Bundoran GAA

Reports for all Senior fixtures
will appear on this site.

To read latests underage reports click here

June 29 2008
Seniors
Bundoran 3-14 Urris 0-9
Having been on the wrong end of three-goal results for two consecutive weeks, Bundoran were relieved to get score three themselves and get back on the winning track in Gaelic Park against Urris on Sunday afternoon. The home side got off to the perfect start - Christy Keaney had the first point on the board within 10 seconds and Dara Fallon added the second a minute later and a Fergal McKiernan free made it 3-0 before five minutes had elapsed. A breakaway attack saw Mark McLoughlin put Urris on the scoreboard, Dara Fallon fired Bundoran’s fourth over on the quarter-hour mark and McLoughlin replied for Urris. Dessie McNamara boomed over a 60m free and on the re-start Bundoran lost Fergal McKiernan to injury. His replacement Tommy Hourihane was on the field two minutes when his first touch proved the decisive moment of the first half as he latched onto a Shane McGowan pass to blast the ball to the top right corner of the net to make it 1-5 to 0-2.

Bundoran were now motoring. Dessie McNamara, who was really on his game, fired the ball over from almost centre-field before catching the kick-out and setting up Peter McGonigle who was pulled down. Christy Keaney converted the free. Rossa McKiernan, on the stroke of half-time, ran through the heart of the Urris defence and looped the ball over with the outside of his right foot to give Bundoran a nine point advantage and well-placed for facing into the second-half breeze. Urris, however, were not for throwing in the towel so early and two injury-time frees - from Mark McLaughlin and Dara Doherty - left it 1-8 to 0-4 at the break.

Urris started the second half a much livelier outfit. Simon Friel drove over Urris’ fifth point within a minute and they recorded two wides in quick succession before midfielder Patrick Doherty emulated McNamara with a long-range point – Urris’s fourth in a row to leave just five points between the sides. It was nearly down to two a minute later when a rasping shot from Kieran Friel was turned onto the crossbar by Johny Mo Keenan in the Bundoran goals. Shane O’Donnell broke up a promising Urris move on the edge of the square almost straight afterwards and that was as good as it got for Urris. A Dara Hoey point – Bundoran’s first of the second half – steadied the ship. Indeed it could have been a goal with Tommy Hourihane’s initial shot coming off the base of the post. Hourihane himself converted a free to further stretch the Seasider’s lead and while Peter Devlin replied for Urris, Shane Moohan cancelled any advantage out with Bundoran’s eleventh point.

The defining score came on the quarter hour mark. Christy Keaney shaped to stroke over a 14 m free but by either accident or design his shot cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and into the net catching the Urris defence by surprise to leave it 2-11 to 0-7. To their credit the Inishowen side re-grouped and hit the next two scores, the first a softly awarded free converted by Darragh Doherty and the second a well-taken point by his midfield namesake Patrick Doherty after a good move involving Liam Diver and Alan Friel. The revival was short-lived though. Only minutes on the park Michael McEniff pointed for Bundoran and a sweeping move straight after ended with Shane Moohan driving the ball home to leave it 3-12 to 0-9. This score killed off any lingering hopes Urris might have harboured. Declan O’Donnell continued the trend of substitutes coming on to score when he made it 3-13 and Hourihane had the last say with a tap-over to give Bundoran a confidence-restoring victory ahead of their championship encounter with MacCumhaills next weekend.

Bundoran: Johnny Keenan, Barry McGowan, Shane O’Donnell, Diarmuid McCaughey, Rossa McKiernan (0-1), James Keaney, Peter McGonigle, Shane McGowan, Dessie McNamara (0-2), Dara Fallon (0-2), Dara Hoey (0-1), Christy Keaney (1-2), Declan Rafferty, Fergal McKiernan (0-1), Shane Moohan (1-1). Subs used: Tommy Hourihane (1-2, for McKiernan, 15 mins), Michael McEniff (0-1, for Rafferty, 50 mins), Declan O’Donnell (0-1, for Keaney, 58 mins), Ciaran McCaughey (for Fallon 62 mins), Rory Dunne (for McNamara, 66 mins).

Urris: John Moore, John Doherty, Sean McDaid, Alan Friel, Michael Kelly, Daragh Doherty (0-2), James Green, Liam Diver, Patrick Doherty (0-2), Kieran Friel, Mark Moore, Mark McLoughlin (0-3), Simon Friel (0-1), Peter Devlin, Michael Hargon.

Reserves
Bundoran 3-12 Naomh Mhuire 4-4
Its not often a Bundoran team can afford to concede 4-3 in one half and still emerge eight point winners. With some help for a largely cross-field breeze the home side led by 3-8 to 0-1 at the break and looked on course for a win of cricket score proportions. Fifteen minutes into the second half it was a different game with Urris back to within seven points at 3-10 to 3-3 and looking like they could close the gap further but Bundoran pulled themselves together hitting two points on the trot and while Urris hit a fourth goal they ran out of time.

Bundoran: Fintan Lynch, Peadar O’Keefe, Niall Gillespie, Ryan Walsh, Joey McNulty, Bosco Moohan, Matthew McCabe, Ciaran McCaughey, Daniel Farrelly, Paul McGee, Brian Gavigan, Liam Travers, Terry Munday, Mark Travers, Chris Gaye. Subs used Rhys Goodwin and Conor McEniff.

June 25 2008
Under-21s
Bundoran 2-21 Moville 0-7
A very poor Moville side were still I this game – on the scoreboard, at least, until just before half-time. The ball never left the Moville half for the first ten minutes as Bundoran scored two points, earned three 45’s and shot five wides. Just after the quarter hour mark it was three points to one when a quick free from Jonny Ward to Peter McGonigle was off-loaded to Shane Moohan who smashed to the net. The next two points, however, both soft frees, went to the visitors. Dara Hoey traded frees with Sean O’Neill until Johnny McHale hit the decisive score four minutes before the break. He collected a high ball from Ciaran Gunne, turned and accelerated past his marker before coolly slotting the ball past Sean McLaughlin to leave the score 2-4 to 0-4 and Jonny Ward’s left peg added a point directly after to leave it 2-5 to 0-4 at the break.

Bundoran played their best football immediately after the resumption with Ciaran McCaughey revelling in his new full-forward role with some selfless passing. While he didn’t score he was at the centre of most of the seven points Bundoran scored in the first ten minutes of the second period to put the game beyond doubt. Leading 2-14 to 0-5 at the three-quarter mark, the home side then ditched the passing game which had proved successful as players reverted to seeking their own scores rather than finding men in better positions. However, they finished the game strongly with three points in the last two minutes. Over the course of the game Bundoran recorded 18 wides, most of them scoreable, which gives an idea of their dominance.

Bundoran: Kevin McManus, Ryan Walsh, Niall Gillespie, Gavin Croghan, Adam Dunmore, Rossa McKiernan, Ciaran Gunne, Shane McGowan (0-2), Peter McGonigle (0-3), Ashley Mulhern (0-1), Dara Hoey (0-4), Johnny McHale (1-1), Johnny Ward (0-5), Ciaran McCaughey, Shane Moohan (1-4). Subs: Jamie Spratt (0-1), Chris Gaye, Paul Cassidy, Matthew McCabe, Stephen Ryan.

June 21 2008
Seniors
Bundoran 0-7 Naomh Mhuire 3-11
No report on this match as Bundoran’s league ambitions suddenly look extremely suspect.
Reserves
Bundoran 2-14 Naomh Mhuire 0-11

June 15 2008
Seniors
Na Rossa 3-12 Bundoran 0-9
After their excellent performance in Glenswilly, a depleted Bundoran 15, fresh from 18th and 21st parties slumped to a sound defeat by Na Rossa. The Reserves faired a bit better but still lost.
Reserves
Na Rossa 1-7 Bundoran 0-9

June 6 2008
Senior Championship – Playoff
Downings 0-5 Bundoran 0-15
Bundoran advanced to the next round of the Intermediate Championship, and a clash with Sean MacCumhaills, following a comfortable nine point win in Glenswilly. The Seasiders were first to threaten the scoreboard but wayward shooting betrayed their nice approach work as they registered three bad wides in the first few minutes. Downings ace free-taker Gary McClafferty was much more economical converting two spot kicks to give them a two-point lead after ten minutes. Dara Hoey drew first blood for Bundoran and Shane Moohan levelled matters at the end of the third quarter. Bundoran continued to be profiligate, however, Tommy Hourihane hitting the post with a simple 14 m free, Michael McEniff and Hourihane both strking wides from inside the 21m line, while McKiernan, Hoey and McKiernan all dropped balls into goal-keeper Danny McGruddy’s hands. Despite Bundoran’s dominace it was Downings who took the lead again with Gary McCafferty converting his third free but Hourihane made amends by converting one for Bundoran to level the game again. On 25 minutes Downings then hit there first wide of the half when McCafferty missed a free and it was catching with Míheal Bradley missing the target and Sean Boyce doing likewise in the space of a minute before a dipping shot from Boyce was turned over the bar to leave Downings leading 4-3 at the break.

The second half belonged to Bundoran, however. Christy Keaney levelled matters for the third time four minutes into the second half and a Fergal McKiernan point shortly thereafter gave Bundoran the lead for the first time. Dessie McNamara and Shane McGowan began to dominate around the middle and anything that eluded them was being swept up by the Bundoran half-back line of Rossa McKiernan, Peter McGonigle and James Keaney and the roaming Christy Keaney. Wing half-back for Downings Aaron McClafferty made two strong forward forays for Downings in the first tern minutes of the half but seemed to tire thereafter as Michael McEniff began to create opportunities for his inside line as Hourihane knocked over two points from play to move Bundoran three clear. Christy Keaney added a beauty and McEniff became the last of the six starting forwards to score when he added hit the ninth point. On the three-quarter mark Shane McGowan made it 10—4 and there seemed to be no way back for Downings. Hourihane added his fourth and corner back Peter McGonigle also got on the scoreboard before 23 minutes into the half Downings finally scored, a fine individual effort from Eric Roberts. Downings had thrown in the towel as the Keaney brothers helped themselves to a point each and Shane Moohan, probably Bundoran’s most impressive forward on the day, got the last point of the game to leave it 15-6.

Best for Bundoran were Dessie McNamara, Rossa McKiernan, Diarmuid McCaughey, Peter McGonigle, Shane Moohan and Christy Keaney whose shot selections were often poor but he got through a huge amount of work all around the field. For Downings, Finian McClafferty, Míheal Bradley and Sean Boyce were the most impressive players on the day. Despite the comprehensive nature of their win, Bundoran will need to up their game considerably in the next round if they are to compete with McCumhaills.

