Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin edge thriller against Bundoran in Gaelic Park

The half-time introduction of county star Caolan McColgan who contributed 1-4 was probably the major reason why the Inishowen men gained victory in this closely contested encounter in Gaelic Park. That said it was a very even match with the outcome in doubt well into injury time.

Bundoran defied their poor league form and produced a battling display and will feel very disappointed that they came away with nothing for their brave effort.

Following a minute’s silence respectfully observed by both teams for local man Danny Breslin, who at the age of 101 had sadly passed away earlier in the morning, it was the Naomh Padraig men who were fastest out of the blocks and had two scores registered by the 4th min from Johnny Toye and Oisin McIntyre. The match was level soon after with Gary Clancy and Michael McEniff pointing.

The first two pointer of the match arrived on nine mins from Darragh McIntyre. The Realt men stayed in touch when Ciaran McCaughey fisted a free over that had dropped short. Soon after Bundoran were level when the lively Anton Govorov pointed. Jamie Brennan, who was playing in a more outfield role, kicked the men in black and amber into the lead for the first time on 17 mins.

The sides were level again on 21 mins from a Toye free. Once again the sides exchanged points with Govorov and McIntyre finding the range. As the game entered first half injury time a Gary Clancy free sent the home side into the dressing rooms at halftime leading by a single point.

Half-time score Realt na Mara 0-7, Naomh Padraig 0-6

The Seasiders started the second half brightly and went two points up with Clancy again splitting the posts.

The half-time introduction of Caolan McColgan paid immediate dividends when he hit a wonderful two pointer to level the match at 0-8 each on 33 mins.

Bundoran hit their first two pointer on 38 mins and it was an absolute belter from their teenage corner back Callum Tierney. But their joy was short lived as a free from well outside the arc by Caolan McColgan somehow found its way to the back of the hosts net to edge the visitors a point ahead on 42 mins.

Govorov had the sides on par again at the midway stage of the half before another outrageous two point effort from McColgan left the score Realt na Mara 0-11 Naomh Padraig 1-10 with 10 minutes remaining.

The home side then hit a purple patch hitting three unanswered points from Jamie Brennan, Shane Mc Gowan and full forward Gary Clancy. In a very tense finish Cillian Doyle hit a close in free wide and the home team thought maybe it might be their day but an excellent Andrew McCarron shot from outside the arc saw the visitors edge in front once again.

To their credit Bundoran won the next kickout and Govorov split the posts five mins into injury time to level proceedings again. At this stage a draw looked the likely option but the visitors had other ideas and found that extra gear to hit further points from Doyle and McCarron to take two valuable championship points back to Inishowen.

Realt na Mara scorers: Gary Clancy 0-4,1f; Anton Govorov 0-4; J Brennan 0-2; Callum Tierney 0-2,tp; Ciaran McCaughey, Michael McEniff, Shane McGowan 0-1 each.

Naomh Padraig scorers: Caolan McColgan 1-4,2tp; Andrew McCarron 0-3,1tp; Johnny Toye 0-2,1f; Oisin McIntyre 0-2; Darragh McIntyre 0-,tp; Cillian Doyle 0-01.

Realt na Mara: Conor Carty; Gareth Carr, Johnny Boyle, Callum Tierney; Shane McGowan, Pauric Rooney, Oisin Walsh; Ryan McGloin, Ciaran McCaughey; Paul Brennan, Jamie Brennan, Cody Granaghan; Anton Govorov, Gary Clancy, Michael McEniff.

Sub: Brian McHenry for Cody Granaghan (ht_

Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin: Oisin Quigley; Peter Grant, Daniel McMenamin, Evan McColgan; Finn McClafferty, Michael McCarron, Peter McLaughlin; Cormac Kelly, Darragh McIntyre; Jonathan Toye, Shaun Curran, Oisín McIntyre; Andrew McCarron, Dermot Keaveney, Cormac Doherty.

Subs: Caolan McColgan for Cormac Doherty; Cillian Doyle for Shaun Curran (both ht); Drew McKinney for Finn McClafferty (46); Shaun Curran for Diarmuid Keaveney (55)

Referee: Cathal Gallagher (Glenswilly)