Perhaps the very small attendance reflected what we could expect from this Division One League final at MacCumhaill Park.
The lack of interest from many supporters of both teams was saying clearly that a league final result doesn’t really matter with Championship just around the corner in two weeks time.
Naomh Conaill …0-9 St Eunans…1-5
Both teams were missing a number of what could be considered regular starters, with St.Eunans without the three O Donnell brothers and with Darragh Mulgrew and Padraig McGettigan not involved at all.
By Charlie Collins at MacCumhaill Park
Shaun Patton , Conor Parke , Peter Devine, Eoin and Ronan McGettigan and Brian McIntyre were all named in the subs , while they fielded a very youthful looking forward line.
Naomh Conaill had Dermot Molloy, Eoin Waide, Seamus Corcoran and Kevin McGettigan listed in the subs and were without Eoin McGettigan, and just before the throw-in Anthony and Ciaran Thompson plus Odhran Doherty were also withdrawn from the starting line-up.
St.Eunans dominated possession and territory in the opening ten minutes but Marty Boyle and John O Malley points in two rare attacks had Naomh Conaill ahead.
It could have be worse for Eunans in the fifteen minute when Charles McGuinness intercepted a poor kick-out and his lobbed effort just dropped wide with keeper Eoin O Boyle stranded.
Conor O Donnell’s free from 45 metres finally got Eunans on the scoresheet but two quick points from Charles McGuinness and Leo McLoone to lead by 0-04 to 0-01.
It was the 26th minute when Eunans finally scored from play , Conor O Donnell again and that how it remained until half-time , 0-04 to 0-02 to Naomh Conaill.
Brendan McDyer opened the second-half scoring with a fine long range effort to leave three in it but David Boyle replied immediately for Eunans and then Ethan O Donnell and Peter McEniff exchanged scores , and Anthony Thompson who had just come on made it a three point lead once again . 0-07 to 0-04.
Things were improving in terms of scoring and Conor O Donnell and Ethan O Donnell both hit the target and then Charles McGuinness made a four point game for the first time with a fine score, 0-09 to 0-05.
St. Eunans were awarded a penalty for a foot block which Eoin McGeehin converted but the final whistle followed and Naomh Conaill had won by a point 0-09 to 1-05.
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath , Ultan Doherty , AJ Gallagher, Jason Campbell , Keelin McGill , Marty Boyle (0-01), , Ethan O Donnell (0-02) , Leo McLoone, (0-01), Logan Quinn Eunan Doherty , Jeaic McKelvey , Mark McDevitt , Brendan McDyer (0-01), , Charles McGuinness (0-02), , John O’Malley (0-01). Subs used ; Anthony Thompson (0-01), Seamus Corcoran, Dermot Molloy , Eoin Waide , Conor Roarty .
St. Eunan’s: Eoin O Boyle, Noel O Donnell, Conor Morrison, Peter McEniff (0-01), Kieran Tobin, Sean McVeigh , Caolan Ward , Eamonn Doherty , Jordan O Dowd, Dillon Duggan , Sean McGettigan , Kevin Kealy, David Boyle (0-01), Eoin Dowling , Conor O’Donnell (0-03). Subs used ; Eoin McGeehin , Brian McIntyre, Peter Devine,
Referee : Stephen Doherty ( Red Hughs ).