Downings: Danny McGruddy, Rory Connor, David Hay, David Baxter, Shane McClafferty, James McBride, Darren Green, Sean McBride, Miheal Bradley, Aaron McClafferty, Gary McClafferty (0-3, 3F), Eric Roberts (0-1, Sean Boyce (0-1), Finian McClafferty, Brian Curran. Subs used: Shay Coyle

Bundoran: Kevin McManus, Barry McGowan, Shane O’Donnell, Peter McGonigle (0-1), Diarmuid McCaughey, James Keaney (0-1), Rossa McKiernan, Shane McGowan (0-1), Dessie McNamara, Michael McEniff (0-1), Dara Hoey (0-1) Shane Moohan (0-2), Christy Keaney (0-3), Fergal McKiernan (0-1,) and Tommy Hourihane (0-4, 1F). Subs used: Declan Rafferty and Declan O’Donnell.

June 9 2008
Under 12 Nirvana Restaurant Regional Final
Bundoran 3-8 Kilcar 4-14
While Bundoran put up quite a fight and briefly threatened a comeback midway through the second half, Kilcar were much the better side and well deserving of victory. Bundoran got off to a flying start with a Niall Carr goal and points from Jamie Brennan, Stephen Cassidy and Jane Carty giving them a 1-3 to 0-1 lead. However, Kilcar rapidly overhauled this lead with Conor Doherty adding two points to his opening score and Jarlath Mooney goaling to level matters before the team in blue and gold took the lead courtesy of a 45 from Stephen McBrearty, taken from 30 m but still quite a feat for an u-12 kicking into a moderate breeze.Bundoran did not lie down, however, and Carty and David Hastings restored their lead before a mix-up in the Bundoran defence saw McBrearty hit the net to give Kilcar a lead they would not relinquish as they followed up with three more points from Doherty and Owen O’Donnell while Brennan replied for Bundoran to leave it 2-7 to 1-6 at the break.

With the wind in their backs Kilcar forged further ahead in the early minutes of the second half with points from Andrew McLean, McBrearty and Doherty, with Brennan adding one for Bundoran. The game looked all but over when a long range shot from Doherty ended in the net to give Kilcar a 3-10 to 1-7 lead. Bundoran, however, showed the character which got them to this final in the first place, wresting control of the midfield area briefly and following two bad wides Jamie Brennan managed to fire a low shot to the corner of the net to give the Seasiders hope. Minutes later Niall Carr got Bundoran’s second goal and the hope of a revival flickered. Kilcar hit back with points from Doherty and McBrearty and then Rory Malaniff scored a beauty for Bundoran to keep them in touch. A shot from Cian McEniff nearly crept in to the far corner but Michael Cunningham in the Kilcar goal deflected it for a 45 and this was as close as Bundoran were to get. The 45 was cleared upfield ending in another long range shot from Doherty which seemed to have been well saved by Bundoran goalie Max Muller but the umpire signalled he was behind his line. Kilcar quickly added another point and were home and dry. Bundoran continued to mount attacks but they were going for goals at this stage and Kilcar were defending their line reasonably comfortably and catching Bundoran on the break as they coasted through the final five minutes to deservedly end up as Nirvana Restaurant Division 2 champions.

Best for the winners were Jason Campbell, Cormac Cannon, Stephen Mcbrearty, Andrew McClean and Conor Doherty who had a personal tally of 2-7, half the Kilcar total. For Bundoran Jane Carty stood out for her determination to battle for every ball down to the last minute of the game, while Max Muller, Shane Carr, Rory Malaniff and Niall Cullen played well for Bundoran. Matt Gallagher presented the trophy on behalf of the Southern Minor Board and Nirvana Restaurant and both teams now progress to the County semi-finals where Bundoran meet Northern Champions Convoy and Kilcar play runners-up Red Hughs.

Bundoran: Max Muller, Brendan Oates, Aidan Mitchell, Paul Murphy, Shane Carr, Conor Dawson, Niall Cullen, Jamie Brennan (1-3), Rory Malaniff (0-1), Cian McEniff, Jane Carty (0-2), Niall Carr (2-0), Timothy Govorov, Stephen Cassidy (0-1), David Hastings (0-1). Subs used: Calvin McCormack and Daire O’Reilly.

Kilcar: Michael Cunningham, Daniel Lyons, Jason Campbell,, Eoin Byrne, Fiona McShane, Cormac Cannon, Ciaran Gillespie, Andrew McClean (0-1), Stephen McBrearty (1-4), Rachel McHugh, Jordan Mooney (1-0), Shannon Molloy, Peadar Conroy (0-1), Conor Doherty (2-7), Eoin O’Donnell (0-1). Subs used: Tracey Byrne, Annie Moore, Shona Campbell, Mary Garvey and Pauric McShane,

June 4 2008
Under 14s Brian McEniff Hotels Division 1
Naomh Conall 3-16 Bundoran 5-4
Bundoran u-14s opened their 2008 campaign with a six point loss to Naomh Conall in a high scoring game in Glenties. Naomh Conall were a bigger, stronger team and while the Bundoran boys fought gamely and got within a missed penalty of level terms in the latter stages of the game, the Glenties boys derseverd their winner. Top scorer for Bundoran was Brian James McEniff with 4-2, with Diarmuid Spratt (1-1) and Matthew Ward (0-1) the other scorers.

May 30 2008
Under 16s County Semi-final
Bundoran 3-14 Clouganeely 0-6
Bundoran’s Brandon Goodwin opened the scoring but Cloughaneely soon equalised with a free before Bundoran took over with Goodwin, Adam Coyne and Stephen Reilly taking the honours as Bundoran built up a six points to one lead shortly after the end of the first quarter. Cloughaneely pull back three points without reply, two from frees, before the break to leave it 0-6 to 0-4 at the end of a mundane first half.

The game is decided less than ten minutes into the second half. Bundoran add points through Goodwin and Neal Chapman but when Stephen Reilly bags two goals within a minute. The Cloughaneely heads do not go down, however, as they add two further points but these are matched by Bundoran scores from Diarmuid Spratt and Stephen Reilly and Brian Larry Cassidy adds a fisted goal to make it 3-10 to 0-6. Cloughaneely fight back to score a goal but this is dis-allowed for a square ball and Bundoran cruise to the finish as Cloughaneely finally give up the ghost. Best for Bundoran were Brandon Goodwin, Adam Coyne, Stephen Reilly, Rory O’Reilly, Sean McGlone and Niall McGonigle.

Bundoran: Ciaran Carty, Rory Boxer O’Reilly, Nathan Carlin-Rosanio, Darren Nails Cassidy, Neal Chapman (0-2), David Stuttard, Niall McGonigle, Stephen Reilly (2-2), Adam Coyne (0-3), Gary Clancy, Brandon Goodwin (0-5), Diarmuid Spratt (0-1), Brian McManus, Brian Larry Cassidy (1-0), Lee Creevy.

May 23 2008
Under 16s
Bundoran 1-8 Clouganeely 1-8
Bundoran got off to a great start in this game with a quick goal from Brandon Goodwin. Cloughaneely recovered however and by the end of the third quarter it was1-1 to 0-3 but Bundoran then hit a purple patch scoring six points on the trot to go in leading 1-7 to 0-3 at the break. The second half saw Cloughaneely dominate the scoring but as the game drew to a close there was still four between the sides at 1-8 to 0-7 but Cloughaneely scored the goal they needed in the final minute and the equalising point from the kickout to bring this game to a replay.

May 19 2008
Under 12s
Bundoran 4-9 Kilcar 3-11
This game was a dress-rehersal for the regional final but neither side were being coy about their tactics. Both fielded as strong a side as they could and the game was highly competitive and hard fought. Kilcar hit three early points to take an early lead but Bundoran hit back with points from Cian McEniff and Jamie Brennan and a Jane Carty goal. Kilcar then found the net and pulled away again and while a Niall Carr goal got Bundoran back in contention the midfield dominance of Stephen McBrearty and the accuracy of the Kilcar forwards, particularly Conor Doherty saw the visitors take a 1-8 to 2-2 interval lead. Bundoran showed great character in the second half, knocking over some lovely points to edge ahead but a Doherty goal put Kilcar back in the driving seat at 2-8 to 2-6 until a Jamie Brennan goal gave Bundoran the lead again. Kilcar again re-asserted themselves hitting two points and another goal to get a firm grip on proceedings but a beautiful goal from Niall Carr put Bundoran back in contention. At 4-6 to 3-10. Kilcar responded with another point but with the clock ticking down Bundoran’s young team dug deep. Jamie Brennan narrowed the gap to the minimum and with two minutes remaining Bundoran nearly stole it but Cian McEniff’s shot cannoned back off the crossbar although Niall Carr sent the rebound over the bar to tie up the scores. The game ended with Kilcar on the attack having been repelled by brave defending by Paul Murphy and Brendan Oates. Best for Bundoran were Aidan Mitchell, Niall Cullen, Brendan Oates, Dylan Stuttard, Conor Dawson and Rory Malaniff. The stars for Kilcar were Cormac Cannon, Andrew McClean, Rachel McHugh, Conor Doherty and Stephen McBrearty.

Bundoran: Dylan Stuttard, Brendan Oates, Aidan Mitchell, Paul Murphy, Niall Cullen, Conor Dawson, Shane Carr, Rory Malaniff, Jamie Brennan (1-3), Niall Carr (2-1), David Hastings, Cian McEniff (0-3), Timmy Govorov, Jane Carty (1-1), Kelvin Mulhern. Subs used: Brian McHenry for Daire O’Reilly, Marek Kurms for Kelvin Mulhern, Calvin McCormac for Max Muller, Caoimhín Drummond for Cian McEniff and Roderick McMorrow for Niall Carr.

