From Hell to Heaven in 240 seconds for Naomh Conaill against Glenswilly
Cometh the hour cometh the man! Anthony Thompson was that man for Naomh Conaill on Sunday evening in O'Donnell Park as they came from behind to claim a place in this year's Donegal senior championship final with a sensational victory over Glenswilly.
Thompson, who had posted two points from play beforehand, pulled it out of the hat for last year's beaten finalists when he drilled home their first goal two minutes from the end of normal time They were trailing favourites Glenswilly by three points at the time and had all the appearances of a side holding the losing docket when Thompson launched the lifeboat.
The quick thinking of Leo McLoone also played a significant role in the revival. McLoone found Thompson from a quick free in front of the posts and the county man did not disappoint as he threaded the ball through what was possibly the only gap in the crowded Glenswilly goalmouth.
All aboard, on 1-11 to 2-8, with the clock ticking Naomh Conaill drove on in the closing minutes and with Dermot Molloy (from a 35 metre free) and Leon Thompson from play finding the target they had moved two up again by the hour mark.
Then, in the closing seconds Leon Thompson closed out the deal when he broke the defensive cover to drill past Philip O'Donnell for an Alcatraz-like escape.
On balance over the 60 plus minutes Naomh Conaill looked the more cohesive outfit with Anthony Thompson, Marty Boyle, Leo McLoone and Leon Thompson doing most of the heavy lifting. But what they lacked in football skill Glenswilly more than made up for in heart and spirit.
Heart and spirit that was evident throughout but really came to the surface after Colin Kelly volleyed their first goal 11 minutes into the second half to reduce the Naomh Conaill lead to two points. Up to that Neil Gallagher at midfield, play everywhere Ciaran Bonner and Michael Murphy had been most prominent for the men from the Glen.
Kelly was in the right place at the right time to profit from a broken ball from Michael Murphy in the Naomh Conaill goalmouth. And it was definitely game on when Murphy scored goal number two seven minutes later to tie up the game after Dara Gallagher and Seamus Corcoran had pointed for Naomh Conaill.
Murphy's goal was out of the top drawer. Taking the ball in one hand and under pressure from a number of defenders he moved away from goal before turning to unleash from 10 metres to hammer to the roof of Stephen McGrath's net.
Sensing blood Neil Gallagher pointed shortly afterwards to give Glenswilly the lead for the first time in the contest and when Kelly, twice in the space of two minutes, split the post the favourites were three up and looking good.
But in a last throw of the dice Cathal Corey introduced Dominic Bonner into the defence and sent Anthony Thompson forward. And it proved a masterstroke as Thompson - who drove forward all afternoon at every opportunity - turned saviour with his goal.
Naomh Conaill, for refusing to accept what looked like the inevitable, probably deserved the victory. But if they did Glenswilly will be kicking themselves that they did not hold on when so close to the finishing line.
Their lack of experience, wrong option taking and handing over possession too cheaply cost them dearly. They will feel it is the one that got away, but full marks to Naomh Conaill who never gave up the chase and it was their experience and play-to-the-final-whistle attitude that reaped a rich reward.
Naomh Conaill, who played with the stiff breeze in their backs, were the better side in the first half and deservedly led 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time. Four points – two from Leon Thompson and one each from Leo McLoone and Anthony Thompson - in the opening six minutes set the early tone.
Leon Thompson caused early problems for Glenswilly and was on top of his game. But for all the early endeavours, Naomh Conaill were only two in front by the end of the first quarter. A brilliant Ciaran Bonner strike on ten minutes and a Murphy free on 15 minutes ensured Glenswilly were within striking distance.
After 12 scoreless minutes Naomh Conaill found their second wind and added two points from Dermot 'Brick' Molloy and Dara Gallagher to one from Murphy and Kealan McFadden.
Murphy and Anthony Thompson traded points on the resumption before Murphy provided and Kelly completed the job for Glenswilly's first goal.
Then came Glenswilly's dominant period with Murphy's goal and the Kelly points which seemed to put them on their way until Anthony Thompson's intervention.
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Tommy Donoghue, Johnny Bonner, Ciaran Boyle; Marty Boyle, Anthony Thompson (1-2), Eoin Waide; Martin Regan, Johnny McLoone; Brendan McDyre, Leo McLoone (0-1), Dara Gallagher (0-3,2f); John O'Malley, Dermot Molloy (0-3,2f), Leon Thompson (1-3). Subs: Seamus Corcoran (0-1) for B. McDyer 43; Dominic Bonner for 56; Hugh McDevitt for M. Regan 59.
Glenswilly: Philip O'Donnell; Brian McDaid, Barry Canning, Joe Gibbons; Martin McGinley, John McFadden, Ruairi Crawford; Neil Gallagher (0-1), Gary McFadden; Colin Kelly (1-2), Darren McGinley, Ciaran Bonner (0-1); Michael Murphy (1-3,2f), Daniel Gallagher, Kealan McFadden (0-1). Subs: Gerard McGrenra for D. Gallagher 35; Shaun Burke for R. Crawford 57.
Referee: Seamus McGonagle (Aodh Ruadh).
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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