Kilcar were crowned Division 1 League champions for the 15th time as they defeated Naomh Conaill by two points at the Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park.
Cill Chartha 0-10 Naomh Conaill 0-8
Patrick McBrearty scored six points as Kilcar lead for almost 40 minutes in horrible conditions in Fintra, with Naomh Conaill on the back foot for long periods despite starting the better side.
The game almost went to extra-time but for Kilcar’s substitute goalkeeper Eoghan O’Donnell’s superb save from Ciaran Thompson that he saved over for a point, which would be the last kick of the game.
Despite there not being a single score for almost 15 minutes, there were plenty of chances early on for both sides, Naomh Conaill 4-2 ahead on wides before either team got a point.
Naomh Conaill did start the stronger despite their wides, and John O’Malley got the first score from an easy enough free centre of the net.
Ethan O’Donnell scored next for the Glenties side as he found space and burs through the yellow and blue jerseys. But Kilcar quickly responded as Ciaran McGinley fisted over.
McBrearty got his first score of the game from out right going away from goal on his left foot in trademark Patrick McBrearty fashion to make it 0-2 apiece.
Both keepers were then called into action, first Kevin Campbell had to come out and punch the ball away when Ciaran Thompson’s shot dropped low with white jerseys surrounding the Kilcar number 1.
And then at the other end McGinley beat three Naomh Conaill men and fired the ball towards goal but Stephen McGrath was equal to the shot however referee Enda McFeely brought it back for a Kilcar free.
McBrearty would fire over the free with ease and a minute later a 1-2 between McBrearty and Paddy McShane gave the county star his third point of the game.
Hughie Gallagher made it a one point game again a couple minutes later with a great left footed strike but straight away Kilcar responded.
McBrearty was heavily marked but again used a teammate, this time Mark McHugh, for the 1-2 to create space from himself and he fired over to make it 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time.
Naomh Conaill got the first score of the second half with a brilliant second score from O’Malley at the 45 line.
Ciaran Thompson also scored with a super kick from even further out but in between these two scores McBrearty scored two more frees from tight angles.
Captain Brian O’Donnell restored the three point lead for Kilcar, leading by example.
But it would soon be a one point game as Nathan Boyle scored from wide left and after winning the kick-out Kevin McGettigan made it 0-8 to 0-7 to Kilcar after Ethan O’Donnell found him in space with a great pass.
Conor Cunningham’s side would get themselves into a great position when substitute Dara O’Donnell was played in by McGinley and despite having half a goal chance, he took the point.
And Kilcar would take a three point advantage when Brian O’Donnell converted his second point of the game, fisting over after patient play from the Kilcar side.
Naomh Conaill went for the goal to take it to extra-time and when a long ball fell to Ciaran Thompson he fired at the goal but a superb save from substitute ‘keeper Eoghan O’Donnell deflected it over for a point.
It would also be the last chance of the game as Enda McFeely blew the full time whistle as Kilcar won their 15th League Championship.
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Stephen Molloy, Jason Campbell, Cian Doherty, Ethan O’Donnell (0-1), Kevin McGettigan (0-1), Hughie Gallagher (0-1); Ciaran Thompson (0-2), Neil Francis Boyle; Anthony Thompson, John O’Malley (0-2), Nathan Byrne (0-1), Dermot Molloy, AJ Gallagher, Leo McLoone.
Subs: Odhran Doherty for Boyle
Kilcar: Kevin Campbell; Kenny Doogan, Brian O’Donnell (0-2), Dylan O’Gara, Ryan McShane, Andrew McClean, Donal Lyons; Mark McHugh, Ciaran McGinley (0-1); Eoin Cormack, Mark Sweeney, Paddy McShane, Gary Molloy, Patrick McBrearty (0-6,3f), Ryan O’Donnell.
Subs: Conor Doherty for Lyons (35 mins), Stephen McBreaty for Sweeney (40 mins), Dara O’Donnell (0-1) for Molloy (51 mins), Eoghan O’Donnell for Campbell (60 mins)
