Four Masters snatch Division 2 title from jaws of defeat against Buncrana

Four Masters somehow managed to win the Marley Travel Division 2 title after a smash ‘n’ grab result against Buncrana, who led until the first minute of added time

The Inishowen side were in total  control in the first half and led by four at half-time. Even though Four Masters showed a little more appetite in the second half, it still looked as if it was Buncrana’s title as they led 0-9 to 0-5 after 45 minutes.

But they went back into their shell and allowed Four Masters into the contest. They failed to score in the final 19 minutes and that gave Four Masters the chance. The Donegal Town men looked reluctant to take that chance as they hit wide after wide but then  got a lucky goal which decided the outcome.

Scores went abegging in the first few minutes at either end. Kevin Treacy and Killian Faulkner had easy chances from frees but pulled them wide. 

Buncrana had county star Caolan McGonagle back in their ranks but he only lasted until the 17th minute. Jason Duignan was black carded for a high challenge on him on four minutes and McGonagle was forced off for attention. He returned but only lasted 10 minutes.

Peter McLaughlin showed the forwards how it was done with the opening point on 10  minutes and they added  two more by the midway mark, Michael B McLaughlin finding Aaron Cleary to point and John Campbell then converting a free after Four Masters ‘keeper Ryan Haughey was unlucky to touch the ball on the ground when he seemed to be fouled.

Dylan Mulholland added a fourth point from a free before Killian Faulkner got Four Masters on the board, also from a free, on 21 minutes.

The Buncrana goal had a narrow escape on 24 minutes when an effort for a point from Sean McKiernan came back off the upright and Killian Faulkner had a chance. There was a hint of a foul, which would have been a penalty, but referee Kevin McGinley waved play on and Faulkner blazed wide.

Dylan Mulholland stretched the Buncrana lead to five with two points in as many minutes before Senan Quinn had the final point of the half for Four Masters on 31 minutes.

Half-time: Buncrana 0-6, Four Masters 0-2.

Buncrana increased their lead right from the throw-in with Peter McLaughlin getting the first touch and then John Campbell lofting over after just 12 seconds.

Killian Faulkner was wide from a 20m free at the other end. Four  Masters had another claim for a penalty but they did get a free and Senan Quinn took over the free taking duties to point.

Quinn missed  another before Seanán Carr fired over a good point. But immediately Buncrana went forward for Oisin Crawford to score and leave it 0-8 to 0-4.

Killian Faulkner converted a free and had another chance which went just wide while Oisin Crawford did well to set up Dylan Mulholland at the other end on 45 minutes.

Richard O’Rourke cut the lead to three with 12 minutes left but they were also racking up wides.

Four Masters were back on terms in the 55th minute when Oisin Reid delivered a high, hopeful ball and  when it was dropped by John Campbell, Patrick Reid accepted the gift to fire low to the corner of the net.

Seanán Carr had a chance but was just wide before Richard O’Rourke won another free for Four Masters as the game entered the first minute of four minutes of added time. The free was moved on and Seanán Carr put Four Masters ahead for the first time in the game.

And it proved to be the winner.

Buncrana scorers: Dylan Mulholland 0-4,2f; John Campbell 0-2.1f; Oisin Crawford, Peter McLaughlin, Aaron Cleary 0-1 each.

Four  Masters scorers: Patrick Reid 1-0; Senan Quinn (1f), Seanán Carr (1f), Killian Faulkner (2f) 0-2 each; Richard O’Rourke 0-1

Buncrana: Adam Harrigan; William McLaughlin,  Sean Doherty, Oisin Grant; Andrew Davison, Oisin Crawford, JP McKenna; Peter McLaughlin, Caolan McGonagle; Aaron Cleary, Michael B McLaughlin, Kevin Treacy; Dylan Mulholland, John Campell, Oisin O’Flaherty.

Subs: Evan McCallion for C McGonagle (17); Aidan Stokes for Cleary (44); Billy Duffy for Treacy (47); Darragh Corry for O’Flaherty (58)

Four Masters: Ryan  Haughey; Aiden McHugh, Brian Fegan, Dylan Kennedy; Sean McKiernan, Caolan Loughney, Aaron McCrea; Oisin Reid, Jason Duignan; Richard O’Rourke, Senan Quinn, Joe Leape; Killian Faulkner, Conor Reid, Jamie Crawford.

Subs: Patrick Reid for Duignan (17); David Monaghan and Seanán Carr for A McHugh and A McCrea (both ht); Calum McCrea for McKiernan  (40); 

Referee: Kevin McGinley (Naomh Columba)