers: Odhran Ryan 1-2,2f; Conall Herron, Evan Hickey, Evan Daly (45), Cathal Doherty 0-1 each.

Four Masters: Noah Kennedy; Thomas Healy, Ethan McCrea, Eoghan Thomas; Odhran McMullin, Jack McGroarty, Conor Griffin; Rory Doherty, Kian Gallagher; Conal Flannery, Tomás Carr, Thomas McHugh; Finn Gillespie, Gethin Mosby, Thomas Lenehan.

Subs: Jamie McMonagle for F Gillespie (57); Sean Sweeney for McMullin (58); Oran Boyle for Lenehan (59); Fintan James for McHugh (60); Jay Cullen for Mosby (60); Max O’Reilly and Lucas Melly for Thomas and Griffin (both 60+2); Jude McNamee for T Carr (60+3)

St Eunan’s: Danny McKinley; Senan Kelly, Josh Ryan, Naoise Kavanagh; Jack Robinson, Evan Hickey, Harry Shiels; Evan Daly, Max McKeever; Odhran Ryan, Conall Herron, Evan Duffy; Kian Fletcher, Sean Harvey, Cathal Doherty.

Subs: Ronan McMenamin for S Harvey (37); Finn Nolan for K Fletcher (46); Colm Og Breathnach for H Shiels (53)

Referee: Clint Marron (Urris).