Naomh Padraig Muff defeated Gaeil Fhanáda to take the County U-14 Division 2 championship in a low-scoring match at O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny.
Naomh Padraig Muff 0-5 Gaeil Fhánada 0-3
The game produced only eight points as the winners held their opponents scoreless in the first half to lead by 0-3 points to 0-0 and held on for victory despite a minor comeback after the break.
Two weeks ago, Gaeil Fhánada won the northern title on a 2-8 to 1-8 scoreline in Termon but the tables were turned this evening.
Kevin Doherty got Muff off to the best possible start with a point from a close range free in the first minute and nine minutes later, team captain Jonathan Toye doubled their lead with a fine long range point.
It would be 20 minutes before another point was scored with full-forward Alan Clarke scoring in the final minute of the opening half.
Gaeil Fhanáda’s best chances came in the first 10 minutes when John Friel’s effort was well saved by Paul Doherty in the fifth minute and four minutes later, Friel’s cross found Ronan Sweeney but he dragged his shot wide when well placed.
They finally got on the score sheet, five minutes into the second half when midfielder Eoghan McGrenaghan scored with a fine long range effort.
Two minutes later, John Friel got their second to leave just a point between their teams but in the 44th minute Kevin Doherty’s point increased Muff’s lead out to two again.
McGrenaghan’s second point of the match again reduced the lead to one in the 48th minute, but four minutes later, Jonathan Toye got his second of the game from a well struck free to restore Muff’s two-point lead.
Despite their best efforts, Gaeil Fhánada were unable to add to their total and several wides from good positions proved costly. Although there were only two points between them, Naomh Padraig were the better side on the night and thoroughly deserved their victory.
Naomh Padraig, Muff: Paul Doherty; Joe Harley, Shaun McCauley, Proinsias Ferns; Caolin Harkin, Caolin McColgan, Shane Grant; Jonathan Toye (0-2), Aiden Ferns; Darren Davenport, Kevin Doherty (0-2), Dylan McCallion; Ronan Lafferty, Alan Clarke (0-1), Sam Bonner. Subs: Aran Campbell for Grant, Ciaran Crossan for McColgan.
Gaeil Fhánada: Dan Kerr; Sean Sweeney, Michael Sweeney, Mark Gallagher; James Howe, Liam Sweeney, Ryan McGinley; Eoghan McGrenaghan (0-1), Jonathan Gallagher; Liam McGrenaghan, Shaun Kerr, Ronan Sweeney; Joshua McAteer, John Friel (0-2), Eoin McGonigle.
Referee: James Connors (St Eunan’s)
