Inishowen minor final

Malin 2-14 Carndonagh 2-03 By Mary-Anne McNulty Maryanne@inishtimes.com Malin retained their Inishowen crown with ease at the Scarvey on Saturday against a Carndonagh side that, with the exception of the odd flash here and there, didn’t really show up. Mindful that last year’s final between the sides was a tight affair, Malin were determined not to give their opponents a let in, and took the game by the scruff of the neck immediately. Good, lively movement and swift passing from the half and full forward lines proved a handful for the lethargic-looking Carndonagh defence, and all the early action was to found at one end of the pitch. Paul McLaughlin’s opening effort flew wide, but he made amends seconds later when his free sailed through the posts for the opening point. McLaughlin put his stamp on the game further just two minutes later, when he stole in on a poorly-taken Carndonagh free and fired the ball past Padraig Doherty in goal. But though Malin looked the more fluid of the two, the game was a bit of a scrappy affair, and will perhaps not go down in the annals of great Inishowen finals. It took a full eight minutes for Carndonagh to mount an attack, though when it came there seemed hope that this wasn’t to be a one-sided affair. Richie Cummingham sent a great ball in to Dara McLaughlin, but the dogged John G McLaughlin muscled him off the ball. Garbhan McGrenaghan scooped up the loose ball and sent it over to Irlaith McLaughlin, who was fouled, and though Robert McCartney’s free from the extreme left went wide, the move brought Carndonagh to life somewhat. McCartney opened his side’s scoring with an easier free a minute later, and it was quickly followed up by a nice score from McGrenaghan. Eddie Kelly responded with a point for Malin, and the scoring then dried up somewhat as a midfield battle ensued. Malin’s Michael Doherty and Conor Farren, ably backed up by Declan Walsh – who is surely inching ever-closer to a call-up from Brian McIver – proved the stronger, and teammate Terence Doherty reaped the rewards when he was fed a great pass from the midfield that he carried to the square and blasted past Doherty for goal number two. Further points from Cathal McGrenaghan and Doherty himself gave Malin a deserved 2-04 to 0-02 lead at halftime. Carndonagh were given a lifeline two minutes into the second half when substitute Eanna Newton made the most of Dara McLaughlin’s fine pass and sent the ball over the line. But Malin’s Paul McLaughlin was on fine kicking form on Saturday, and his two frees in quick succession knocked the wind somewhat out of Carndonagh. With Malin finding their rhythm, the points started to clock up, with Simon Ward, Doherty, Paul McGonagle and Stephen McLaughlin all making the scoresheet. With 13 minutes remaining, Carndonagh half forward Stephen Doherty was upended in the square by Paddy McColgan, and McCartney sent the penalty home. But, given Malin’s hold over the game, a Carndonagh comeback seemed unlikely, and indeed Iarlaith McLaughlin’s point was to be the last score of the match for his side. Conor Farren scored a fine individual point to extend Malin’s lead further, while the outstanding Walsh scored a great point after a nice passing move with midfielder Doherty. McGonagle and Seamus Doherty were to complete the scoring for Malin, ensuring the title for Paul McDaid’s side for the second year in a row. With Croke Park set to abolish the under-18 category and local boards set to follow suit, it is likely that Malin will now go down in history as the last ever winners of the Inishowen minor title. Man of the Match: Declan Walsh (Malin) Fantastic defensively and dangerous going forward Malin: Ruairi Kelly, Gary Farren, John G McLaughlin, Paddy McColgan, Gerard Green, Declan Walsh, Simon Ward, Michael Doherty, Conor Farren, Eddie Kelly, Paul McLaughlin (Seamus Doherty), Cathal McGrenaghan (Martin Ward), Stephen McLaughlin (Daniel McDaid), Paul McGonagle (Eugene McLaughlin), Terence Doherty (Brian O’Donnell). Carndonagh: Padraig Doherty, Shane Hartin, Sean Doherty, Paul McLaughlin, Carl Diver (Rory Ward), Liam Shields, Conor Doherty, Richard Cunningham, Ronan O’Connor, Stephen Doherty, Robert McCartney, Garbhan McGrenaghan, Shane Doherty (Eanna Newton), Dara McLaughlin, Iarlaith McLaughlin.