Ultan Boyle’s stunning strike from distance secured Naomh Muire a share of the spoils against Aodh Ruadh on Saturday night in the Intermediate Championship Group B clash, despite four reds card being shown in the tie.
Naomh Muire 1-7 Aodh Ruadh 0-10
Both sides were reduced to 14 men in the early stages as Niall Murray (Aodh Ruadh) and Brian Gillespie (Naomh Mhuire) made an early exit for an off the ball incident.
However, by the midway point of the first half Naomh Muire were in control of the tie as Sean ‘The Yank’ Boyle scored four fine free kicks.
But, Naomh Mhuire were, in many ways, architects of their own downfall as a poor display in the minutes leading to the interval saw them concede five needless points.
Points from Peter Boyle from a free was followed with well-finished efforts from Diarmaid McInerney, Philip Patton and Shane McGrath from open play gave the visitors a two-point (0-6 to 0-4) lead by the break.
After the interval, in control, Aodh Ruadh’s discipline let them down once more as linesman James Connors indicated that Sean Taylor’s actions off the ball merited a red card, while Cian Dolan followed his teammate six minutes later after 48 minutes for a similar incident.
In spite of the red cards, the Ballyshannon visitors remained in the lead shortly after the break – despite Philip Patton and Sean The Yank Boyle’s efforts of narrowing the score to within one point.
And, in truth, then the Ernesiders put in a valiant performance even with their lack in numbers and they racked up a 0-10 to 0-7 lead by the 55th minute.
However, with the visitors now down to twelve men, and Naomh Mhuire’s backs against the wall, the home side took real charge of the Aodh Ruadh defence.
And the night ended in high drama when midfielder Ultan Boyle scampered on the counter-attack as the visitors conceded possession cheaply, and from about 30 yards, the Naomh Mhuire man slotted home a sumptuous effort into the top corner.
The long-range effort left Aodh Ruadh goalkeeper Peter Boyle with no chance as it restored parity.
A draw was a fair reflection on the balance of play at ‘The Banks’, with both sides failing to take clear-cut chances when an opening arrived.
Naomh Muire: Declan Ward; Hugh Martin, Brian Gillespie, Daniel Ward; Patrick Rodgers, Aidy O’Gara, Laurence Coyle; Ultan Boyle (1-0), Adam O’Brien; Jack O’Donnell, Pádraig McCafferty, Thomas O’Donnell; Sean ‘The Yank’ Boyle (0-6, 5fs), Daniel Breslin, Fintan Doherty.
Subs: Darren Sweeney for T O’Donnell (20); Niall Anthony O’Donnell for Breslin (58).
Aodh Ruadh: Peter Boyle (0-1) Colm O’Halloran, Colm Kelly, Sean Taylor; Michael Ward, Johnny Gallagher, Shane Gillespie (0-1); Cian Dolan, CP Patton (0-1) Diarmaid McInerney (0-1), Michael McKenna, Niall Murray; Ryan McKenna, Philip Patton (0-5, 3fs), Shane McGrath (0-1).
Subs: Johnny Gettins for Ward (39); Paddy Gillespie for R McKenna (44).
Referee: Andrew Mullin (Killybegs).