Kilcar: Michael Connaghton, Daniel Lyons, Jason Campbell,, Eoin Byrne, Eoin O’Donnell, Andrew McClean, Ciaran Gillespie, Cormac Canon, Stephen McBrearty, Rachel McHugh, Jordan Mooney, Pauric McShane, Peadar Conroy, Conor Doherty, Shannon Molloy. Subs Tracey Byrne, Annie Moore, Shona Campbell, Mary Garvey, Paddy McShane, Brian Carr, Ciaran Hegarty, Donna Carr, Fiona McShane, Lauren McGinley

May 14 2008
Minors
Bundoran 2-16 Naomh Naille 2-9
With both Nauls and Bundoran tying on six points each at the top of Section 1 this was a playoff game to determine who went through to the Regional Final. Nauls would have been underdogs having got to the play-off having won only one game – Killybegs and Aodh Ruadh conceding their games – and missing two of their stars Stewart Johnson and Michael Quinn through injuries. They belied this tag throughout the first half. Having already put two opportunities wide, Nauls still took an early lead with a well-taken Mark O’Donnell goal which Ciaran Carty, deputising for the injured Ashley Mulhern got a hand to but couldn’t stop. Brendan Breen quickly added a point from play but Bundoran got off the mark in the fifth minute with a tremendous individual goal from Peter McGonigle who shrugged off the attentions of three Nauls defenders before drilling the ball to the net. Stephen Ryan quickly levelled matters up at 1-1 apiece but it was Nauls who then took control. Johnny Carr, who had a very busy first half, put Nauls ahead again and Breen converted a simple free to make it 1-3 and when Mark O’Donnell broke through and coolly slotted the ball home to open up a five point gap the favourites were in trouble.

Shane Moohan got Bundoran back on the scoreboard with a well-taken point but Breen done likewise for Nauls. Moohan who was Bundoran’s most dangerous target man at this stage popped over another point and Jonny Ward narrowed the gap to three with his first score of the game. On the stroke of half-time Breen hit his fourth point to leave it 1-4 to 2-5 at the interval.

Nauls were first off the mark in the second period with a Breen converting a close-in free to give Nauls a five point gap for the third time in the game. But that was as good as it got for them. Shane Moohan opened Bundoran’s second half a account with a drilled shot that split the posts. A trio of Stephen Reilly points, the first from a free and two well taken shots from distance reduced the gap to a point. A foul on Chris Gaye saw him leave the action and Michael McEniff replaced him and was immediately called into action to hit over the resultant free and leave the scores level. Minutes later Stephen Reilly got on the end of a flowing move to score Bundoran’s second goal and McEniff fisted over a point to move the gap out to four 2-10 to 2-6.

Nauls were not giving up, however, and had their own purple patch starting with a point from Breen which he created himself with a good run. They had two wides before Breen converted another free to reduce the gap to just two. Mark O’Donnell missed a good opportunity to reduce the gap to a minimum, possibly crucially as Bundoran’s McEniff caught the kick-out and linked with McGonigle and McCabe before punching the ball over the bar to get the Seasiders back on track. He returned the favour to McCabe a minute later and it was now 2-12 to 2-8. Breen hit a good point in reply but that was Naul’s last hurrah as Bundoran closed out the game with points from McEniff, Adam Coyne and two from Reilly. Bundoran now await the winners of the Section 2 play-off between Dungloe and Ardara on Monday.

Bundoran: Ciaran Carty, Peadar O’Keefe, Nathan Carlin-Rosanio, Stephen Ryan, Ryan Walsh, Niall Gillespie, Adam Coyne, Peter McGonigle (1-0), Brandon Goodwin, Matthew McCabe, Neal Chapman, Stephen Reilly (1-5, 1F), Shane Moohan (0-3), Chris Gaye and Jonathan Ward (0-1). Subs Gavin Croghan, Rhys Goodwin, Michael McEniff (0-4), Terry Munday, Richard Morris and Gary Clancy.

Naomh Naille: Shane McNulty, Mark Monaghan, Conor McGowan, Liam Carr, Stephen Brent, Shane McDevitt, John McBrearty, Fiacre McGinley, Johnny Carr (0-1), Barry Griffen, Brendan Breen (0-8), Emmet Blain, Brian Mulhern, Mark O’Donnell (2-0) and Karl Rose. Subs used: Christopher O’Byrne.

May 12 2008 – Under -12s make it to the Nirvana Restaurant Regional League Final
Under 12s
Bundoran 4-8 Naomh Naille 3-3
It took a while to catch fire but this was a hell of a game, particularly for the home support. Naomh Naille’s Martin Breslin opened the visitors account with a well struck free. This was like a cup semi-final for Nauls and it showed – if they lost they were out of contention while Bundoran had the chance of a second bite. Max Muller pulled off a great save and Shane Carr put in a great block as Nauls piled on the pressure. Then Bundoran got the luck of the bounce, literally, as a speculative shot from David Hastings bounced high on the hard ground and over the advancing Patrick Rose and into the net.

A re-invigorated Bundoran then turned on the style with Niall Carr striking over two beautiful points. Nauls struck back when Joe McIntyre converted another free. But Jamie Brennan stretched Bundoran’s lead when he tapped the ball over from 5m under severe pressure from a massed Nauls defence. Salvation for Nauls was at hand, however. A long ball into the Bundoran square was deflected past Bundoran keeper Max Muller by Aidan Mitchell and it was a one point game and Nauls moved back into the driving seat again as McIntyre and Murray began to dominate around the middle of the park. Their shooting let them down, however, as they posted three wides in succession and paid the price five minutes before the break when Jamie Brennan broke loose from the tight marking, but stylish, Manus Darby to lob the ball across the goal and in off the post to put the home side four points up. Bundoran then had two lucky escapes, the first when a Sean Burke shot hit the post and the second when a dangerous ball into the square was deflected past Muller by corner back Paul Murphy but this time the ball squeaked narrowly wide. A fine individual point from Nauls’ corner forward Stephen Meehan left it 2-3 to 1-3 at the break.

In the first five minutes of the second half Bundoran were on fire. Jane Brennan hit an excellent point followed by an equally good score from Cian McEniff. Nauls just couldn’t get the ball out of their half but were let off the hook by Bundoran’s inaccuracies with Stephen Cassidy dropping two, and Jane Carty one, ball into the goalies hands while McEniff and Jamie Brennan both posted wides. Then the tide turned. A long ball into the Bundoran danger area was caught cleanly by big full-forward Sean Burke who turned took two steps forward and drilled the ball past Muller. Within minutes Nauls were ahead when Stephen Meehan again showed his marker a clean pair of heels solo-ing in from the left-hand side and smashing the ball into the net to give the visitors a 3-3 to 2-5 lead. Bundoran refused to lie down but the Nauls boys were equally animated and the pace of the game shifted up another gear.

For five minutes the ball pinged up and down the field with both teams coming close and when a score finally came it was Bundoran who got it – and it proved defining. A great pass from Stephen Cassidy found Jane Carty 14 m out and she rounded the full back to fire the ball into the corner of the goals. A minute later Niall Carr struck a wonderful point to leave it three points between the sides. With ten minutes left Nauls still had plenty of time but a mixture of tenacious Bundoran defending loose passing and inaccurate shooting proved their undoing. Brendan Oates and Aidan Mitchell intercepted crucially at times when Nauls looked like breaking through, Paul Murphy made a goal-saving tackle on Daniel Brennan and Sean Burke, Manus Darby and James Murray all posted wides in a frantic five minute spell. Nauls commitment to attack left gaps at the back, however. A Shane Carr clearance was won by David Hastings who found Jane Carty and her through ball was half-volleyed soccer style by Cian McEniff for a superb goal. When Jamie Brennan posted his second point of the game to make it 4-7 to 3-3 with just four minutes left the writing was on the wall for Nausl. Second-half sub Timmy Govorov almost put the icing on the cake but forced onto his left foot his shot was easily saved. He recovered to block the clearance however and Jane Carty picked up the rebound for her second point and Bundoran were home and dry.

In what was a stirring team performance it would be unfair to single out any Bundoran player for praise and it is a testament to how this team has come on that the scoring burden is now shared across the team rather than being reliant on Jamie Brennan – he got all the scores bar 2 in the corresponding fixture in Mountcharles. Nauls also had a great team performance - the 1-5 margin in no way reflects the difference between the sides in a game that could have gone either way until the last five minutes – but they had some excellent individual performances from Marcus Darby, James Murray, Brian Griffin, Steven Meehan and Leah Burke. Bundoran’s next tie is a home game against Kilcar. Both teams are through to the regional final with Kilcar unbeaten to date and Bundoran’s only loss being on their trip to Towney.

Naomh Naille: Patrick Rose, Patrick Doherty, Liam McHugh, Luke Boyle, Brian Griffin, Brendan McCole, Manus Darby, Jamie Murray, Joe McIntyre (0-1), Martin Breslin (0-1), Leah Burke, Patrick Roarty, Daniel Brennan, Sean Burke (1-0), Stephen Meehan. Subs: Gary Quigley, Mark Boyle, Christopher McGlynn and Sean Griffen.

Bundoran: Max Muller, Paul Murphy, Aidan Mitchell, Brendan Oates, Niall Cullen, Shane Carr, Conor Dawson, Rory Malaniff, Stephen Cassidy, David Hastings (1-0), Jamie Brennan (1-2), Niall Carr (0-3), Cian McEniff (1-1), Kelvin Mulhern, Jane Carty (1-2). Subs used: Timmy Govorov, Dylan Stuttard and Caoimhín Drummond.

May 10 2008
Senior Championship – Second Leg
Downings 0-7 Bundoran 0-8
The referee’s whistle was the key determinant of this game with ten of the games fifteen points coming from dead balls. Bundoran opened brightly and within a minute, a looping shot from Tommy Hourihane was deflected wide off the outside of the post for a 45 but Downings were first off the mark a minute later when a free near the sideline was moved in for backchat and Gary McClafferty converted. Bundoran continued to press with a Hourihane shot just dropping short and then a sweeping move involving Shane McGowan, Shane Moohan and Michael McEniff set up Hourihane but his shot from 3m cannoned off keeper John Coyle and out for the visitor’s second 45m. This time Christy Keaney converted to get Bundoran on the board but McClafferty hit his second successful free to restore the home side’s advantage. Robbie O’Donnell was intent on taking no nonsense, again moving a Downings free forward to a scoring position as McClafferty hit his third point. The next three attacks fell to Bundoran but yielded just one point a Fergal McKiernan free from 30m. The same player earned himself another free a minute later but this time missed from 14m, while Christy Keaney’s under-hit lob landed the ball into goalie Coyle’s hands. Downings then had a period of dominance with McClafferty missing a free and an under-pressure Eric Roberts firing wide. Downings fourth point came from yet another free moved forward to stretch their advantage to two points again. Bundoran appeared to learn their lesson at this stage as it was the last time this occurred. Barney Curran stretched the home side’s advantage to three when he hit the first score from play 25 minutes in. His initial shot was well blocked by Shane O’Donnell but from about 40m out in front of goal he split the posts.. With Hourihane converting Bundoran’s second free the teams went in at the break with the home side holding a two point 0-5 – 0-3 advantage. Needing a win to force the game to a third match, Bundoran had it all to do in the second period.

