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Muff win battle of the Naomh
Pádraigs
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Three first half goals sets
up comfortable victory Naomh Pádraig (Iskaheen)...4-10 (Damien Diver 2-5 (1 penalty, 4 frees); Mark Duffy 1-2; Gerard McColgan 1-0; Aidan Lynch 0-2; Eunan Keaveney 0-1). Naomh Pádraig (Lifford)...0-8 (Laurence Crossan 0-3 (3frees); Daniel Carlin 0-2; Paul Lynch 0-2; Shane Gallagher 0-1). by Jonathan Downey, Inishowen Independent, at Ture |
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Muff secured two league
points with a commanding win over Lifford on Saturday
evening. Three goals in the first half from Mark Duffy,
Gerard McColgan and Damian Diver gave the home side a
eight point margin at half-time, with Lifford never
truly looked like pulling that lead back. However, the battle of the two Naomh Pádraig’s was a lot closer than the 14 point victory for Muff suggests. Lifford’s fitness and running style caused problems for Muff, but they failed to take their chances and take advantage of a strong first half-wind. For Muff, it was precisely the opposite: they converted their scoring opportunities and defended well against the wind. The home side got off to a dream start in the second minute when Mark Duffy surprised both sides with a well driven goal. That score didn’t faze Lifford who responded with two points in two minutes. Daniel Carlin collected the ball from Gerard Devine and pointed Lifford’s first before Carlin again snapped up the breaking ball from midfield and scored from 45 yards. Damien Diver pointed a free before team mate Aidan Lynch drew a good save from Lifford keeper Pauric McGrory. Lynch then repaid for his miss with a point in the 11th minute. Muff increased their lead a minute later when Gerard McColgan gathered the ball inside the Lifford 14 with a well placed goal. Laurence Crossan responded with a pointed free. Lifford were gaining momentum but failed to use the wind to their advantage. Their only score in the second quarter came from Shane Gallagher in the 19th minute. Muff effectively had the game finished off in the 25th minute when Mark Duffy fed Damien Diver with a pass and Diver fired past McGrory. Damien Diver pointed a free in the final minute of the first half to give Muff a 3-3 to 0-4 advantage. Paul Lynch got the game rolling in the 32nd minute for Lifford with well conceived point. That score however did not relight the freestyle playing of the first half. The closest either side came to scoring in the next 15 minutes was Lifford’s Paul Lynch who hit the Muff post. Damien Diver got Muff off the mark again in the 46th minute point from a free. Laurence Crossan equalled that a minute later with his own free. Over the next three minutes Muff scored 1-3 to no reply and put the result beyond doubt. The lively Mark Duffy scored a well taken point on 47 minutes. Eunan Keaveney then gathered a loose ball to shoot over and give the home side a three goal lead. In desperation, Mícheál Ferry dragged down Damien Diver in front of goal. Diver picked himself up and blasted the ball down the middle. Diver added his only point from play, after a defensive mistake by Lifford. Paul Lynch fired over for the visitors in the 51st minute. Muff added three further scores within two minutes with a Diver free and points from Mark Duffy and Aidan Lynch. In the final minutes Lifford increased the pressure with some late goal chances but just could not get past the post and keeper Gerard Harkin. In the final minute Laurence Crossan pointed a free but Muff finished comfortable winners and are joint second with Red Hugh’s but behind Carndonagh in Division 3. Muff: Gerard Harkin; Enda McColgan, Paul Duffy, Dermot Keaveney; Declan McColgan, Raymond McColgan, Brendan McColgan; Aidan Lynch, Martin Duffy; Gerard McColgan, Colm McColgan, Mark Duffy; Ciaran Harrigan, Eunan Keaveney, Damien Diver. Subs: Barry McColgan for Brendan McColgan (32 mins); Ryan McColgan for Ciaran Harrigan (50 mins); Gary McKinney for Declan McLaughlin (50 mins); Barry Hegarty for Gerard McColgan (58 mins). Lifford: Pauric McGrory; Mícheál Ferry, Mark McNulty, Pádraig McNamee; Barry McNulty, Kevin Daly, Laurence Crossan; Gary McGirr, Mark Foley; Mark Carlin, Paul Lynch, Daniel Carlin; Brian Rooney, Gerard Devine, Shane Gallagher. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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