ST NAUL’S took the points away from Malin’s Connolly Park today in a real tough, intense and good game of football in Division 2.
Malin 0-11 Naomh Naille 1-10
The visitors opened the scoring with a Gavin Mulreany free before Kieran McNicolas hit an excellent point from out on the right sideline.
Malin hit the front with an excellent Shaun Kelly point up the left. Mulreany then hit another from a free for the Mountcharles men. Anthony Kelly then freed for Malin and Dan McDaid was dragged back and brother Shaun then powered home another effort from up the left as Malin went two up.
They were pegged back however after a goal from Ryan Coyle that had a bit of fortune about it, the midfielder did well to get in behind but his effort to goal was deflected off a defender that gave goalkeeper Darragh McLaughlin no chance. Anthony Kelly nearly goaled for Malin right away but his effort was pushed over the bar by goalkeeper Mulreany.
Kelly punched over a point soon after to after a huge ball in from Joseph Doherty. Stephen Griffin then hit a free to level the game. Paul McLaughlin and Stephen Griffin traded two high quality points – both on the run from out on the right and from distance.
Joseph Doherty had the final say of the half though with a well placed free from the ground out on the left to leave the halftime score Malin 0-08 Naomh Naille 1-04.
The second half was slow to start with two chances missed at goal, Stephen Griffin flashed his shot wide for the Inver men and Dan McDaid’s effort was cleared on the line. It took until the 43rd minute in fact for the opening score, the score was a tap over free but Shaun Kelly had opened up the defence with a sublime pass which saw McNicolas bear down on goal only to be dragged down.
Anthony Kelly then rolled back the years to beat his man on the bi-line and score from the narrowest of angles off the upright. Edward Kane kept the visitors in touch with a score from the D and then Stephen Griffin did well out the right to score and the same player then levelled through a crowded middle to set up a nervy final five minutes.
Joseph Doherty then hit a superb effort from distance to put Malin ahead but it was short lived as Barry Griffin stepped up with two crucial points for the visitors, first he finished off a well worked move up the right and then edged them ahead on 60 minutes hitting over from just right of centre.
As Malin looked to equalise they lacked composure and the hard working sweeper Shane Coneely fed Daniel Meehan to run out two point winners. Malin have no game next week with Donegal playing Derry but they are away to Naomh Muire in two weeks time.
Malin: Darragh McLaughlin, Aiden Bambrick, Daniel Green, Michael McLaughlin, Sean Byrne, Gary Farren, PaulMcLaughlin (0-01), Shaun Kelly (0-2), Ciaran Doherty, Kieran McNicolas (0-1), Joseph Doherty (0-2,1f), Oisin McGonagle, Dan McDaid, Anthony Kelly (0-5 2 f) and Damien Harkin. Subs used Daniel Houghton for Oisin McGonagle (45)
St Naul’s: Gavin Mulreany (0-2,2f), Conor Gavigan, Lee McBrearty, John Relihan, Dermot Gallagher, Edward Kane (0-1), Conor McBrearty, Stephen Griffin (1-4), Ryan Coyle, Daniel Meehan (0-1), Cathal Lowther, Martin Breslin, Shane Coneely, Barry Griffin (0-2) Sean Griffin. Subs: Aidan Meehan for Martin Breslin (34), Shane Meehan for Sean Griffin (45), Daniel Brennan for Cathal Lowther (52) and Ian Campbell for Shane Meehan (60)
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