Posted online: Sep 10th, 2008

GAA – Donegal Senior Football Division 1B Buncrana 0-13   Malin 2-0  Buncrana’s hopes of promotion were dealt a severe blow at the weekend in this Inishowen derby at the Scarvey.However victors Malin also had plenty at stake in this game, as they try to lift themselves away from relegation danger.The game started quite brightlt with Odhran Doherty opening the scoring for Buncrana from a free, however this early lead was short lived as Malin replied with a goal almost immediately. Paul McLaughlin collected the ball from Michael Doherty in midfield. He sent the ball across the face of goal and into the path of Paddy McColgan who punched the ball into the net. Malin began to play with a certain degree of fluency after that and even at this early stage, the signs weren’t looking good for Buncrana, as three unanswered points from Matthew Byrne, Anthony Kelly and Brendan McMonagle gave the away side an early 1-3 to 0-1 lead.Buncrana kept their heads up and Daire Irwin and Odhran Doherty both pointed to bring the home side back to just a goal behind.But Malin’s strength was there for show, as they ran riot yet again extending their lead back to five points through points from Michael Byrne and Anthony Kelly.The flow of the game was like a yo-yo, as Christy McDermott and Ryan Bradley again brought the defecit back to three points in what looked to be the final action of the first half.But the competetive nature of all Inishowen clashes once again reached melting point as substitute Benny McGee received a red card for his part in a slight skirmish between the two sides at the end of the half.To add to Buncrana’s misery, Malin’s Paul McLaughlin sent them into a six point lead after he collected the ball from Matthew Byrne and rounded the defence to slip the ball underneath the ‘keeper.Buncrana managed to pull back a point through Paul McGonigle, but the Scarvey men still had a mountain to climb going into the second half five points behind.Half time score 0-6 to 2-5.Whatever was said in the Buncrana changing room obviously had an impact, as the home side quickly reduced the defecit again to three from a Gavin McConnell point and a Paul McGonigle free.Buncrana came close to scoring a goal soon after when they went on a magnificent break which saw Daire Irwin in space with plenty of options. However Malin defender Brendan McGonigle’s tackle, despite earning him a yellow card, probably prevented a scoring opportunity.Buncrana were scoring freely and with Malin only able to answer with one single point, Paul McGonigle brought them level towards the end of the game, scoring from the dead ball.And it looked like commiserations for Malin as Buncrana took the lead from a McGonigle strike, however it wasn’t to be for the Scarvey men.Matthew Byrne brought the sides level again and Malin had chances to score twice in injury time before Michael Byrne fired his side ahead to send Malin home with a vital two points.Buncrana now must win all their games if they are to gain promotion to division 1A.
Buncrana: Noel O’Donnell, Ronan Doherty, Matthew O’Donnell, Andrew McLaughlin, Simon McGrory, William McLaughlin, Stephen Rodgers, Paul McGonigle (0-5), Daire Irwin, Adrian McColgan, Odhran Doherty (0-4), Gavin McConnell (0-1), Christy McDermott (0-1), Ryan Bradley (0-1), Adrian DohertySubs: Brendan McGee (A. McLaughlin), Stephen McMonigle (A. McColgan), Oisin Doherty (A. Doherty, 0-1)
Malin: Declan Lafferty, Kevin McColgan, Damian Harkin, Damian Ward, John McLaughlin, Charlie Byrne, Declan Walsh, Paddy Kelly, Anthony Kelly (0-2), Michael Doherty, Matthew Byrne (0-2), Brendan McGonagle (0-1), Paul McLaughlin (1-0), Michael Byrne (0-2), Paddy McColgan (1-1)Subs: Stephen McLaughlin (McGonagle), Robert Porter (J. McLaughlin)