Mogan powers St Naul’s to victory over Red Hughs

It was a slow burner but once St Naul’s got their shooting boots sorted out they ran out easy winners against Red Hughs in the Intermediate Championship opening game in Mountcharles on Sunday.

The rain disappeared as the senior teams took to the field and it looked as if the home side would take control when Brendan McCole lofted the first score with his left boot in the first minute.

However, his colleagues did not have the same accuracy and by half-time they had registered 10 wides and two more dropping short.

In contrast Red Hughs were clinical, especially Jack Gillespie with his mighty left boot. Tim Callaghan from a free and play had them in front on nine minutes and Jack Gillespie hit his first two pointer on 15 minutes to put them three ahead.

Ian Campbell and Peadar Mogan pegged back points but Gillespie then found space in front of the St Naul’s goals to rattle home a goal which was quickly followed by a Luke Kelly ‘45’.

St Naul’s struck back with Peadar Mogan finding the Red Hughs net off a post and Gavin Mulrean pointed from outside the arc to level matters at 1-5 each.

But it was Red Hughs who finished the half better with Jack Gallagher hitting another two pointer and Luke Kelly another ‘45’ to leave the visitors ahead by 1-8 to 1-5 at the break and fully worthy of the lead.

When Cathair Browne stretched that lead within minutes of the restart it looked bad for St Naul’s but suddenly they began to find the range. Declan Duignan pointed and Gavin Mulreany hit another two point free.

Jack Gillespie pushed Red Hughs two clear but a two pointer from Declan Duignan had the game all square again on 38 minutes.

Tim Callaghan almost had a second Red Hughs goal but he was denied by Mulreany but did fire over the rebound for the lead once more.

However, that was to be the visitors’ last score as St Naul’s, and Peadar Mogan, took control. Mogan fired over a two pointer and this was followed by a point from Duignan and a monster two point free from Mulreany from fully 60 yards.

Mogan then waltzed through to fire home a second goal and in the final minutes Martin Breslin and Thomas White (2) added the final scores.

St Naul’s scorers: Peadar Mogan 2-3,1tp; Gavin Mulreany 0-6,3tpf; Declan Duignan 0-4,1tp; Thomas White 0-2; Martin Breslin, Brendan McCole, Ian Campbell 0-1 each.

Red Hughs scorers: Jack Gillespie 1-5,2tp; Tim Callaghan 0-3,1f; Luke Kelly 0-2,2’45’; Cathair Browne 0-1.

St Naul’s: Gavin Mulreany; Ryan Coughlan, Patrick Craig, Martin Breslin; Michael Coughlan, Brendan McCole, Daniel Gallagher; Ian Campbell, Barry Griffin; Tommy Friel, Peadar Mogan, Rory Kennedy; Darragh Reilly, Declan Duignan, Joe Campbell.

Sub: Thomas White for Reilly (35).

Red Hughs: Luke Kelly; Adam Doherty, Jason Callaghan, Conor Galvin; Thomas McMenamin, Darragh McMenamin, Aaron McGlinchey; Steven McBride, Conor Gallagher; Liam Carlin, Jack Gillespie, Gareth McGill; Cathair Browne, Tim Callaghan, Shane Gallagher.

Sub: Calvin Bradley for McGill (50).

Referee: Daniel Carlin (N Padraig, Lifford)