Within five minutes of the re-start the visitors were level thanks to two Tommy Hourihane frees. Downings remained dangerous, however, and when Peter McGonigle collided with Finian McClafferty the ball broke free to Eric Roberts who bore down on Bundoran goal-keeper Kevin McManus but with a tight angle the goalkeeper turned his shot onto the outside of the post and it deflected to the safe hands of Shane O’Donnell. With Bundoran now dominating the middle of the park, their forwards began to get the chance to put themselves where they needed to be – ahead - but Christy Keaney and Fergal McKiernan both squandered good opportunities. Fifteen minutes into the half they finally ht the front when McEniff set up Keaney who impressively fired the ball over with his weaker left peg. The lead lasted only two minutes with McClafferty converting Downings fifth free to leave it 0-6 apiece. Bundoran were still looking the more likely with Dessie McNamara and Shane McGowan catching most high balls around the middle and Adam Dunmore and James Keaney sweeping up anything loose. The opportunities were coming thick and fast but as in Gaelic Park two weeks earlier, chances were going a begging. A poor pass from Moohan went behind the on-rushing McEniff for what could have been a goal opportunity and McEniff, played in by Fergal McKiernan, hit the ball wide when it looked easier to score. Then it was McKiernan’s turn to shoot wide of the mark and the same player could have made amends minutes later but McEniff badly over-cooked the pass.

Having messed up four good opportunities Bundoran done it the hard way and with about seven minutes remaining they regained the lead as Hourihane caught a high ball, turned and boomed the liathróid between the posts from about 50 m out. With about a minute of normal time remaining the visitors won themselves breathing space. James Keaney, now playing at full forward, was put through by Declan Rafferty and tapped the ball over and it was eight points to six. With Robbie O’Donnell deciding to play eight minutes of injury time it turned out Bundoran needed this breathing space as there was plenty of drama to come. McEniff seemed to be about to stretch the lead to three when he appeared to be tripped by Barney Curran, but the referee deemed otherwise. Downings quickly converted defence to attack and midfielder miheal Bradley fired over a point from distance to make it 8-7. Downings were now committing everything to attack and Bundoran were defending commensurately. A superb block by McGonigle and a wide from Sean Boyce kept Bundoran ahead, just. Six minutes into injury time Downings were awarded a 35 mn free close to the sideline with the ball dropping just under the crossbar Dessie McNamara fisted it clear for a 45. The 45 was delayed as O’Donnell red-carded Declan Rafferty for an off-the-ball incident. Downings took the 45 short but with all bar two Bundoran players in that half of the field despite some good inter-passing they were afforded no shooting opportunities and when corner-forward Tommy Hourihane regained possession for the visitors 30 m out from his own goal and cleared the ball up-field to McKiernan the game was up for the home side.

With Bundoran winning by just the narrowest of margins, the outcome of the play-off game will be a tight call. While Bundoran won the possession stakes comfortably in both games Downings have proved to be a more efficient and more economical outfit. No date has yet confirmed for the third game while Sean McCumhaills await the winners.

Downings:. John Coyle, David Hay, David Baxter, James McFadden, Aaron McClafferty, James McBride, Colin Gallagher, Sean McBride, Miheal Bradley (0-1), Gary McClafferty (0-5, F), Tom Logue, Sean Boyce, Brian Curran (0-1) and. Finian McClafferty. Subs used: Seamus Gallagher

Bundoran: Kevin McManus, Barry McGowan, Shane O’Donnell, Peter McGonigle, Adam Dunmore, James Keaney (0-1), Rossa McKiernan, Shane McGowan, Dessie McNamara, , Michael McEniff, Declan Rafferty, Shane Moohan, Christy Keaney (0-2, 1F), Fergal McKiernan (0-1, 1F) and Tommy Hourihane (0-4, 3F). Subs used Rory Dunne.

Reserve Championship – First Leg
Downings 1-8 Bundoran 0-4
The first half of this game was strikingly similar to that in Bundoran two weeks earlier with Downings rushing into an early lead and going on to dominate the first half. Again Maxi Curran was central scoring 1-3 of Downings first-half scores to give them a 1-5 to 0-1 lead at the break. The Downings goal did, however, owe a debt to lady luck as a good block by Bundoran corner back Joey McNulty looped into the air over the head of Bundoran keeper Johnny Keenan. There was to be no mini-revival for Bundoran this time around however, in a dull second half in which Bundoran never looked like closing the gap.

Downings: Declan Doherty, Ciaran Toye, Rory Connor, Micky Boyce, Gerard McGee, Ian McElhinney, Oisin Boyce, Shay Coyle, Shane McClaffery, John Duggan (0-2), Brendan McGee (0-1), Declan McBride, Kevin Gallagher (0-1), Paddy McGroddy and Maxi Curran (1-4).

Bundoran: Johnny Keenan, Joey McNulty, Adrian Mullarkey, Niall Gillespie, Ryan Walsh, Rory Dunne, Bosco Moohan, Daniel Farrelly, Ciaran McCaughey, Paul McGee, Brian Gavigan (0-1). Fintan Lynch (0-1), Sean McIntyre, Brendan Brennan, Johnny Ward. Subs used: Ryan Clancy (0-2), Niall McGarrigle.

Apr 28 2008
Senior Championship – First Leg
Bundoran 0-8 Downings 0-10
Downings will have travelled home from this match delighted with a first leg victory gift-wrapped by a Bundoran side that squandered numerous opportunities to wrap this game up. The first four scores on the board went to the visitors who were much the more incisive in attack in the first quarter. Barney Curran hit the first score of the game following two wides from Bundoran, Eric Roberts extended their lead with a well worked solo effort, Gary McClafferty made it three and the same player left it 4-0 with a comfortable free. It was the fourteenth minute before Fergal McKiernan’s free registered Bundoran’s first score and as the home side began to dominate around the middle Michael McEniff made it 4-2. Adam Dunmore’s free reduced the gap to the minimum but the home side had a close escape when Seamus Gallagher’s close range shot was deflected over the bar by Kevin McManus. Bundoran immediately regained the initiative and coming up to the break had taken the lead for the first time. McKiernan started the ball rolling again with a long-range effort from the right hand side and then having missed his last two efforts hit the equaliser from a central position just outside the 45m line. An excellent Christy Keaney point gave the Seasiders the lead for the first and only time in the game. Eric Roberts, who was proving a thorn in Bundoran’s side solo’d in from the left to fist the ball over the bar and minutes later on the stroke of half-time he lobbed the ball over from the left to give Downings a 7-6 half-time advantage.

First blood went to Downings in the second half with another McClafferty free but from then until the final couple of minutes Bundoran almost completely dominated the possession stakes but had left their shooting boots behind in the dressing room. McEniff finally registered Bundoran’s first score of the half after 12 minutes and three wides. Four more Bundoran wides followed before Downings extended their lead with Robert’s long range effort hitting the inside of the post to make it 9-7. Downings then nearly put the game beyond reach but a superb save from McManus from a one-on-one with Seamus Gallagher saved the day, temporarily, for the seasiders. Within minutes Bundoran had a golden opportunity to take the lead when a sweeping move involving McEniff, Peter McGonigle and Shane Moohan put Christy Keaney through but his shot close range shot hit the side-netting. The home side registered just their second score of the half from a McKiernan free on twenty minutes and having earned a free himself, the same player missed a chance to equalise from a closer kick two minutes later. On the re-start the home side came close again when Coyle tipped a McGonigle shot onto the bar and was fouled on gathering the rebound. With time ticking away Bundoran had two more bad wides and one last goal-chance when a McNamara shot from the edge of the square was blocked by a combination of Kevin McHugh and David Hay. In contrast to the home side, Downings were well capable of converting their scoring opportunities and Gary McClafferty put the icing on the cake with the visitor’s tenth score with a 14m free from a very acute angle.

In a game that threatened to boil over 15 minutes in and again just before half-time, Kieran McShea managed to defuse tensions and the second half was a much more sporting affair. While its double advantage to Downings for the second game - home advantage and a game up - if Bundoran can improve on their shooting and approach work in front of the posts this tie will go to three matches. Best for Bundoran were Rossa McKiernan, Barry McGowan, Richie Gillespie and Diarmuid McCaughey, while for Downings the sharp-shooting Gary McClafferty and Eric Roberts stood out as did Miheal Bradley and David Hay.

Downings:.John Coyle, David Baxter, Kevin McGee, David Hay, Colin Gallagher, James McBride, Darren Green, Sean McBride, Miheal Bradley, Aaron McClafferty Brian Curran (0-1), Gary McClafferty (0-4, 3F), Eric Roberts (0-4), Seamus Gallagher (0-1) and Tom Logue. Subs used Sean Boyce, James McFadden.

Bundoran: Kevin McManus, Barry McGowan, James Keaney, Diarmuid McCaughey, Rossa McKiernan, Shane McGowan, Adam Dunmore (0-1, F), Richie Gillespie, Dessie McNamara, Emmett Travers, Fergal McKiernan (0-5, 4F), Michael McEniff (0-2), Shane Moohan, Christy Keaney (0-1), Declan Rafferty. Subs used Peter McGonigle.

Reserve Championship – First Leg
Bundoran 1-8 Downings 2-8
The first half of this game was the Maxi Curran show as the Downings wing forward scored 1-5 and set up the other goal for the visitors before Bundoran even got on the scoreboard. The first score of the game was a Paddy McGroddy goal after 30 seconds and Curran followed up with one from play and four converted frees before touching in a pass from Kevin Gallagher. Two Mark Travers frees coming up to the break got the Seasiders of the mark to leave it 2-5 to 0-2 at the interval. Bernard McGee opened the second half-scoring and Curran hit the target again to leave it 2-7 to 0-2 at which point Bundoran seemed to get a new lease of life. Chris Chapman lobbed over their first score from play and Travers converted two frees and a 45m before Brian Gavigan hit the net with rasping shot having been set up by Ryan Walsh. When Travers scored from play to leave it 2-7 to 1-7 it looked like a revival of Lazarus proportions was on the cards. Brain Boyce got forward to get the visitors first score in 20 minutes but Bundoran roared back with a Paul McGee point to set up a grandstand finish. Downings held out comfortably, however, and the last opportunity of the game fell to them when the impeccable, until then, Maxi Curran stoked a free narrowly wide. It didn’t matter, however, and Downings will travel North relieved that the home side left it so late to get their act together.

