Stephen Griffin returned from injury to inspire St Naul’s to an Intermediate quarter-final win over Glenfin in Donegal town.
St Naul’s 0-7 Glenfin 0-6
The last three months have been frustrating for Stephen Griffin as he tried to recover from a serious knee injury in time to play his part in his club’s quest for Championship and League success.
Griffin has been central to any progress St.Nauls have made in recent times and his manager John McNulty must have been delighted when the former Donegal forward declared himself ready to go for this quarter-final fixture.
In a low-scoring match Griffen hit six of his team’s seven points, including two classics from frees in the first-half and a super winner from play two minutes from the end.
This game was played in terrible conditions as heavy rain and a strong wind swept across Tirconaill Park and made things very difficult for the players.
St. Naul’s suffered an early setback when they lost Peadar Mogan with a head injury in the ninth minute after a clash with one of his team-mates.
Glenfin got the game’s opening score but trailed by a point at half-time as Griffin kicked two super scores from frees and one from play with Barry Griffin getting their other score from play of the half.
Stephen Carr kicked two frees for Glenfin and Karl McGlynn got their only score from play to leave it 0-04 to 0-03 in Nauls favour at the break.
Stephen Griffen and Glenfin sub Stephen McDermott exchanged early point in the second-half and then another Griffen free put his team two in front at 0-6 to 0-4.
Ciaran Brady pointed for Glenfin in the 42nd minute and when Daniel Mc Glynn scored the equaliser nine minutes later it was anyone’s game.
Griffin was not to be denied on his return and two minutes from time he showed quick hands and then quick feet to score from 30 metres and clinch a semi-final spot for St.Nauls.
Glenfin: Andrew Walsh, Daithi Carr, John Harkin, Gary Herron, Daniel McGlynn (0-1), Frank McGlynn, Paddy O’Connor, Stephen Ward, Michael McGlynn, Karl McGlynn (0-1), Jason Morrow, Gary Dorrian, Stephen Carr (0-2f), Ciaran Brady (0-1), Eoin Donnellan. Subs: Gerard Ward for Donnellan (25), Stephen McDermott (0-1) for M.McGlynn (half-time), Conor Ward for O Connor (46).
St Naul’s: Paddy Burke, Conor McBrearty, Brendan McCole, Conor Gavigan, Stewart Johnston, Peadar Mogan, Martin Breslin, Lee McBrearty, Daniel Friel, John Rose, Aidan Meehan, Shane Conneelly, Edward Kane, Barry Griffin (0-1), Stephen Griffin (0-6, 4f). Subs: Cathal Lowther for Mogan (10), Barry Rose for Meehan (55).
Referee: Marc Browne (Four Masters)
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