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Friel’s goal consigns Naomh
Pádraig to Division 3
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Urris 1-8 (Alan Friel 1-2, Rocky Ivers 0-2, Brian Kelly 0-1, Darragh Doherty 0-1, Eddie Kelly 0-1, Kevin Donaghy 0-1) Naomh Pádraig 0-9 (Damien Diver 0-6, Aidan Lynch 0-2, Dermot Keaveney 0-1) By Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent With Division 3 football staring both teams in the face this relegation play-off clash was expected to be cagey. And so it proved. With so much at stake, nerves seemed to get the better of both teams and flowing football was the exception rather than the rule. A measly total of five scores were converted in a second half filled with wides and errors which clearly displayed why both teams found themselves in this predicament. For Urris, relegation would have been a disaster having dropped out of Division 1B last year. Naomh Pádraig, however, will find themselves in familiar surroundings having just been promoted from Division 3 last year. The possibility of another Urris relegation was very real having lost to Muff by nine and seven points in September and June respectively. However, Urris was determined not to let it happen again. |
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The game took a while to
hit its rhythm with both teams erring on the side of
caution, not wanting to make the first error but
desperate to take the early initiative. Urris earned the
all-important first score through captain Rocky Ivers.
Brian Kelly doubled this lead minutes later and Eddie
Kelly was very unfortunate to see his effort hit both
the post and the bar before coming back into play. Naomh Pádraig had an excellent chance to come back into the game when panic spread in the Urris defence but Eunan Kearney put the ball wide with the goal gaping. Barry Hegarty could also count himself unlucky to see his effort strike a post. Muff’s first score came from the boot of Aidan Lynch and was a considerable relief after earlier misses. Urris came right back however, a high ball in from Liam Diver was claimed by Alan Friel who put the ball in the back of the net to give Urris what turned out to be a vital goal. Darragh Doherty furthered the Urris lead with another score before Diver and Friel repeated their earlier work, however Friel only earned a point this time. At this point Urris were rampant in piling on the pressure and Muff were struggling to keep their heads above water. Another point from Alan Friel was followed by a narrow wide from Brian Kelly. Muff managed to get back into the game through Damien Diver, the forward |
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popped up with his first
point shortly after Kelly’s wide and then put a free
over to bring the teams closer together. Diver’s next
point owed a lot to fortune as Mark Duffy and Barry
McColgan combined well with McColgan sending in a high
ball which keeper Jonathan Noone collected but then
slipped at the vital moment allowing Diver to put over.
Aidan Lynch added his second point of the day with a
good score, which brought the gap between the teams down
to three points. Eddie Kelly put a free over to increase
the Urris lead but an incident followed which could have
changed the entire match. Good Muff interplay lead to the ball falling to Damien Diver who found himself one-on-one with Noone in the Urris goals. The expected goal never came however as Noone made amends for his earlier slip with a terrific save leaving Diver disappointed. To Diver’s credit he made up for said miss minutes later with the last score of the half bringing the margin between the teams back to three points. |
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With all to play for in the second half both teams could
be forgiven for the nerves that stunted the quality of
play. Urris captain Rocky Ivers scored the first point
of the half to edge his side further ahead. Not to be
outdone Diver put a free over at the other end leaving
the three-point gap. Muff then entered a period of dominance however they were unable to capitalize on it. Dermot McColgan embarked on a great solo run but his shot sailed wide. Mark Duffy and Dermot McColgan also saw efforts go the wrong side of the post, misses that Muff were made to rue. Urris were also culpable of some bad misses; Donal Kelly’s wide being the most noteworthy. His subsequent substitution for Kevin Donaghy may have been slightly harsh though. A free from Dermot Keaveney brought the gap between the sides down to a mere two points and nerves started to form in the Urris players, Eddie Kelly’s wide being evidence of this. Donaghy, who was barely on the field, brought the gap between the teams back to three points with a well-taken score. Muff had a good chance to level the game when Barry |
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Barry McColgan found
himself one on one with Noone, however the Urris
custodian was level to the task and pulled of another
good save. The closing minutes of the match saw tempers fraying and loose play from both sides. Muff were trying to get the scores they desperately needed to stay up but Urris were defending in numbers and utilising every tool they could use to burn time. With five minutes remaining Diver put over a free to bring his tally for the day to a very creditable six points. Sadly for Muff this was to be the last meaningful action of the game, Friel’s first half goal proved vital and keeps Urris in Division 2 for another year. Naomh Pádraig: John Paul McColgan; Enda McColgan, Paul Duffy, Paul McColgan; Aidan Lynch, Raymond McLaughlin, Brendan McColgan; Dermot McColgan, Martin Duffy; Barry Hegarty, Eunan Keaveney, Barry McColgan; Dermot Keaveney, Damien Diver, Mark Duffy. Subs: Kevin Lynch, Gerard McColgan. Urris: Jonathan Noone; Damien Harkin, Paddy Doherty, Sean Doherty; Martin Kelly, Ciaran Kelly, Adrian Doherty; Eddie Kelly, Liam Diver; Donal Kelly, Rocky Ivers, Darragh Doherty; Alan Friel, Brian Kelly, Barney Friel. Subs: Sean Paul Doherty, Kevin Donaghey, Ciaran Friel. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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