St Eunan's just about fend off battling St Michael's in O'Donnell Park

St Eunan’s picked up another two Division 1 points at the expense of St Michael’s in O’Donnell Park on Saturday evening. 

But there will be some regret for the visitors as Martin McElhinney and Daniel McLaughlin’s side will feel had they been a little more economical in front of the posts, the spoils could just as easily have been headed for the Bridge. 

St Eunan’s led by the minimum at the break but this one only really sparked after Eoin McGeehin hammered in an early second-half goal to leave it 1-7 to 0-5. 

The shackles then seemed to come off at both ends and the final quarter of an hour really was end-to-end action. 

In an opening period that simmered without ever really boiling, it was the hosts that held the slight upper hand at the changeover. 

Eoin McGeehin floated over a two-point free early on but the visitors were soon off the mark themselves as McLaughlin, one half of the St Michael’s management, also converted from a free. 

Edward O’Reilly then played a neat ‘give and go’ with Max Roarty but Conor Harley did really well to get down low at his near post and parry the ball away. 

Opposite number Oisin Cannon came up and boomed over the resulting ‘45 while things got even better on the quarter hour mark as Michael Cannon pushed his side in front for the first time. 

Phillip Doherty responded for Barry Meehan’s charges but Paul Johnston stroked that out as 0-4 now led 0-3. 

But the hosts lifted matters nearing the short whistle and back-to-back punts from Aaron Deeney and Johnston cleared the crossbar to leave the Letterkenny men in the ascendancy at 0-5 to 0-4 at the break. 

McLaughlin levelled it up shortly after the resumption and Eunan’s were off the mark in the second period through Pauric Boyle. 

But the hosts seemed to steal a real march on 40 minutes when Conor O’Donnell Jnr, in just before the break, galloped in to tee up McGeehin, who made no mistake from close range. 

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Eunan’s lead was out to five when Deeney, again ghosting up from corner back, added his second to leave it 1-7 to 0-5. 

But St Michael’s - to their absolute credit - didn’t fold and came roaring back into contention with four unanswered overs. 

Martin McElhinney, Edward O’Reilly, Johnston and Roarty all registered to leave it 1-7 to 0-9. 

Conor O’Donnell Snr steadied matters for the Black and Amber but that respite was fleeting as Michael’s again found real momentum with three more overs on the bounce. 

Calvin Murray and a pair of McLaughlin frees propelled Michael’s from two behind to one in front with five to go. 

Another St Eunan’s replacement, Oran Winston, lamped over a fine two-pointer and the lead changed hands once more. McGeehin then stepped up to the plate in fine fashion as Eunan’s finished strongly. 

And with the resulting kickout intercepted by Padraig McGettigan, he raced in and drawing the goalkeeper, switched to O’Donnell Jnr who rolled home from point blank range. 

Again, Michael’s refused to give up the ghost and with McLaughlin firing off a late brace, one from play and one from a free, a gap of two existed in the dying seconds. 

Mark Dorrian allowed the kickout to be taken but with St Eunan’s winning that possession, the final whistle eventually did signal. 

St Eunan’s scorers: Eoin McGeehin 1-2, 1tp, Conor O’Donnell Jnr 1-0; Oran Winston 0-2,1tp; Aaron Deeney and Phillip Doherty 0-2; Conor O’Donnell Snr and Oisin Scanlon 0-1.

St Michael’s scorers: Daniel McLaughlin 0-7, 4f,1tp;  Paul Johnston 0-2; Martin McElhinney, Max Roarty, Michael Cannon, Edward O’Reilly and Calvin Murray 0-1; Oisin Cannon 0-1,1’45. 

St Eunan’s: Conor Harley; Aaron Deeney, Eamonn Doherty, Noah Barrett; Peter Devine, Sean Ryan, James Kelly; Conor O’Donnell Snr, Eoin Dowling; Oisin Scanlon, Caolan Ward, Philip Doherty; Eoin McGeehin, Luke McGuinness, Pauric Boyle. 

Subs: Conor O’Donnell Jnr for Ward (29), Oran Winston for S Ryan (ht; Padraig McGettigan for P Doherty (48); Noel O’Donnell for Devine (53).

St Michael’s: Oisin Cannon; Dara Breen, Liam Póll Ferry, Jamie Hunter; Patrick McGinley, Stephen Doak, Kyle McGarvey; Calvin Murray, Michael Cannon; Max Roarty, Martin McElhinney, Paul Johnston; Edward O Reilly; Carlos O’Reilly, Daniel McLaughlin.

Subs: Ethan Ferry for Murray (49).

Referee: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhánada).