In a nail-biting U-21 A quarter-final clash that had fans on the edge of their seats, Naomh Conaill emerged victorious against St Eunan’s, but it was a battle that went down to the wire! This wasn’t just a win; it was a hard-fought, adrenaline-pumping display of skill and determination.
The game, held at Davy Brennan Memorial Park, was a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing stunning scores, moments of individual brilliance, and exceptional goalkeeping from both sides. Think of it as a highlight reel packed into a single, unforgettable match.
Before we dive deeper, if you’re interested in more local GAA coverage, check out this related article: Four Masters cruise into last four in U-21 championship after win over MacCumhaills.
St Eunan’s, with the wind at their backs in the first half, established a well-deserved lead of 1-7 to 0-6. They seemed to have the upper hand, dictating the pace and rhythm of the game. But here’s where it gets controversial… Did they become complacent with their lead, or did Naomh Conaill simply find another gear?
Naomh Conaill, fueled by the wind and a burning desire to win, mounted a stunning comeback. They managed to score a remarkable ten points in the second half, while restricting St Eunan’s to just four. This shift in momentum completely changed the complexion of the game.
In the initial stages, St Eunan’s appeared to be the sharper team. Their midfielders, Luke McGuinness and Pauric Hughes, were particularly influential, orchestrating attacks and controlling the flow of play. Noah Barrett’s powerful runs constantly threatened the Naomh Conaill defense, creating havoc and testing their resilience.
Early on, St. Eunan’s keeper Fintan Doherty demonstrated his shot-stopping prowess with the first of four outstanding saves. Finbarr Roarty, who had been relatively quiet up until that point, played Marc Gavigan through on goal, but Doherty’s lightning-fast reflexes denied them a crucial score. It was a save that had the crowd gasping!
Oisin Scanlon, towering above the opposition, opened the scoring for Eunan’s in the eighth minute, setting the tone for their early dominance.
The momentum continued to swing in Eunan’s favor when Brynn Drumm’s clever chip found the back of the Naomh Conaill net via the upright, extending their lead to 1-1 to 0-1 after ten minutes. Imagine the roar of the crowd as that ball nestled into the net!
However, Doherty was called into action once again, bravely smothering a goal-bound shot from Roarty. This save prevented Naomh Conaill from gaining any momentum and maintained Eunan’s advantage.
Shay Malone, known for his accuracy from placed balls, converted a free for the home side, while Doherty responded with a well-struck 35-metre effort for the visitors.
Further points from Thomas Roche and David Horgan stretched Eunan’s lead to 1-4 to 0-1 after 15 minutes, seemingly putting them in a commanding position.
But then, Stephen McDevitt stepped up for Naomh Conaill, demonstrating true leadership as he surged through the Eunan’s defense and fired a magnificent point into the face of the wind. This score ignited the Naomh Conaill supporters and injected renewed energy into their team.
The nippy Barrett and dual star John Kealy added to Eunan’s tally, putting them ahead by 1-6 to 0-2 after 21 minutes. They were playing with confidence and precision, making it difficult for Naomh Conaill to gain a foothold in the game.
Naomh Conaill’s Danny Brown broke through the Eunan’s defense, but his low shot agonizingly went the wrong side of the post. However, Malone quickly redeemed the situation with a much-needed point from a free for the home side.
Brown then atoned for his earlier miss with a fine point, and Tiernan Ward reduced the deficit to four points, signaling a shift in momentum.
At the other end of the pitch, Eunan’s Philip Doherty had two point-blank shots brilliantly saved by Naomh Conaill’s keeper, Dylan McGlynn. These saves proved to be crucial in keeping Naomh Conaill within striking distance.
Ward and Max Campbell added further points for Naomh Conaill, leaving Eunan’s leading by a slender margin of 1-7 to 0-6 at the half-time break.
With the wind now in their favor, Naomh Conaill started the second half with a renewed sense of purpose. McDevitt, Sean Doherty, and Brown hit three points in a blistering four-minute spell, completely erasing Eunan’s lead.
Campbell then leveled the score in the 38th minute, as Eunan’s struggled to break through a strong Naomh Conaill press. Suddenly, the momentum had completely shifted.
Eunan’s managed to regain their composure with points from Luke McGuinness and Oran Ryan, briefly halting Naomh Conaill’s surge.
Naomh Conaill then had another golden opportunity to score a goal when Brown’s shot was smothered by Doherty. Some would argue that he should have passed to one of his two colleagues who were in better positions. And this is the part most people miss… Could that missed opportunity have cost them the game?
At the other end, McGlynn produced another brilliant save to deny Eunan’s Philip Doherty a certain goal, keeping the scores level.
With five minutes remaining, the scores were tied. The tension was palpable as both teams battled for supremacy. However, three late points from McDevitt, Ward, and Malone sealed a narrow but well-deserved victory for the home side.
Naomh Conaill Scorers:
- Shay Malone: 0-4 (3 frees)
- Danny Brown: 0-4
- Tiernan Ward: 0-3
- Max Campbell: 0-2
- Stephen McDevitt: 0-2
- Sean Doherty: 0-1
St Eunan’s Scorers:
- Fintan Doherty: 0-2
- Brynn Drumm: 1-0
- John Kealy: 0-1
- David Horgan: 0-1
- Luke McGuinness: 0-1
- Noah Barrett: 0-1
- Thomas Roche: 0-1
- Oisin Scanlon: 0-1
- Oran Ryan: 0-1
- Philip Doherty: 0-1
Naomh Conaill Team:
Dylan McGlynn; Fergus Campbell, Jackie Chen, Niall Roarty; Marc Gavigan, Thomas McDevitt, Oran Doherty; Max Campbell, Finbarr Roarty; Marc McDevitt, Danny Brown, Sean Doherty; Stephen McDevitt, Shay Malone, Tiernan Ward.
Subs: Jamie Byrne for Fergus Campbell (half-time), Leon Gallagher/McDyer for Sean Doherty (35th minute), Daniel Breslin for Marc McDevitt (45th minute).
St Eunan’s Team:
Fintan Doherty; Senan Martin, John Kealy, David Horgan; Evan Daly, Eoghan Farren, Brynn Drumm; Luke McGuinness, Pauric Hughes; Evan Hickey, Philip Doherty, Noah Barrett; Oran Ryan, Thomas Roche, Oisin Scanlon.
Subs: Owen Doherty for Evan Hickey (43rd minute), Luca Barrett for Brynn Drumm (53rd minute), Rory Kavanagh for Philip Doherty (58th minute).
Referee: Pat Barrett (Milford).
So, what are your thoughts on this game? Did Naomh Conaill’s second-half performance truly deserve the win, or did St Eunan’s let their early lead slip away? Considering the wind advantage, did either team capitalize on it effectively enough? Share your opinions and insights in the comments below!