Naomh Conaill power on in second half to defeat Kilcar in Towney

In another classic game of football in Towney, Naomh Conaill came out on top thanks to a brilliant second half display against the wind.

Kilcar had done really well against the strong wind in the opening half to be just a point down but the breeze dropped a little and the Naomh Conaill side upped their game to run out winners in the end.

Despite playing against the gale force wind and rain Ryan McHugh opened the scoring for Kilcar on four minutes.

There were 11 minutes on the clock before Shea Malone had the opening Naomh Conaill point from a '45'. John O'Malley quickly followed with a two pointer and Eoghan McGettigan made it 4-1 on 15 minutes.

But Naomh Conaill were struggling to find the range. Ryan McShane had a very good score at the other and then Odhran Doherty and Shea Malone stretched the visitors' lead to four.

But in the final 10 minutes of the opening half Kilcar really showed their worth with Ryan McShane and Ryan McHugh involved in everything. McHugh hit a good free from 30m before Conor Doherty fisted over to cut the lead to two.

In the final minutes of the half Ciaran McGinley hit a fifth point and Ryan McHugh hit a monster two point free into the wind to see Kilcar a point up with 31 minutes played.

Naomh Conaill responded with two points from Finnbarr Roarty and Brendan McDyer and the best action of the half came with the final play. Naomh Conaill hit a high ball in which Seanie Boyle punched away. It fell to Shea Malone but his effort from point blank range was brilliantly blocked by Seanie Boyle as referee Enda McFeely called halt to the half.

Half-time: Kilcar 0-7, Naomh Conaill 0-8.

The second half was a different affair as Naomh Conaill introduced Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí, who had a huge impact.

Michael Gallagher levelled the game but by the 41st minute Naomh Conaill were in control. Kevin and Eoghan McGettigan hit points before Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí played a one-two to fire to the Kilcar net.

Jack Hegarty had a Kilcar point but Naomh Conaill were beginning to dominate possession. Mac Ceallabhuí added a point before Jack Hegarty and Shea Malone traded scores.

Jack Hegarty hit a monster two pointer to cut the lead to three but immediate Mac Ceallabhuí replied. The three and four point margin remained up until the 59th minute when a high ball into the Naomh Conaill area was broken and Oran Hegarty fired low to the net to leave just a point between the sides, 1-14 to 1-13.

But Naomh Conaill then showed their worth with four points without reply, two from Eoghan McGettigan and two from the excellent Odhran Doherty to close out a great game of football.

Kilcar scorers: Ryan McHugh 0-5,1tpf,2f; Jack Hegarty 0-4,1tp; Oran Hegarty 1-0; Ryan McShane, Conor Doherty, Michael Gallagher, Ciaran McGinley 0-1 each.

Naomh Conaill scorers: Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí 1-2; Eoghan McGettigan 0-5,1f; Shea Malone 0-3,1f,1'45'; Odhran Doherty 0-3; John O'Malley 0-2,tp; Kevin McGettigan, Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McDyer 0-1 each.

Kilcar: Seanie Boyle; Eoghan Cormach, Ben Rafferty, Ryan O'Donnell; Ryan McShane, Brian O'Donnell, Gary Molloy; Ciaran McGinley, Eoin McHugh; Conor Doherty, Ryan McHugh, Oran Doogan; Jack Hegarty, Conor O'Donnell, Michael Gallagher.

Subs: Liam McLaughlin for C O'Donnell (33); Mark McHugh for B Rafferty (48); Oran Hegarty for O Doogan (54).

Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Ultan Doherty, AJ Gallagher, Kevin McGettigan; Eunan Doherty, Finnbarr Roarty, Max Campbell; Kieran Gallagher, Daithi Molloy; Brendan McDyer, Eoghan McGettigan, Odhran Doherty; John O'Malley, Shea Malone, Charles McGuinness.

Subs: Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí and Shean Roarty for McGuinness and AJ Gallagher (both ht); Ciaran Thompson for McDyer (44); Mark McDevitt for O'Malley (54); Keelan McGill for M Campbell (60)

Referee: Enda McFeely (MacCumhaill's)