THERE WAS SCORELINE controversy at the Carrick Field in today’s Michael Murphy Sports Junior A Championship clash of Moville and Downings.
Moville 2-13 Downings 2-12
Scorekeepers at the venue had the game level at 2-13 apiece when the final whistle went.
However, referee Sean Paul Doherty had Moville in front 2-13 to 2-12 and Downings, the recently-crowned All-Ireland Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta Junior champions, were left puzzled and angered at the conclusion.
[adrotate group=”68″]Downings officials are set to explore their options with the Donegal Competitions Controls Committee, but will have a hard sell given that the referee’s word in these matters is usually the final one.
The confusion seemed to arise in the closing moments when Finian McClafferty and Gary McClafferty scored points to, in our eyes, put Downings ahead, with Michael Barr and Danny Murphy drawing Moville level.
Referee Doherty insisted that Downings were never in front in the game so was at odds with those of us taking note of the tale.
It didn’t help that the scoreboard at the venue ceased working at half-time and it brought a cloud over a thoroughly entertaining contest.
[adrotate group=”76″]Moville looked home and hosed at half-time when they led 1-9 to 1-3.
Christy Hegarty, Malachy McDermott and Barr put them three ahead early on, but Downings were keen on goals.
Finian McClafferty had one shot brilliantly blocked by Seamus Hegarty and Alan Pasoma was denied by a superb save from Dylan Doherty, recently called into the Derry senior squad.
In between times, however, Downings did get a goal as Finian McClafferty and Ben McBride combined to tee up Shane Boyce, who magnificently fired to the top corner.
Moville finished the first half in style. They got the goal back on 18 minutes. Murphy’s shot was saved by Patrick McGroddy, but Hegarty prodded home the rebound.
Murphy (2), McDermott, Barr and Pauric Gillen had them six to the good at the short whistle.
In the opening minute of the second half they bagged a second goal as Ciaran Diver’s high ball was fisted to the net by John McGeady. By the ninth minute of the second half, Moville were 2-11 to 1-4 ahead.
[adrotate group=”46″]Suddenly, Downings awoke and hit 1-7 without reply, their goal coming four minutes from the end when an excellent move was rounded off by sub Sean McGinley.
A frenetic conclusion and confusion ensued and we were left unsure as to the ramifications.
[adrotate group=”38″]Moville: Dylan Doherty; Eunan Hegarty, Enda Faulkener, Jack Keys; Kyle Dougal, Tony McClenaghan, Seamus Hegarty; Malachy McDermott (0-2, 1f), Ciaran Diver; Danny Murphy (0-4, 1f), Michael Barr (0-4), John McGeady (1-0); Pauric Gillen (0-1), Christy Hegarty (1-2), Nigel McMonagle. Subs: Ronan Doherty for McDermott (40), Ryan McDermott for Gillen (53), Rory Lafferty for McGeady (58).
Downings: Patrick McGroddy (0-1); Seamus Gallagher, David Hay, Matthew Coyle; Max David, Oisin Boyce, Ben McBride; Shane Boyce (1-0), James McBride (0-1); Alan Pasoma (0-1), Gary McClafferty (0-6, 3f), Lorcan Connor; Finian McClafferty (0-1), Colm Gallagher (0-2, 1f), Aaron McClafferty (0-1). Subs: Sean McGinley (1-0) for F.McClafferty (40), John McGroddy for Coyle (46), Finian McClafferty for Hay (60).
Referee: Sean Paul Doherty (Urris).
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