John Campbell’s late goal helped fire Buncrana to victory over Naomh Brid – and promotion to Division 2.
Buncrana 1-8 Naomh Brid 0-8
By Charlie Collins at O’Donnell Park
Four minutes from time, Campbell climbed to win a high ball into the mixer and fired home.
The goal had Buncrana in front for the first time since the opening 10 minutes of the play-off at O’Donnell Park.
Campbell and Odhran Doherty clipped points to seal victory for Malachy McCann’s men.
Darragh Brogan got in for a Naomh Brid goal chance in the 14th minute, but he blasted wide after a good move.
Brogan landed two points in the final ten minutes of the first half to put the Ballintra men 0-4 to 0-3 ahead at the break.
Brogan’s superb effort from the left-hand side, after a strong run from the ’45, gave them the edge.
Callum Gallagher arched over twice, either side of a Campbell point, to put them two in front
Just eight minutes into the new half, Naomh Brid were down to 14 men as Henry Duignan was sent off, black carded having been already booked.
Six minuets from the end, Buncrana spurned a big goal chance as Oisin Doherty was denied by Padraig McDaid when he should have scored after a brilliant move involving Campbell, Darach O’Connor and Caolan McGonagle.
Buncrana: Sean Parker, Conor Grant, Bruce Waldron, Adrian McColgan, Aedan Stokes, William McLaughlin, Ryan McElhinney, Peter McLaughlin, Caolan McGonagle (0-2, 1f, 1 ’45), Adrian Doherty, Oisin Doherty (0-1f), Oisin O’Flaherty, Ben Bradley (0-1), John Campbell (1-3, 2f), Darach O Conner. Subs: Stephen Doherty for Grant, Odhran Doherty (0-1) for O’Flaherty (half-time), JP McKenna for McColgan, Noel McLaughlin for A.Doherty (62).
Naomh Brid: Padraig McDaid, Lee Doherty, Clint Walsh, Sam Burgess, Eoin McGarrigle, Sean Gormley, Jamie Timoney, Henry Duignan, Callum Gallagher (0-2, 1f), Liam Duffy, Darragh Brogan (0-2, 1f), Declan McCafferty (0-2), Gearoid Gallagher (0-1), Ross Gallagher (0-1), Ryan Brogan. Subs: Ryan O’Leary for Burgess (37), Cian Gallagher for Brogan (39).
