Cloughaneely and Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin clash in MFC Division 2 decider

Cloughaneely and Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin go head to head in the Division 2 MFC final at the Donegal Training Centre, in Convoy on Saturday, (Throw-in, 1pm).

The decider is a repeat of the 2020 final which was won by a Caolan McColgan powered Naomh Padraig on a 3-7 to 1-7 scoreline.

Naomh Padraig, who have dominated the competition in recent seasons, are bidding for back-to-back titles and a third in four seasons and they are also appearing in their fourth Division 2 final in a row.

Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin minor footballers

They lost the 2021 final to St Naul’s before winning the title back again last season with victory over Malin, in an all-Inishowen decider.

Former county minor, U21 and senior panalist Denis Boyle is the Cloughaneely manager and Donnachadh Boyle, the manager's son, as well as Lorcan McGee are the two big players in the Falcarragh line-up.

“We did not have a good league at all,” explained the Cloughaneely boss. “We were in Division 1 and we only won one game. We beat Glenswilly and lost to St Eunan’s, MacCumhaills and Termon.

“We didn’t have Lorcan or Donnachadh for the league. But it was the same for all teams with county minors in their ranks.

“We were in Division 2 for the championship and with Lorcan and Donnachadh back, we won all our games bar one.

“We lost to Naomh Brid but beat Glenfin, Fanad Gaels, Malin, MacCumhaills, Killybegs and Letterkenny Gaels.”

Cloughaneely defeated St Mary’s, Convoy, in a home quarter-final and they booked their place in the final with a narrow extra-time win over Naomh Columba in the semi-final.

“It was a great game of football. It went to extra-time and we won by a point.

“It was one of those games that could have gone either way. Naomh Columba are a good side and they could have won as easily as we did.

“We are hoping that game will stand to us but we are just delighted to be in the final. The boys are enjoying their football and that is the most important thing.

Cilian McEleny, Finn McClafferty, Jamie McCauley, Tiernan Doherty, Cillian Doyle and Oisin Quigley are the only surviving members for the Naomh Padraig team that defeated Malin 2-16 to 2-5, after extra-time, in last year’s final.

“It is a new look team this year,” said Naomh Padraig manager Karol Lynch.

“Ten of last year’s team have moved on and five of them were playing for the Junior team in last Saturday’s championship game against Moville.

Full-back Darragh McMenamin was a member of this season’s Donegal minor team and Cillian Doyle, in the frontline of attack, was on this season‘s Donegal U-16s.

Naomh Padraig also have a strong midfield pairing in Jamie McCauley and Tiernan Doherty. And their clash with Lorcan McGee and Carragher Friel will have a big influence on the destination of the Division 2 crown.

Cloughaneely squad: Matthew Rider; Stiofan Ó Cuirin, Ciaran Ó Domhnaill, Tomas Ó Dugain; Caolan Mac A Ultaigh, Jamie Mac Iomair, Séámus Ó Dugain, Lorcan MacAoidh, Carragher Ó Frighill, Fionnan Mac Giolla Comhaill, Jack Ó Gallachóir, Thomas Ó Raghallaigh, Donnachadh Ó Baoill, Shane Ó Cuireain, Tarlach Ó Colla, Padraig Ó Dubhchóin, Manus Ó Brian, Niall MacAoidh, Ronan MacAoidh, Sean Ó Baoid, Caolan Ó Ragaghallaigh.

Naomh Padraig, Uisce squad: Oisin Quigley; Conor Farren, Daniel McMenamin, Daithi Peto; Will McLaughlin, Cillian McEleney, Finn McClafferty; Jamie McCauley, Tiernan Doherty, Peter McLaughlin, Cahir McElhinney, Evan McColgan; Mark Farren, Jamie McColgan, Cillian Doyle, Oberon Deane, James Boyle, Cormac Hegarty, Kyle Melly, Owen Lynch, Eoghan Maguire, Diarmaid Grant, Shane Doherty.