Downings: Declan Doherty, Ciaran Toye, Rory Connor, Micky Boyce, Brian Boyce (0-1), Ian McElhinney, Oisin Boyce, Shay Coyle, Shane McClaffery, Francis McHugh, Bernard McGee (0-1), Gerard McGee, Kevin Gallagher, Paddy McGroddy (1-0) and Maxi Curran (1-6).

Bundoran: Johnny Keenan, Joey McNulty, Niall Gillespie, Ryan Walsh, Rory Dunne, Bosco Moohan, Mark Daly, Canice Nicholas, Chris Chapman (0-1), Paul McGee (0-1), Brian Gavigan (1-0), Rhys Goodwin, Mark Travers (0-6, 4F), Ashley Mulhern, Sean McIntyre. Subs used: Conor McEniff, Ryan Clancy.

Apr 21 2008
Seniors
Naomh Bríd 0-3 Bundoran 1-11
Naomh Bríd, aided by a light breeze, had the bulk of possession in the first half but failed t make use of it with just a point to their credit compared to three for Bundoran at the break. The home side opened the scoring but failed to hit the target again until early in the second half. However, by then, following two Shane Moohan points and one Fergal McKiernan it was 0-6 to 0-2. Christy Keaney hit the net to open up a seven point gap and Naomh Bríd re-doubled their efforts to get back in the game but two excellent saves by Kevin McManus kept them out as Michael McEniff, and Fergal McKiernan added to the Seasider’s tally before the home team hit their final point to leave it 1-8 to 0-3. The game was already closed out at this stage as McEniff hit two more points and Christy Keaney scored from long range to put the icing on the cake.

Bundoran: Kevin McManus, Barry McGowan, Shane O’Donnell, Diarmuid Spratt, Rossa McKiernan, James Keaney, Adam Dunmore, Richie Gillespie, Dessie McNamara, Michael McEniff (0-4), Fergal McKiernan (0-2), Christy Keaney (1-1), Tommy Hourihan (0-1), Declan Rafferty, Shane Moohan (0-3). Subs used: Liam Travers.

Ref: Sean Campbell

Reserves
Naomh Bríd 2-2 Bundoran 2-16
A game of two halves in name only, this one was over at the interval with Bundoran holding a 2-8 to no score lead and looking unassailable. It was honours even in the second half with the home side salvaging some pride. Sean McIntyre and Rhys Goodwin were the goal-scorers for Bundoran with Mark Travers hitting 10 of their sixteen points.

Bundoran: Johnny Keenan, Joey McNulty, Adrian Mullarkey, Niall Gillespie, Rory Dunne, Ryan Walsh, Bosco Moohan, Liam Travers, Chris Chapman, Mark Travers, Paul Magee, Richie Morris, Ashley Mulhern, Rhys Goodwin, Sean McIntyre. Subs Brendan Brennan, Conor McEniff,, Terry Munday

Ref: Terence McShea

May 7 2008 – Under -16s win the Donegal Adventure Centre Regional League
Under 16s
Bundoran 1-10 Aodh Ruadh 1-3
Bundoran lifted the first Southern Regional title of 2007 on Wednesday May 7th. While they comfortably out-scored Aodh Ruadh they could still count themselves fortunate as the Ballyshannon side twice hit the woodwork in the closing ten minutes. Playing with the aid of the breeze, half-back Neil Chapman opened the scoring for Bundoran and mid-fielder Stephen Reilly quickly added a second. Ronan McGurn pointed a free for Aodh Ruadh and Brandon Goodwin done likewise for Bundoran and then added another from play. A brilliant save from Bundoran captain Ciaran Carty denied Gerard Kelly an equaliser but it was level scores soon after when a penalty was rather harshly awarded against Rory O’Reilly and Peter Boyle crashed the spot-kick home.

Bundoran’s response to this setback was almost instantaneous as Adam Coyne solo’d through the Aodh Ruadh defence and slotted the ball home just inside the left-hand post and Goodwin followed up with his third point to make it 1-5 to 1-1. Aodh Ruadh’s key strategy of running at the Bundoran defence was not working against the hard tackling of Chapman, Nathan Carlin-Rosanio and Niall McGonigle and while the Bundoran side were conceding an uncommonly large number of frees they were all outside scoring distance. On the stroke of half-time Gary Clancy scored from distance with his weaker left foot to give the Seasiders a five-point interval advantage.

Bundoran won the throw-in but immediately conceded possession with a foul by Stephen Reilly who appeared to pick up a booking but it must have been a tick as he also seemed to be booked ten minutes later. All in all Bundoran’s tackling did not seem to accord with referee Gabriel O’Donnell’s definition as they conceded 31 frees throughout the game while winning just 8. Five minutes into the half Goodwin registered his fourth point and Bundoran’s seventh. The same player added another before Luke Toland got the Ballyshannon boys off the mark. With Bundoran over-elabourating in front of the posts and Aodh Ruadh plain inaccurate the standard of forward play was leaving much to be desired as the half progressed. Coyne hit a beautiful point on 45 minutes to lighten up the rather prosaic proceedings.

Aodh Ruadh’s second half offensive strategy of hitting full-forward with long balls nearly paid off three times in the final quarter but a combination of tenacious defending and bad luck kept Aodh Ruadh scoreless. Under pressure both Boyle and Niall Thomas hit wides but Martin Larkin then pointed an easy free to keep Aodh Ruadh within two scores. The Ballyshannon boys nearly got the break they were looking for but Niall Murray’s shot came back off the outside of the post and was cleared by Nails Cassidy. Minutes later David Stuttard put in a great block on Peter Boyle’s goal-bound shot but Boyle got the upper hand with the next fifty-fifty ball but drove the ball off the crossbar. The clearance began a well worked move that ended with Diarmuid Spratt despatching the ball over the bar and it was curtains for a gallant Aodh Ruadh.

Best for Bundoran were David Stuttard, Rory O’Reilly, Diarmuid Spratt, Stephen Reilly, Brandon Goodwin, Niall McGonigle and Adam Coyne, while for Aodh Ruadh the stars were Conor Patton, Ronan Drummond, Gerard Kelly, Ruari Drummond and Peter Boyle. Niamh Hamill from the Donegal Adventure Centre presented the trophy to Bundoran captain Ciaran Carty and SRB official Matt Gallagher wished both teams the best in their County semi-finals.

Bundoran: Ciaran Carty, Rory O’Reilly, Nathan Carlin-Rosanio, Darren Nails Cassidy, Neal Chapman (0-1), David Stuttard, Niall McGonigle, Stephen Reilly (0-1), Adam Coyne (1-1), Gary Clancy (0-1), Brandon Goodwin (0-5), Diarmuid Spratt (0-1), Brian McManus, Brian Larry Cassidy, Lee Creevy.

Aodh Ruadh: Martin Gallagher, Stephen Clarke, Conor Patton, Paddy Meehan, Ciaran Keown, Ronan Drummond, Tommy Patton, Luke Toland (0-1), Gerard Kelly, Niall Thomas, Ronan McGurn (0-1, F), Ruari Drummond, Martin Larkin (0-1, F), Peter Boyle (1-0), Niall Murray. Subs used: Braonnain Drummond.

May 7 2008
Under 16s
Bundoran 1-10 Aodh Ruadh 1-3
Bundoran lifted the first Southern Regional title of 2007 when while they comfortably out-scored Aodh Ruadh throughout could still count themselves fortunate as the Ballyshannon side twice hit the woodwork in the closing ten minutes. Playing with the aid of the breeze, half-back Neil Chapman opened the scoring for Bundoran and mid-fielder Stephen Reilly quickly added a second. Ronan McGurn pointed a free for Aodh Ruadh and Brandon Goodwin done likewise for Bundoran and then added another from play. A brilliant save from Bundoran captain Ciaran Carty denied Gerard Kelly an equaliser but it was level scores soon after when a penalty was rather harshly awarded against Rory O’Reilly and Peter Boyle crashed the spot-kick home.

Bundoran’s response to this setback was almost instantaneous as Adam Coyne solo’d through the Aodh Ruadh defence and slotted the ball home just inside the left-hand post and Goodwin followed up with his third point to make it 1-5 to 1-1. Aodh Ruadh’s key strategy of running at the Bundoran defence was not working with the hard tackling of Chapman, Nathan Carlin-Rosanio and Niall McGonigle and while the Bundoran side were conceding an uncommonly large number of frees they were all outside scoring distance. On the stroke of half-time Gary Clancy scored from distance with his weaker left foot to give the Seasiders a five-point interval advantage.

Bundoran won the throw-in but immediately conceded possession with a foul by Stephen Reilly who appeared to pick up a booking but it must have been a tick as he also seemed to be booked ten minutes later. All in all Bundoran’s tackling did not seem to accord with referee Gabriel O’Donnell’s definition as they conceded 31 frees throughout the game while winning just 8. Five minutes into the half Goodwin registered his fourth point and Bundoran’s seventh. The same player added another before Gerard Kelly got the Ballyshannon boys off the mark. With Bundoran over-elabourating in front of the posts and Aodh Ruadh plain inaccurate the standard of forward play was leaving much to be desired as the half progressed. Coyne hit a beautiful point on 45 minutes to lighten up the rather prosaic proceedings.

Aodh Ruadh’s offensive strategy of hitting full-forward with long balls nearly paid off three ties in the final quarter but a combination of tenacious defending and bad luck kept Aodh Ruadh scoreless. Under pressure both Boyle and Niall Thomas hit wides but Martin Larkin then pointed an easy free to keep Aodh Ruadh within two scores. The Ballyshannon boys nearly got the break they were looking for with but Niall Murray’s shot came back off the outside of the post and was cleared by Nails Cassidy. Minutes later David Stuttard put in a great block on Peter Boyle’s goal-bound shot but Boyle got the upper hand with the next fifty-fifty ball but drove the ball off the crossbar. The clearance began a well worked move that ended with Diarmuid Spratt despatching the ball over the bar and it was curtains for a gallant Aodh Ruadh.

Best for Bundoran were David Stuttard, Rory O’Reilly, Stephen Reilly, Brandon Goodwin, Niall McGonigle and Adam Coyne, while for Aodh Ruadh the stars were Conor Patton, Ronan Drummond, Gerard Kelly, Ruari Drummond and Peter Boyle. Niamh Hamill from the Donegal Adventure Centre presented the trophy to Bundoran captain Ciaran Carty and SRB official Matt Gallagher wished both teams the best in their County semi-finals.

