A ROUTINE win over an already eliminated Naomh Ultan means Cloughaneely have a quarter-final in the Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure IFC to look forward to, writes Alan Foley
Cloughaneely 1-14 Naomh Ultan 1-2
The side managed by Michael Lynch enjoyed a 12-point win at PCC Falcarragh where they used the elements – a considerable wind – at their backs in the first half, before ticking the scoreboard over in the second.
Their goal came with the last kick of the game when Darren McGeever, not long returned from Australia, picked up the loose change to shoot past Daniel McGlynn in a crowded square. Icing and cakes and all that.
Jason McGee (pictured above) also made a comeback for the final quarter – his first appearance since being withdrawn with a hamstring complaint in Donegal’s loss in the All-Ireland Super 8’s against Mayo in Castlebar last month.
Naomh Ultan had lost their opening fixtures against Red Hugh’s and Naomh Brid and were essentially playing for pride. Although they had considerable difficulties in the first half facing into the wind, they did muster a goal late in the half to only go in 0-9 to 1-1, when their arrears could’ve been worse. Conor Shovlin was the goalscorer, when he followed up a blocked effort by Aidan Duddy.
The Dunkineely side had worked themselves into a 1-4 to 0-2 lead on 20 minutes against Naomh Brid last weekend at Trummon, only to fail to score from then on as their rivals slotted over 11 on the spin to win 0-13 to 1-4. This evening, Naomh Ultan conceded nine on the bounce to trail 0-9 to 0-0 on 27 minutes.
Cloughaneely had kept their guests penned in for the majority of the that time, where they also kicked eight first half wides. On the mark, though, were Shaun McGarvey, Darren Ferry and Martin Maguire with two points apiece. Sean Maguire pointed when McGlynn in the Naomh Ultan goal had made a useful stop from Scanlon on 19 minutes.
Three minutes before the break, Dermot Gallier finally opened the visitors’ account with a free before their goal in the third minute of injury-time from Shovlin left five in it at the break.
Cloughaneely may be playing at a home from home with their playing surface at Pairc Naomh Fhionnain now relaid but the proximity of the secondary school means they’ve still that local knowledge. They might’ve scraped three points in their opening two fixtures, with a last gasp win over Naomh Brid and draw in Killygordon but had few complications this evening.
Gallier opened the scoring with another free for Naomh Ultan. However, that score, on 34 minutes, was the last time they’d raise a flag and at the other end McGarvey would bring his contribution to six in all. McGeever’s goal merely confirmed the margin of victory would be a dozen as darkness fell.
Cloughaneely: Michael McGinley; Noel Sweeney, Cian McFadden, Michael Fitzgerald; Mark Harley, Ciaran McFadden, Darren McGeever (1-1); Martin Maguire (0-2), Ciaran Scanlon (0-1); Darren Ferry (0-3), Shaun McGarvey (0-6, 2f, 45), Cillian Gallagher; Sean Maguire (0-1), Ciaran McGeady, Paul Sweeney. Subs: Aidan Doohan for McGeady (half-time), Jason McGee for M Maguire (43), Fionn McGinley for Sweeney (54), Micheal McHugh for Gallagher (56).
Naomh Ultan: Daniel McGlynn; Christopher Boyle, Dara Byrne, Jordan Watters; Seanie O’Shaea, Daniel Gallagher, Damien Quigley; Donal Murrin, Dermot Gallier (0-2, 1f); Sean White, Cian Kennedy, Peter Alvey; Conor Shovlin (1-0), Aidan Duddy, Darragh Murrin.
Referee: Liam McConigley (Gaeil Fhanada)
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