PEADAR Mogan was the star of the show for St Naul’s as they won a first Under-21 crown in 20 years.
St Naul’s 0-14 Termon 1-7
By Chris McNulty at O’Donnell Park
Mogan’s eight classy points saw St Naul’s overcome Termon at O’Donnell Park.
Mogan was the big difference between the teams with St Naul’s making it a case of third time lucky after losing the last two finals.
Gavin Mulreany weighed in with five points, but it was Mogan’s hour on an afternoon when the Mountcharles side were well in command.
Four from Mogan in the first half had St Naul’s four in front at half-time, but they still had to endure some nervy moments.
Termon roared right back into the contest three minutes into the second half. Enda McCormick’s raking ball into the mixer broke invitingly and Steve McDaid was on it in a flash. McDaid riffled to the net and Termon were within a point.
The on-song Mogan had cancelled out Oisin Cassidy’s strike when the St Naul’s ace wheeled away before arching over form the right-hand side.
Gavin Mulreany sailed over a free from the ’45 before Termon almost sneaked in for a second goal. Eoin Doherty was inches wide as he attempted to bat in from Ryan McFadden’s delivery.
Mogan converted a free before another powerful surge across the end-line created a chance for Mulreany. Momentarily, a goal was on, but his shot deflected off a Termon foot and over the top.
St Naul’s were 0-4 to 0-2 in front after 20 minutes when John Relihan – among the senior players Shaun Campbell was able to call upon – was black carded for an off-the-ball foul.
Doherty pointed the subsequent free to bring Termon, who had squandered a number of good chances until then, back to within a point.
In the opening quarter, Termon kicked four wides and dropped another attempt short.
Donegal senior panelist Mogan – one of the stars as St Naul’s captured the Intermediate title this year – swung over the game’s opening two points, the second of them from a delightful swing of his left boot.
Mohan turned provider for Ian Campbell to open up a three-point lead, but Termon found something when McCormick slammed over to break their duck on 13 minutes.
McFadden’s superb effort narrowed the margins before Mulreany and Doherty swapped frees.
Mogan lit the touch paper again with two magnificent points as St Naul’s parted ways at the break leading 0-8 to 0-4.
St Naul’s required a nerve-jangling penalty shoot-out to squeeze past Bundoran in their semi-final, on a day when Mulreany posted 3-8.
The Mountcharles club were in their third final in a row having lost to Milford and Sean MacCumhaills in each of the last two years.
McDaid’s goal rocked St Naul’s, but they were able to stem the flow as Mogan and Mulreany responded in style.
It had been 20 years since St Naul’s last tasted glory at this level, going all the way to a win over Aodh Ruadh in an ‘A’ final in 1999.
The game was in added time when Mogan stroked over a free and St Naul’s toasted the win.
St Naul’s: Enda O’Hagan; James McBrearty, Shane Meehan, Jamie Burke; John Relihan, Conor Gavigan, Diarmaid Gallagher; Ian Campbell (0-1), Freddie Cullen; Daniel Gallagher, Peadar Mogan (0-8, 2f), Michael Coughlan; Thomas White, Gavin Mulreany (0-5, 4f), Kyle Campbell. Subs: Conor Griffin for Relihan (black card, 22), Ryan Coughlan for Burke (43), Shaun Griffin for White (50), Ryan McBrearty for Cullen (52), Shaun Meehan for Campbell (59).
Termon: Emmet McGuire; Caolan Gallagher (0-1), Barry Gallagher, Conor Cassidy; Ciaran Black, Oisin Cassidy (0-1), Jamie Grant; Jack Alcorn (0-1), Ryan McFadden (0-1); Steve McDaid (1-0), Enda McCormick (0-1), Anthony Grant; Adam McElwaine, Eoin Doherty (0-2f), Shane Doherty. Subs: James McSharry for for Black (28), Brian Alcorn for McDaid (42), Robbie McGettigan for McElwaine (49).
Referee: James Connors (St Eunan’s)
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