Burt clinch first Inishowen Minor title in 25 years with narrow win over Carndonagh

Burt won the Inishowen U18A football championship final when they had two points to spare over Carndonagh at Crampsey Park in Straid on Sunday morning.

Throwing in at 11am on the opening day of the Clonmany Festival, Carn were the earlier risers hitting 1-1 through Ryan Noone and Callum Kelly in the opening four minutes.  

Two pointers from Jack Lynch-Bradley and Aaron Doherty-Clarke gave slumbering Burt a foothold in the match and they turned it around to lead by a point at half time, 0-7 to 1-3.

Burt went on to dominate the second half, monopolising possession and holding Carn scoreless for long periods. They led by 1-9 to 1-3 midway through the second half, but a 60th minute Carn goal reduced the deficit to two points. 

Carn had chances for two pointers in the four minutes of injury time allowed, but were off target and Burt held on for a well-deserved win.

First half

Carn’s strong start came when they were playing uphill and against the breeze and they led by 1-1 to no score having dominated the early exchanges.

Darragh Donaghey was first to threaten for Burt, cutting in along the endline but his shot struck the post and Conor Sweeney volleyed the rebound over the bar.

Burt grew into the game after that, their well-structured defence gradually started to force turnovers and provided the platform for counterattacks.

Midfielder Aaron Doherty Clarke fired over a sideline kick off the outside of his boot for their first two pointer, and Jack Lynch-Bradley followed up with a two pointer from play to draw them level at 0-5 to 1-2 in the 18th minute.

Kevin Boyle used his pace to sprint away from his marker for two points late in the half, with wing back Senan Grant clipping over one in response for Carn who trailed by just a point at the break.

Second half

The second half was keenly contested with some exceptionally good fielding at centre field from Ryan Farnan, Anton Doherty, Sean O’Carroll and Kalvin McLaughlin.

Burt’s defence, superbly marshalled by Kyron McColgan at centre back and Fionn O’Riordan, continued to pressure the Carn attack forcing them into a growing tally of wides as the half wore on.

At the other end, the pace of Burt’s “three men up”, was causing Carn all kinds of problems. Kevin Boyle hit his third point of the final three minutes after the resumption, with Andrew Walker converting a 36th minute free to move Burt three clear.

Man of the match Darragh Donaghey hit Burt’s goal in the 38th minute, sprinting onto a pass from Doherty-Clarke and planting his finish to the left of keeper Oisin Curran and they led by 1-9 to 1-3.

County minor (U17) captain Kalvin McLaughlin pulled a point back for Carn in the 43rd minute, but Donaghey responded almost immediately and Burt kept Carn at arm’s length for the rest of the game, restricting them to low percentage shots from distance.

Callum Kelly converted a 56th minute free for Carn’s second score of the half and when Senan Grant’s long delivery broke in the square late on, full forward Ryan Noone was there to force the ball to the net and reduce the deficit to just two points.

Carn threw everything into attack and worked a couple of shots from outside the arc for two point attempts, but none of them found the mark.

Burt held on to win their first Inishowen U18A final since 2000 - with current team coach Martin Donaghey providing a playing link to that team from 25 years ago. 

Burt scorers: Darragh Donaghey 1-1; Kevin Boyle 0-3; Aaron Doherty 0-2 (one 2 pt sideline); Jack Lynch-Bradley 0-2 (one 2pt); Conor Sweeney 0-1; Andrew Walker 0-1 (1f).

Carn scorers: Ryan Noone 2-0; Callum Kelly 0-2; Senan Grant 0-1; Kalvin McLaughlin 0-1

Burt: Joshua Doherty; Shane Kerrigan, Eoin McDaid, Aidan Porter; Gavin Bradley, Kyron McColgan, Andrew Walker; Ryan Farnan, Aaron Clarke-Doherty; Conor Sweeney, Jack Lynch-Bradley, Kevin Boyle; Darragh Donaghey, Anton Doherty, Fionn O’Riordan. Subs: Devyn McColgan for C Sweeney. 

Carndonagh: Oisin Curran; Shay McDaid, Tiernan Diver, Aaron Diver; Ronan McLaughlin, Hugh McGinn, Senan Grant; Sean O’Carroll, Pierce McConalogue; Mark McLaughlin, Kalvin McLaughlin, Sheagan Doherty; Callum Kelly, Ryan Noone, Olly Coyle. Subs: Ryan McLaughlin for O Coyle. 

Referee: Sean McDaid (Urris).