Aodh Ruadh: Martin Gallagher, Stephen Clarke, Conor Patton, Paddy Meehan, Ciaran Keown, Ronan Drummond, Tommy Patton, Luke Toland, Gerard Kelly (0-1), Niall Thomas, Ronan McGurn (0-1, F), Ruari Drummond, Martin Larkin (0-1, F), Peter Boyle (1-0), Niall Murray. Subs used: Braonnain Drummond.

May 5 2008
Under 12s
Bundoran 3-5 Naomh Bríd 2-4
A kick of the ball was all that separated these two teams – it was that close in the last five minutes. Naomh Bríd started brighter with a Killian Byrne goal after two minutes giving the visitors a lead they would hold until early in the second half. A Craig McGrory point stretched their lead but this was soon cancelled out by a Jamie Brennan point. Ciaran Boyle pointed a free for Naomh Bríd but Kelvin Mulhern won a penalty for the Seasiders after he was dragged down after being first to react to a Brennan shot that cannoned off the crossbar. Stephen Cassidy’s spot-kick was well saved by Conor Cassidy but Brennan pounced on the rebound to put Bundoran back in the game. Within minutes, however, Byrne had goaled again and two more points from Brennan left it 1-3 to 2-2 at the break.

Bundoran had most of the early possession in the second half but Conor Cassidy was the grateful recipient of a lot of shots that fell short before Brennan pounced on a loose ball to drill the ball to the net and the home side had hit the front. A Brennan free extended their lead and it would be a full ten minutes before another score was registered, Naomh Bríd’s first of the half to make it 2-4 to 2-3. A superb block by Niall Cullen prevented the equalising point and then as the game entered the last five minutes we had high drama. A long looping shot from Niall Carr was misjudged by the otherwise impeccable Cassidy and all f a sudden Bundoran had breathing space. McGrory got one back to make it 3-4 to 2-4 and then Byrne’s shot shaved the wrong side of the post when it seemed Naomh Bríd were about to equalise. The final score of the game, a converted free by Jamie Brennan secured two valuable points for the home side to keep them in pole position for the regional final.

Naomh Bríd: Conor Cassidy, Peter Gorman, Sean Duffy, Gary Timoney, Shane Timoney, Ultan Egan, Shane Ward, Owen McGarrigle, Craig McGrory (0-2), Ciaran Boyle (0-1), Gerard Martin, Gerard Gallagher (0-1), Killian Byrne (2-0), Eoghan Quinn. Subs: Jason Doherty, David Timoney and Conor McGrory

Bundoran: Max Muller, Paul Murphy, Aidan Mitchell, Brendan Oates, Niall Cullen, Shane Carr, Conor Dawson, Rory Malaniff, Stephen Cassidy (), David Hastings, Jamie Brennan (2-5), Timmy Govorov, Cian McEniff, Jane Carty. Kelvin Mulhern. Subs used: Daire O’Reilly and Niall Carr (1-0).

May 2 2008
Minors
Bundoran 2-5 Killybegs 0-6
This was a do or die game for both teams in terms of their league aspirations – defeat for either and their league season was over - and this was evident in the urgent approach of both teams and their nervousness in front of the posts. There were only five points in the first half, three for Killybegs and two for Bundoran, but 16 wides – nine for Bundoran and seven for the visitors. Killybegs were first off the mark with a Donal Maguire point,. Stephen Reilly equalised almost immediately but Maguire put the visitors ahead again and Louis McNern made it 3-1 shortly afterwards. A Michael McEniff free was the only other score of the first half.

The game’s outcome hinged on the first eight minutes of the second half. McEniff, now at midfield quickly set up Jonny Ward who still had a lot to do but rounded his man and despite a good save by Conor Murray was quick enough to finish the ball to the net. Three minutes later substitute Chris Gaye put Ward through again and he coolly slotted the ball past Murray. When Michael McEniff slotted over from close to the sideline Killybegs were six points behind and in trouble. It should have been curtains minutes afterwards when Peter McGonigle set up Gaye on the edge of the small square but Murray made a superb save and Killybegs cleared the rebound. Fifteen minutes in a Donal Maguire free finally got Killybegs off the mark to leave it 2-3 to 0-4 but Shane Moohan quickly restored the Seasiders’ two goal advantage. McNern narrowed the deficit and again Moohan negated the advantage with a shot that skimmed the bar. With the clock ticking down Killybegs came close but McEniff was back on the line to clear the danger. Maguire got another point for Killybegs and on the stroke of full-time a fabulous tackle from Niall Gillespie certainly stopped McNern getting what could have been a face-saving goal for Killybegs but Terence McShea blew for time seconds later and the two crucial points went to Bundoran.

Killybegs: Conor Murray, Jason Ward, Ciaran Connaghton, Ryan O’Hara, Ronan Dunne, Ronan Boyle, Dylan Kyles, Louis McNern (0-2), Gavin Boyle, Mark McCloskey, Brian Campbell, Paul McFadden, Donal McGuire (0-4), Paul Molloy, Sean McLoughlin. Subs used: Brendan Breslin, Austin Breslin.

Bundoran: Ashley Mulhern, Peadar O’Keefe, Niall Gillespie, Stephen Ryan, Ryan Walsh, Neal Chapman, Adam Coyne, Brandon Goodwin, Peter McGonigle, Michael McEniff (0-2), Matthew McCabe, Stephen Reilly (0-1), Gavin Croghan, Johnny Ward (2-0), Shane Moohan (0-2). Subs used: Chris Gaye.

April 21 2008
Under 16s
Bundoran Points Naomh Nailles DNF
This result leaves Bundoran thru to the Donegal Adventure Centre regional final. The original date for this game was Friday May 2nd but this clashes with the re-arranged minor match v Killybegs.

April 23 2008
Under 12s
Naomh Columba 4-6 Bundoran 8-6
Bundoran’s last away match of the Nirvana Restaurant Division 2 league saw them travel to Glencolumbcille where they quickly showed they meant to bounce back from their recent defeat to Kilcar, leading by 4-3 to no score at the quarter hour mark. Naomh Columba, however, were not going to be humiliated in their own home and, deapite playing into a stiff breeze, rallied with 2-3 to a solitary Bundoran point before Jamie Spratt hit the net again and Cian McEniff and Jane Carty pointed to leave it 5-5 to 2-3 at the break. Naomh Columba, now with the elements on their side, began to chip away at the Bundoran lead and had narrowed the gap to a goal at 4-5 to 5-5 before Jamie Brennan opened Bundoran’s second half account. With the game now in the balance the young Bundoran side showed character hitting two goals in quick succession, dis-heartening a plucky Glen side and while Naomh Columba hit one further point Bundoran hit the net again to run out comfortable winners.

April 23 2008
Minors
Four Masters 2-13 Bundoran 1-10
An under-strength Bundoran minors experienced their first defeat of the season against an equally depleted Four Masters side. The home side were missing County minor Sean Kennedy and the suspended Jarlath Ruane while Josh Lacey was carrying an ankle injury and playing in the unfamiliar berth of full forward. Bundoran lost five players in the space of two days from when the match was originally scheduled for on Wednesday with Gavin Croghan and David Stuttard leaving town, Stephen Ryan twisting his ankle, Nathan Carlin Rosanio contracting a tummy bug and Neil Chapman breaking his toe to join Jonny Ward on the long-term injury list.

Four Masters drew first blood with an Oisin McGinely point and Conor McDaid made it 2-0 before a Stephen Reilly free got Bundoran off the mark. Shane Moohan hit a nice point to being the sides level and Matthew McCabe gave them the lead, taking his point rather than opting to go for goal from about 6 metres out. Josh Lacey soon equalised for Masters in what was shaping up to be a tight match. That perception soon changed as Michael McEniff suddenly sprang to life. Starting a move deep within his own half he popped up 30m out to drive the ball over the bar. Minutes later following a one-two with Moohan he hit shaved the outside of the post as he went for goal from about ten metres out but made no mistake from a similar angle sixty seconds later. Stephen Reilly hit another point to leave it 1-5 to 0-3. This was as good as it got for Bundoran as Four Masters were about to hit 2-7 without reply.

A McDaid free got the scoreboard moving for the Donegal side. A poor Bundoran pass coming out of defence was gathered Ryan Muldoon and his high ball into the Bundoran square was met by the fist of John Boyle and it was suddenly 1-4 to 1-5 and game on again. Boyle was quickly on the mark again to level matters and Paul McIntyre followed with another point to give the home side the lead. On the stroke of half-time Josh Lacey pounced on hesitancy between Mulhern and Gillespie to poke a loose ball to the net to leave it 2-6 to 1-5 at the interval. Four Masters took up where they left off after the break, controlling midfield and picking off the scores. Conor O’Donnell hit the first score of the second half within seconds of the re-start, McDaid pointed a free and followed up with one from play and substitute Jason Duignan was barely on the pitch when he made it double scores 2-10 to 1-5. Bundoran moved Peter McGonigle to midfield and immediately began to get back into the game. McEniff hit their first score of the second half and followed with a converted free. While the visitors were dominating possession, Four Masters were well capable of hitting them on the break and it was Duignan again who hit their 11th point. McEniff hit another free over the bar and following two bad misses, Moohan made it 1-9 to 2-11. Four Masters were flooding their defense but McEniff broke free but was denied by a first class save by Sean Martin. A close range free from Moohan hit the top of the bar and over but at 1-10 to 2-11 this was as close as Bundoran got, well taken points from John Boyle and Duignan closing out the game for a well deserved victory for the home team.

Bundoran: Ashley Mulhern, Ryan Walsh, Niall Gillespie, Peadar O’Keefe, Adam Coyne, Peter McGonigle, Jamie Spratt, Rhys Goodwin, Brandon Goodwin, Stephen Reilly (0-2), Matthew McCabe (0-1), Michael McEniff (1-4, 2F), Richie Morris, Shane Moohan (0-3, 1F), Gary Clancy. Subs used: Ciaran Carty.

Four Masters: Sean Martin, Matthew McGinty, Ryan Gallagher, Niall Harvey, John Corley, Paul McIntyre (0-1), Jamie McCrea, Ronan Harvey, Oisin McGinty (0-1), Conor O’Donnell (0-1), Conor McDaid (0-4, 3F), Odran Duke, Ryan Muldoon, Josh Lacey (1-1), John Boyle (1-2). Subs used: Jordan Carty, Jason Duignan (0-3).

April 21 2008
Under 16s
Bundoran 5-24 Dungloe 2-6
Another very comfortable home victory for the under-16s as they crushed a Dungloe side which competed sufficiently well in the first half to still be in touch at the interval on a 1-4 to 0-13 scoreline. However, as the goals began to flow for the home side after the break the game quickly turned into a route as eleven different Bundoran players, from the full-back line out, got on the score-sheet. This victory ensures Bundoran of a place in the regional final where they play either Naomh Conall or Aodh Ruadh.

