Our seniors travelled to Carndonagh on Friday, August 7th in round 7 of the league. With both teams level on points near the top of the table this was a big deal in terms of winning the league and promotion. Carndonagh started the brighter in the opening half, Cian Kennedy pointed a free in the third minute to which Carndonagh matched immediately with a free of their own. Carndonagh created space right down the middle of the Naomh Ultan defence and ran hard towards goal, the shot was blocked well by corner back Jack Boyle but the ball fell very kindly to the Carndonagh full forward for the simplest of tap ins. They built upon that lead adding two points from play before Peter Alvey got on the scoresheet 11 minutes in. Alan Lyons quickly added another the narrow the gap somewhat however Carndonagh were up to the competition, getting a point themselves on 13 minutes. Kennedy free'd just as the water break was called to leave it 1-4 to 0-4 to the home side.

The water break did Carndonagh plenty good as they came out and blitzed Naomh Ultan, in a 10 minute spell they knocked over five points unanswered by running hard at Naomh Ultan, our side did have chances for scores but dropped three attempted points short. Naomh Ultan did receive a lifeline on 28 minutes when Daragh Murrin broke well and was deemed fouled in the box, up stepped captain Alan Lyons to smash the ball down the middle and make it a 1-9 to 1-4 game. Carndonagh did point before the whistle to take us in at the break on a scoreline of 1-10 to 1-4.

Daragh Murrin very much did similar to what he did just before the first half ended, this time he finished a goal off after some well worked play to take it back to three, all happening within the opening minute of the half. Naomh Ultan pushed hard for a score to get that lead down further but Carndonagh were resilient at the back, forcing Naomh Ultan to take difficult shots at the posts. Lyons did have a goal chance of his own in that period, but was surrounded by Carn bodies. Carndonagh did weather that storm and got on the scoreboard after 11 minutes with a point from play. In form Murrin responded with a point from play before the water break to take it back to three points at the very quick break. Minutes after restarting Kennedy struck over a sweet 45' to make it a two point game but again Carn responded, breaking up the field to point from play on 23 minutes. Substitute Shaun White won a vital advanced mark inside the Carn 21 metre line and converted, however that proved to be Naomh Ultan's final score of the game. Carndonagh pushed up on Naomh Ultan and were awarded with a point on 27 minutes, they very much boxed Naomh Ultan in and retained possession well as the game drew out. Naomh Ultan were chasing the game and Carn opened them up to finish off their second goal of the evening with another tap in.

Disappointing result on the road for our side, their second loss in the league. They'll rue at their chances missed but Carndonagh were worth their victory after putting in a good performance throughout. Next up for our side is St Eunans at home on Sunday, August 15th at 2pm.

Final score - Carndonagh 2-14 Naomh Ultan 2-7

Naomh Ultan Team & Scorers -

1. Daniel McGlynn
2. Ryan Rose
3. Jordan Watters
4. Jack Boyle
5. Patrick White
6. Daniel Gallagher
7. Joe Alvey
8. Sean Blain
9. Dermot Gallier
10. Mark Hutchinson
11. Cian Kennedy (0-3, 1f, 1 45')
12. James Byrne
13. Peter Alvey (0-1)
14. Alan Lyons (1-1)
15. Daragh Murrin (1-1)

Substitutions -

Aaron Kyles for Sean Blain

Shaun White (0-1, mark) for James Byrne