'Our first half against Naomh Ultan was not up to standard' - Daniel McCauley

Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin manager Daniel McCauley believes his side needs to improve over 60 minutes if they wish to win this year’s Donegal Junior championship stating that his team was poor in the first half last weekend for the standards they set. 

The Naomh Padraig boss did not mince his words when asked for his reaction to Saturday evening's Junior A semi-final win over Naomh Ultan in Convoy where his side emerged 4-7 to 0-7 winners over Naomh Ultan after leading 1-4 to 0-7 at half-time. 

“I thought, by our own standards, we were very poor in the first half,” said McCauley. 

“We got off to a good start but we had a lot of handling errors and fellas seemed to get nervous in possession. 

“I felt we should have been five points ahead at half-time. But in fairness, we regrouped and came out the second half and played much better.  

“We gave away three frees before half-time that allowed Naomh Ultan back into the game, and with Cian Kennedy, they were nailed on scores.”  

The Naomh Padraig clubman was much happier with the second-half performance and in particular the introduction of Kevin Lynch and Drew McKinny early in the second half.  

“We regrouped at half-time and the introduction of Drew McKinney and Kevin Lynch made a massive difference,” he admitted. 

“Kevin and Drew changed the whole dynamic of the team when they came on. They were not fit to start as they were recovering from injuries but to have two boys like that who can come on make an impact a game is huge for the team.” 

Naomh Padraig will now face Carndonagh in an all-Inishowen final in two weeks' time.   

“We are delighted to be in the final,” he said. “Everyone will be focusing on Caolan (McColgan) and Conor (O’Donnell) the two county men going head-to-head in the decider, and that’s something we are really looking forward to.”