Naomh Padraig sneak a draw with two late goals against Four Masters

Naomh Padraig will take great confidence from their opening match as the newly promoted Division 2 side after they came from 0-6 points behind to edge a draw against Four Masters on Saturday evening in Tír Conaill Park. 

Despite Four Masters finishing with 14 men after Jason Duignan was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card, the home side will be kicking themselves that they let their guard slip and failed to see out the match with Naomh Padraig nailing home two injury-time goals as both sides share a point apiece after round one of the league. 

In what was a slow game that never really sparked to life, Four Masters proved the far better team in the opening half as they led 1-5 to 0-1 at the break, with Killian Faulkner getting that all important goal for the boys in blue, but Kevin Sinclair’s side were upset that they didn’t punish the Naomh Padraig team more as they dominated possession throughout the opening period with the wind in their favour. 

The away side eventually found their way into the game towards the end of the opening period as they held possession of the ball for up to five minutes and took the sting out of the game but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard. 

The score remained the same with neither team scoring for the first 24 minutes of the second half, but once Duignan was dismissed, the away side started to apply the pressure with Eunan Keaveney and Cormac McColgan adding their names to the scoreboard alongside Jonny Toye. 

However, it never felt like Four Masters were going to lose their lead as they tried to see the game out. That was until the 64th minute when Naomh Padraig found that all important goal from a long ball with Joseph McCauley getting on the end of it. 

With time running out and in dire need to win possession, Naomh Padraig secured possession from a turnover with the end result seeing Jamie McColgan to fire home for the equaliser. 

Scorers – Four Masters: Killian Faulkner 1-2; Jamie Crawford, Sean McKiernan, Richard O’Rourke, and Shay Travers 0-1 each. Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin: Joseph McCauley and Jamie McColgan 1-0 each; Eunan Keaveney, Cormac McColgan and Jonny Toye 0-1 each. 

Four Masters: Ryan Haughey; Jamie McCrea, Dylan Kennedy, Aidan McHugh; Sean McKiernan, Caolan Loughney, Aaron McCrea; Oisin Reid, Jason Duignan; Joe Leape, Jamie Crawford, Richard O’Rourke; Alex McCalmont, Killian Faulkner, Shay Travers. Subs Used: Senan Quinn; Conor McShane; Darragh Geary. 

Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin: Oran McCauley; Daniel McMenamin, Cathal McColgan, Cormac Kelly; Micheal McCarron, Darragh McIntyre, Jason McCallion; Eunan Mullan, Cormac McColgan; Rory Hirrell, Kevin Doherty, Oisin McIntyre; Joseph McCauley, Dermot Keaveney, Jonny Toye. Subs Used: Eunan Keaveney; Andrew McCarron, Jamie McColgan; Patrick Hirrell, Caolan Harkin.