Killybegs led by a point at half-time but could only manage three second-half points as Naomh Conaill came strong after the break to run out winners by six points at the Davy Brennan Memorial Park.
Naomh Conaill 1-12 Killybegs 0-9
By Charlie Collins
The visitors had opened their campaign with a good victory over Glenfin and having also retained their Division One status with a narrow play-off win over Glenswilly came into this tough away fixture in good form.
Naomh Conaill had narrowly lost in the league final against Kilcar and were held to a draw by Glenswilly last week so we’re under a little bit a pressure to get a win in this one.
Brendan McDyer opened the scoring for the home team but Killybegs replied quickly with two Hugh McFadden points from play and a Conor Cunningham free to lead 0-03 to 0-01.
Charles McGuinness scored from a mark but Shuan Gorrell restored Killybegs two point lead from play, 0-02 to 0-04. Ethan O Donnell narrowed the gap to one again but John Ban Gallagher hit back for the visitors to leave it 0-03 to 0-05 after twenty minutes.
A minute later Leo McLoone pointed from play to again leave just one it and after a scoreless period they were level at 0-05 apiece in the 29th minute when Ciaran Thompson guided over a fine point.
In injury-time Hugh McFadden converted a free for his third point and Killybegs sixth to give them the half-time lead of 0-06 to 0-05.
Ciaran Thompson’s 45 in the 35th minute had the teams level for the third time at 0-06 apiece.
Three minutes later Naomh Conaill took the lead for the first-time when John 0 Malley , who was excellent last week in Glenswilly , knocked over a point , 0-07 to 0-06.
Killybegs responded well to going behind and Hugh McFadden’s fourth point , this one from a free, levelled it up again at 0-07 apiece.
John O’Malley added his second to restore the lead for the home team and a minute later they took command when Charles McGuinness finished off a fine move by blasting the ball to the net past Corey Byrne and Naomh Conaill were four ahead , 1-08 to 0-07.
Conor Cunningham pointed a free to leave a goal in it , but quick-fire points Ethan 0 Donnell and Brendan McDyer had the home team comfortably ahead by five points , 1-10 to 0-08 in the 52nd minute and on their way to victory.
Charles McGuinness converted a free to extend the lead to six.
Ethan O Donnell added his third point and Seamus Og Bryne scored Killybegs final point to leave the final score at 1-12 to 0-09 in Naomh Conaill’s favour.
A important win for Martin Regan’s team who move onto three points , and they will now look forward to the round three draw on Sunday evening.
Naomh Conaill scorers: Charles McGuinness 1-02 , Ethan O Donnell 0-03 , Brendan McDyer 0-02, John O Malley 0-02, Ciaran Thompson 0-02, Leo McLoone 0-01.
Killybegs scorers: Hugh McFadden 0-04, Conor Cunningham 0-02 , Shaun Gorrell 0-01, John Ban Gallagher 0-01, Seamus Og Byrne 0-01.