Bundoran: Ciaran Carty, Rory O’Reilly, Nathan Carlin-Rosanio, Darren Cassidy, David Stuttard (0-2), Niall McGonigle (0-2), Neal Chapman (0-3), Brandon Goodwin (1-2), Adam Coyne (1-2), Gary Clancy (0-2), Lee Creevy (0-2), Diarmuid Spratt (1-2), Stephen Reilly (1-2), Brian Cassidy (1-3) and Johnny Boyle (0-1).

Apr 21 2008
Under 12s
Kilcar 5-18 Bundoran 6-8
Bundoran’s young side put on a great performance against a very strong Kilcar side and were right in this game up until the last ten minutes. They got off to a great start with a Jane Carty goal followed by a point from Cian McEniff before Kilcar knocked over a series of excellent points to level matters. Carty hit the net again but Kilcar responded with two wonderful points to reduce the margin to the minimum at 0-6 to 2-1 when disaster struck for Bundoran about 20 minutes in. The home side hit two goals in less than ten seconds, the first a beautifully worked effort by Conor Doherty following a pass from Rachel McHugh. Goalie Max Muller had just picked the ball out of the net and kicked it out when it was returned straight back in before he had returned to his goal-line. Kilcar followed up with a brace of points to lead by 2-8 to 2-1 but Bundoran then hit a purple patch with Kelvin Mulhern hitting the post before Jamie Brennan pointed and then goaled. McEniff hit a point to narrow the gap further and the visitors nearly took the lead when the same player hit the underside of the crossbar but the home side finished out the half with a point to take a 2-9 to 3-3 lead into the interval.

Bundoran quickly hit the first point of the second half and then a Cian McEniff goal gave them the lead. Points from Brennan and Niall Carr extended the lead out to three points but this was as good as it got for the visitors. A superb Stephen McBrearty goal restored parity and this was soon followed by a couple of points and a fourth goal to leave it 4-11 to 4-6 and Kilcar began to take control hitting a further three points before Bundoran finally raised a white flag. The visitors never said die, however, and Niall Carr narrowed the gap back to three points with the Seasider’s fifth goal of the contest. Kilcar stepped up a gear and took control again with Doherty and McBrearty pointing and then a fifth goal for Kilcar seemed like the icing on the cake with just five minutes left. Bundoran had two penalty appeals turned down, getting 14m frees instead. The first of these came to nothing being parried just short of the line but Jamie Brennan drilled the second low into the corner of the net. There was still too much left for Bundoran to do and it was Kilcar that responded with the final point of the game to end up deserving winners.

Bundoran: Max Muller, Brendan Oates, Aidan Mitchell, Daire O’Reilly, Niall Cullen, Conor Dawson, Shane Carr, Stephen Cassidy, David Hastings, Jamie Brennan (2-3), Niall Carr (1-1), Cian McEniff (1-3), Jane Carty (2-1), Kelvin Mulhern. Subs used: Brian McHenry for Daire O’Reilly, Marek Kurms for Kelvin Mulhern, Calvin McCormac for Max Muller, Caoimhín Drummond for Cian McEniff and Roderick McMorrow for Niall Carr.

Apr 16 2008
Minors
Naomh Naille 2-8 Bundoran 3-9
Playing with the benefit of a diagonal breeze, first blood went to the home side but Bundoran edged the exchanges over the next ten minutes and were 0-5 to 0-2 ahead coming up to the quarter hour mark when Mark O’Donnell met a high hanging ball into the square to fist the ball to the net and level the scores. Brendan Breen then hit his second score of the evening to give Nauls a lead that lasted all of a minute. A quickly taken Michael McEniff free was goaled but ref John McGlanaghey insisted it be re-take with the same result, however, though more fortuituously this time as it was very “saveable” and it stayed at 1-3 to 1-5 up to the half-time break.

Any thoughts Bundoran had that their wind advantage would see them coast through the second half were quickly blown away within minutes of the re-start. Breen knocked over a point to narrow the gap to the minimum, before a mix-up in the visitor’s defence left Brian Mulhern with a simple tap-in goal to give Nauls the lead. A short free give Breen his third point on the trot to leave Nauls leading by 2-5 to 1-5. McEniff pointed a free for Bundoran then a wonderfully-taken goal by Matthew McCabe put the visitors back in front. McEniff stretched the lead and Johnny Carr scored an excellent solo-effort to narrow the gap again. Bundoran were looking the more dangerous with Shane Moohan winning every ball pumped forward and his spade work soon paid off when he sent Stephen Reilly through to blast home Bundoran’s third goal. Ashley Mulhern having swapped his goal-keeper at half-time to play centre-half forward hit a peach of a point to give Bundoran a comfortable 3-8 to 2-6 lead as the game entered the final ten minutes. Nauls had character, however. A great save by Ciaran Carty broke to a Bundoran defender who was judged to have touched the ball on the ground. Mulhern returned to goals to save the penalty but Breen was quickest off te mark to tap in the rebound and once again it was game on and when Breen pointed a free to leave the minimum between the sides it was shaping up for a tight finale. Mulhern, now returned to the forward line hit a point with the outside of his foot and another Breen free put the game back the melting pot.

The next Nauls attack was broken up by Neal Chapman and his pass set McEniff off on a run that ended with him firing over from long range. As the game headed into injury time Mulhern caught a high ball on the edge of the square, quickly turned and hammered the ball home. Nauls valiantly launched themselves forward again but they were out of time. Best for the Bundoran were Nathan Carlin-Rosanio, Neal Chapman, Ryan Walsh, Shane Moohan and Stephen Ryan, while for the home side, Brendan Breen, Johnny Carr, Fiacre McGinley, Stewart Johnson and Michael Quinn were the stars.

Scorers:
Bundoran: Michael McEniff (1-5, 3F), Stephen Reilly (1-2, 1F), Ashley Mulhern (1-1), Matthew McCabe (1-0), Shane Moohan (0-1).
Naomh Naille: Brendan Breen (1-6, 3F), Mark O’Donnell (1-0), Brian Mulhern (1-0), Johnny Carr (0-1), Mark O’Boyle (0-1).

Bundoran: Ashley Mulhern, Ryan Walsh, Nathan Carlin-Rosanio, Stephen Ryan, Neal Chapman, Niall Gillespie, Gavin Croghan, Peter McGonigle, Rhys Goodwin, Michael McEniff, Matthew McCabe, Richard Morris, Stephen Reilly, Shane Moohan, Terry Munday. Sub used Ciaran Carty.

Apr 14 2008
Under 12s
Naomh Naille 2-6 Bundoran 5-4
Naomh Naille’s Sean Burke had the ball in the Bundoran net within 30 seconds of the start of this game and the home side had the post and send two balls wide before the Seasiders mounted their first offensive, an attack which saw Jamie Brennan’s scuffed shot enter the net for the equaliser. Brennan then hit a lovely point and a second goal and suddenly the defeat which looked inevitable after Naul’s power-opening seemed like a bad dream. However, the much stronger and bigger home side regained their equilibrium and outscored Bundoran over the rest of the half to leave it 2-3 to 1-4 at the break. Bundoran’s Brennan, who had accounted for all of their scores hit his third goal early in the second half and then another point to leave the visitors ahead by 3-4 to 1-4, but again Nauls asserted themselves and Bundoran goalie Max Muller twice deflected goal-bound shots over the bar. In a breakaway attack, however, Bundoran’s first half goal-keeper, now playing wing-half forward cracked a beautiful shot to the net to put daylight between the teams again. Nauls committed themselves fully to the attack and centre half-back Manus Darby finished a flowing move to the net to leave it 2-6 to 4-4. Bundoran had the last say, however, when Cian McEniff’s block fell to the feet of Carr who finished to the net for his second goal.

Naomh Naille: Patrick Rose, Patrick Doherty, Liam McHugh, Luke Boyle, Brian Griffin, Brendan McCole, Manus Darby (1-0), Jamie Murray (0-1), Joe McIntyre (0-2), Martin Breslin, Leah Burke, Patrick Roarty, Daniel Brennan, Sean Burke (1-3), Mark Boyle. Subs used: Gary Quigley, Christopher McGlynn and Sean Griffen.

Bundoran: Niall Carr (2-0), Paul Murphy, Aidan Mitchell, Brendan Oates, Niall Cullen, Shane Carr, Conor Dawson, Rory Malaniff, Stephen Cassidy, David Hastings, Jamie Brennan (3-4), Cian McEniff, Kelvin Mulhern, Jane Carty, Ryan McElhinney. Subs used: Brian McHenry, Timmy Govorov, Dylan Stuttard and Daire O’Reilly.

April 14 2008
Under 16s
Killybegs 0-6 Bundoran 3-13
Fintra has always been a tough venue for Bundoran teams at all levels and at the interval this game looked like following this tradition. A Killybegs team that had only two points to their credit in this league were within three points of an unbeaten Bundoran side who lost one of their midfielders, Adam Coyne, to injury after 15 minutes. However, when their second midfielder Brandon Goodwin had to leave the field with a dead leg just after the break the Bundoran lads rose to the occasion and sub Brian McManus can be particularly happy at bagging two of the three goals that sealed this win.

Bundoran: Ciaran Carty, Rory O’Reilly, Nathan Carlin-Rosanio, Sean McGlone, Niall McGonigle, David Stuttard (0-2), Neal Chapman (0-6), Brandon Goodwin (0-1), Adam Coyne (0-1), Lee Creevy (0-1), Johnny Boyle (0-1), Gary Clancy (0-1), Diarmuid Spratt (1-0), Stephen O’Reilly, Brian Cassidy. Subs used: Brian McManus (2-0), Sean Maguire

April 12 2008
Under 14s
The Under-14 Feile preliminary blitz was hosted in Gaelic Park on a bright sunny Saturday with visiting teams from Four Masters and Aodh Ruadh. The Bundoran boys opened with a good 0-9 to 2-1 win against Four Masters with the Donegal boys also losing to Aodh Ruadh to set up a final “of sorts” in the last round robin game. Unfortunately for the Seasiders the Ballyshannon boys proved much stronger winning the game comfortably and they now progress to the Regional final blitz against Kilcar and Ardara.

