High drama as Sean MacCumhaills squeeze out play-off win over Killybegs

SEAN MACCUMHAILLS preserved their senior championship status after a heart-stopping relegation play-off win over Killybegs at Tir Chonaill Park.

Sean MacCumhaills 3-12 Killybegs 1-16

In the end, a goal right at the death by Stephen Mulligan was the decisive and fatal blow landed by the Finnsiders.

It was a goal that steered MacCumhaills over the line and means that Killybegs – senior finalists in 2010 and 2013 – now face another hour to battle for their senior futures.

The goal will haunt Kevin Martin, the stand-in Killybegs ‘keeper, who had come on for the black-carded Andrew Mullin, in the first half.

Brian Lafferty tried his luck from distance and, as it dropped short, Martin couldn’t hold onto it and Mulligan struck gold.

Killybegs, who had fought their way back on more than one occasion during a captivating contest, had one last chance. Sub Shane Molloy saw a gap in the top corner, but his chance was up and over and MacCumhaills survived.

They had an advantage at half-time, largely thanks to a goal from a 27^th minute penalty by Martin O’Reilly, who scored 1-6 in all.

The Donegal player worked a give-and-go with Alan Patton and as he danced around the advancing Andrew Mullin, the Killybegs goalkeeper, O’Reilly had his heels clipped.

Robbie O’Donnell, the referee, was left with little option but to award the penalty and Mullin was black carded for his troubles.

Replacement ‘keeper Martin’s first task was to face the penalty and his second was to pick the ball out of the net after O’Reilly slammed to the net.

Hugh McFadden was in inspired form for Killybegs and ended with seven points.

When Brian Lafferty somehow found the net in the 8^th minute of the second half, MacCumhaills regained some of the composure they’d lost when Killybegs fought their way back.

Picture caption: Brian Lafferty scores MacCumhaills’ second goal against Killybegs. Picture courtesy of Chris Doherty.

Steven O’Reilly and Stephen Mulligan combined to tee up Lafferty. Grounded and surrounded on the edge of the square, Lafferty managed to poke over the line.

Killybegs refused to accept defeat. McFadden provided the spark and Val Smyth pounced on a loose ball in the mixer to blast in a 48^th minute goal that stunned MacCumhaills.

McFadden and Chris Patton, the MacCumhaills goalkeeper, contested a high ball and, when it broke, Smyth seized the initiative for a goal that swung the pendulum towards the fishing port.

Christopher Murrin popped over in the 53^rd minute and Killbegs led for the first time since the opening minute, but there was another twist in the tale to come yet and Mulligan netted what proved the winner.

John ‘Ban’ Gallagher had clipped Killybegs in front with a point inside of a minute, but the MacCumhaills response was an assured one and the Twin Towns team were 0-4 to 0-1 ahead by the 12^th minute.

Mulligan levelled matters and Shane Duffy, so influential throughout with his forays forward, put them ahead.

With Lafferty and Martin O’Reilly (free) on target, MacCumhaills began to pull clear.

Although McFadden, from a free, registered for Killybegs, MacCumhaills had a five-point cushion with three points in as many minutes.

A wondeful score by Martin O’Reilly, with Daniel O’Donnell breathing down his neck on the right flank was followed by a well-taken point by Lafferty, after Steven O’Reilly’s majestic leap in a crowded goalmouth created the chance.

Martin O’Reilly’s free made it 0-7 to 0-2, but it was Killybegs who finished the half stronger and MacCumhaills were more than thankful for the penalty as they headed for the half-time refreshments.

McFadden, twice, Daniel Breslin and Brendan McGuire reeled off four Killybegs points in a row before O’Reilly drilled home the penalty that ensured MacCumhaills remained in the driving seat.

McFadden landed his fourth point of the afternoon with a splendid 45-metre free, despite losing his balance as he lined up the target.

Killybegs were inspired and McGuire’s booming effort from beyond the ’45 brought them to within two, with MacCumhaills leading 1-7 to 0-8 when O’Donnell sounded the short whistle.

That McGuire was central to the comeback stuck in MacCumhaills teeth with the Killybegs number 10 fortunate not to have been given the ultimate sanction in the 19^th minute.

Already booked for an off-the-ball incident in the 13^th minute, McGuire was given a reprieve by the referee when he clashed with Gary Dunnion.

The needle was turning, but O’Donnell opted against flashing a second yellow and McGuire was clearly energised by the pardon.

McGuire actually levelled the scores early in the second half after McFadden cut through for a point.

Lafferty’s goal bought MacCumhaills some breathing space, but it was tightened considerably when Smyth pounced for a goal 12 minutes from the end only for Mulligan to tear the script with the golden goal.

Sean MacCumhaills: Chris Patton; Gerard Grindle, Marty Gallagher, Shane Duffy (0-1); Gary Wilson, Gary Dunnion, Andrew McCloskey; Pat McNulty, Nathan Gavigan; Alan Patton, Brian Lafferty (1-2), Martin O’Reilly (1-6, 4f); Stephen Mulligan (1-2), Steven O’Reilly (0-1), Chris Gallen. Subs: Eoghan Wright for Grindle (38), Rory Dunleavy for McCloskey (43, black card), Aaron Kelly for McNulty (54), Brian Patton for A.Patton (54).

Killybegs: Michael Mullin; David Conwell, Ciaran Connaghan, Daniel O’Donnell; John ‘Ban’ Gallagher (0-1), Gavin Boyle, Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher; Hugh McFadden (0-7, 4f), Val Smyth (1-0); Brendan McGuire (0-3), Niall Carberry, Ryan Ward; Evan Broderick, Paul Cunningham, Christopher Murrin (0-3). Subs: Daniel Breslin (0-1) for Broderick (14), Kevin Martin for Mullin (27, black card), Shane Molloy (0-1) for O’Donnell (half-time), Enda Murphy for Ward (43), Charles Tully for Cunningham (52).

Referee: Robbie O’Donnell (Naomh Muire).