St Naul's salvage draw with Buncrana to kickstart life in Division 2

St Naul’s came from behind at half-time on Saturday to finish level with Buncrana despite finishing the game with 14 men as they begin life in Division 2 following their promotion last season. 

It’s always interesting to see how a club like St Naul’s will cope in the higher division without their county men, and while they’ll be upset not to have left Buncrana with both points in the bag after a late Stephen Griffin shot was deemed wide, the men in green and white will take a lot of positives from yesterday’s match. 

Straight from throw in Ian Campbell won mark inside to score, that would be their last score for 25 minutes as Gary Duffy’s team went on to lead 0-6 to 0-1 points. 

The away side would pull one back through Stephen Griffin score to go in at half time behind 0-6 to 0-2. 

The second half was score for score with both sides raising two white flags apiece.  

The St Naul’s men would eventually take control with two second half goals, the first was finished by Barry Burke after a well-orchestrated move from the away team.   

Griffin would slot home the second from the penalty spot after Michael Coughlan was taken down to leave it 0-11 to 2-4 going into the last few minutes.   

Griffin thought he found the equaliser but the score was ruled out by the umpire and after an altercation, Seamus McGonagle referee showed a red card to the St Naul’s player/manager.   

The following kick-out was deemed the final act of the game as St Naul's, throwing everything they had at the opposition turned it over and got a free out on left for Ian Campbell to put it between the posts to leave it all square at the finish. 

Buncrana: Adam Harrigan; Bill McLaughlin, Sean Doherty, Evan McCallion; Andrew Davison, JP McKenna, Oisin Crawford; Peter McLaughlin, Darragh Corry; Arron Cleary, Sean McLaughlin, Michael Bernard; Dylan Mullholland, John Campbell, Oisin O’Flaherty 

St Naul’s: Cathal Charlton; John Rose, Barry Griffin, Caolan Gaffney; Thomas White, John Relihan, Oisin Mogan; Michael Coughlan, Ian Campbell; Jonathan O’Driscoll, Shane Conneely, Martin Breslin; Stephen Griffin, Declan Duignan, Kyle Campbell.