April 7 2008
Under 16s
Bundoran 4-17 Ardara 1-4
Bundoran romped home in a fairly meaningless game against an uncharacteristically weak Ardara team. This victory puts Bundoran in pole position in the Donegal Adventure Centre league table following Naomh Conall’s loss to our near and dear neighbours Aodh Ruadh in Fr Tierney Park. Bundoran now have two ties left, away to Killybegs next Monday and home to Dungloe on April 21st.

Apr 4 2008
Under 12s
Naomh Brid 3-8 Bundoran 4-6
This had to be the most exciting of the games Bundoran played this season in any grade. Jamie Brennan started where he left off against Naomh Columba hitting two rockets, against a moderate breeze, over the bar within the first two minutes and when Stephen Cassidy added a third it looked like the Seasiders would dominate this match. Naomh Bríd hit back with a well taken free from Craig McGroary and the same player missed another before Jamie Brennan crashed the ball home with a low cross-field shot to make it 1-3 to 0-1. McGrory converted another free but Brennan and Cian McEniff added points for Bundoran to extend their lead further. The Ballintra/Laghey boys gave themselves a glimmer of hope when their big full forward Killian Byrne hit the net. Gerard Martin converted yet another free, to close the gap to two points but coming up to half-time Brennan broke through for another goal with Martin rounding off the scoring for the first period to leave it 2-5 to 1-4 at the interval.

Naomh Bríd took control around the middle right from the start of the second half and began picking away at the Bundoran lead. While three of their next four points came from frees they were reward for the home side’s dominance and coming up to the three quarter mark the game was level pegging at 2-5 to 1-8. The home side then hit the front for the first time in the game when Craig McGrory eluded the Bundoran cover to crash the ball home and leave it 2-5 Bundoran, 2-8 Naomh Bríd.. Bundoran, still scoreless in the second period finally made the breakthrough, compliments of their star player Brennan who found space to advance on goal and drill the ball home and it was level again. Within minutes Brennan struck for his second goal and the game had turned on its head again. It was nearly done and dusted two minutes later but Conor Cassidy in the Naomh Bríd goal made a fabulous one-handed and Cian McEniff smashed the rebound off the underside of the crossbar. With time running out Naomh Bríd swiftly transferred the ball upfield and when Bundoran keeper Niall Carr palmed away a goalbound effort from Eoghan Quinn an over-anxious Bundoran defender lifted the ball off the ground. Killian Byrne smashed home the resultant penalty to leave the scores level again. The drama still had a few more twists. McEniff redeemed his early miss by lobbing the ball over the bar from a tight angle and Bundoran scrambled a few desparate clearances as Naomh Bríd through the kitchen sink at them for a final vital score but the Seasiders survived to win the tightest of matches and one that, in fairness, did not deserve to have a losing side.

Naomh Bríd: Conor Cassidy, Peter Gorman, Sean Duffy, Shane Timoney, Conor O Cassidy, Shane Ward, Owen McGarrigle, Craig McGrory (1-3), Kieran Boyle (0-1), Gerard Martin (0-4), Gerard Gallagher, Killian Byrne (2-0), Eoghan Quinn.

Bundoran: Niall Carr, Paul Murphy, Aidan Mitchell, Niall Cullen, Shane Carr, Conor Dawson, Rory Malaniff, Stephen Cassidy (0-1), David Hastings, Jamie Brennan (4-3), Brendan Oates, Cian McEniff (0-2), Jane Carty. Subs used: Ryan McElhinney and Daire O’Reilly.

Apr 2 2008
Minors
Bundoran 3-15 Aodh Ruadh 0-7
Bundoran led this game from start to finish and never really looked in any sort of trouble from an Aodh Ruadh side that started without two of its more formidable players – Damien Cleary and Paul Hughes – so the ease with which the Sea-siders romped through this game will mean little when the face the same opposition in the Championship later this summer. Gavin Croghan opened the scoring for Bundoran and Shane Moohan and Brandon Goodwin added further points before David Dolan’s right boot got Aodh Ruadh off the mark. Shane Moohan quickly added another point while Peter McGonigle swung over a nice left-footed point before David Dolan showed he too had a left side with Aodh Ruadh’s second point. A Michael McEniff free made it 6-2, Neal Chapman made it seven for Bundoran and then a mini-Aodh Ruadh revival – a High McNeill point and a Dolan free put three between the sides again at which stage Bundoran talisman Johnny Ward limped off with an injury that had restricted him from the outset. However, Bundoran reacted well and a sweeping move saw McEniff break free for a well-taken goal and Stephen Reilly added another point to leave it 1-8 to 0-4 at the break.

McEniff opened the scoring for Bundoran in the second half with a well taken point and Goodwin quickly followed with another one before Aodh Ruadh’s wing half back Jason McMenamin got the first of his two second-half points. Within the next five minutes, however, any hope for Aodh Ruadh evaporated as Bundoran entered another gear and hit 2-2 without reply. McEniff and Rhys Goodwin hitting the Bundoran goals. Dolan converted an Aodh Ruadh free and then the game petered out with both teams making a number of substitutions. While they did not feature among the scorers Ryan Walsh and captain Niall Gillespie also played very solid games for the home side, while Brian Patton shone for the visitors.

Bundoran: Ashley Mulhern, Ryan Walsh, Nathan Carlin-Rosanio, Peadar O’Keefe, Neal Chapman (0-1), Peter McGonigle (0-2), Stephen Ryan, Niall Gillespie, Brandon Goodwin (0-3), Jonathan Ward, Michael McEniff (2-3), Gavin Croghan (0-2), Shane Moohan (0-3), Rhys Goodwin (0-1), Stephen Reilly (0-1). Subs used: Matthew McCabe, Jamie Spratt, Richie Morris, Kevin Cassidy and Rory O’Reilly.

Aodh Ruadh: Peter Boyle, Maurice Kane, Brian Patton, Conor Thomas, Barry Leonard, Brian McGrath, Jason McMenamin (0-2), David Dolan (0-4), Francis McShea, Hugh McNeill (0-1), Chris Goan, Declan Anderson, Shane Carty, JJ Cassidy. Subs used: Damien Cleary, Shane McLoone, Ronan Drummond, Liam Devaney.

Ref: Gabriel O’Donnell

Mar 31 2008
Under 16s
Naomh Conall 1-6 Bundoran 1-6
Those who braved the elements at Davy Brennan Memorial Park in Glenties on Monday night were treated to an entertaining contest with nothing to separate the sides when the dust finally settled. Playing with a stiff breeze James Gallagher got the home side off to a perfect start when he found the range after some good work from Seamus Ellis and hit a second from a free after being pulled back by Brandon Goodwin. O’Malley added a third for Glenties and mid-way through the second half Donogh O’Callaghan pulled on a breaking ball to send the ball to the net to give Naomh Conall a 1-3 to 0-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Aided by the strong breeze, John O’Malley added a further two points and it looked like they would have a nice half-time cushion facing into the elements in the second half but this was to be their last score until the dying seconds of the game because Bundoran were not conceded the half as easily as the first 20 minutes suggested.

Adam Coyne chipped over from side on the right and just before the interval Conor Ferguson twice denied Bundoran goals before failing to clear his lines and allowing Brian Cassidy in to whack the ball to the net and leaving Bundoran in psychological ascendancy going into the interval. Bundoran might have fancied their chances with the stiff second half breeze and an early point from Goodwin cut the lead to three. However, for the next ten minutes Naomh Conall kept Bundoran scoreless including another fine save by Ferguson to deny Brian Cassidy. A fine solo effort down the right by Cassidy got Bundoran back on track. Goodwin and Clancy then brought the teams level before Stephen Reilly edged Bundoran in front for the first time. In the final minute, however, a last ditch Naomh Conall attack was halted by a silly Bundoran foul and John O’Malley showed a cool head to slot over the equaliser into the breeze from 25m. Both teams deserve great credit as conditions didn’t make it easy and a share of the spoils was a fair result.

Naomh Conall: Conor Ferguson, Kieran Brennan, Jason Campbell, James Molloy, Phillip Gallagher, Donal Corcoran, Hughie Gallagher, James Gallagher, Andrew Scott, Seamus Ellis, John O’Malley, Gerard Molloy, Mark Gallagher, Donogh O’Callaghan, Ronan McDevitt.

Bundoran: Ciaran Carty, Rory O’Reilly, Nathan Carlin-Rosanio, Sean McGlone, Niall McGonigle, David Stuttard, Neal Chapman, Brandon Goodwin, Adam Coyne, Lee Creevy, Brian Cassidy, Gary Clancy, Diarmuid Spratt, Stephen O’Reilly, Brian McManus. Subs used: Johnny Boyle..

Ref : Michael Gallagher

Mar 26 2008
Under 12s
Naomh Conall Conceded Bundoran Walk-over

Mar 24 2008
Under 16s
Bundoran 3-11 Aodh Ruadh 2-6
Bundoran won out in this encounter fairly comfortably after building up a big first half lead. The home side had free rein in front of the Aodh Ruadh goalposts and seemed unstoppable going in at half time 3-5 to Aodh Ruadh’s solitary point. Bundoran’s midfield did an excellent job in supplying quality ball to their forwards who were only to happy to take any opportunity to score . A goal in the 4th minute and a further five points in the first ten minutes without reply kept Aodh Ruadh on the backfoot. Bundoran boys n all positions seemed to be running faster and jumping higher for every ball. This continued through the half where Bundoran continued to impress with another two goals from Stephen O’Reilly. Aodh Rua worked hard at trying to quell the Bundoran attacks but despite their efforts they had little to show for it at half time . One missed goal chance and a missed free along with the one solitary point was really all they had to show for their efforts at that stage.

In the second half it looked like it was going to be more of the same with Aodh Rua having to clear a goal chance off the line practically from the throw – in. A point from Lee Creevy put Bundoran further ahead but this seemed to shake Aodh Ruadh from their torpor. From that point there was much greater urgency to their play and had they displayed the same vigour in the first period they would have won this game. They started to win a lot of abll around the middle and were tackling harder all over the pitch. By the three-quarter mark they had scored 2-3 without reply - a fair return for their diligence despite the task they were facing at half-time. Bundoran did not find the same consistency after that but after trading several points and both teams having close goal scoring chances Bundoran saw out the game with relative ease.
Bundoran will be happy that all the hard work in the first half paid off.

Bundoran: Ciaran Carty, Sean Mc Glone, Nathan Carlin-Rosanio, Rory O Reilly, Niall McGonigle, David Stuttard, Johnny Boyle, Brandon Goodwin (0-3), Adam Coyne (0-1), Neil Chapman (0-1), Lee Creevy (0-1), Gary Clancy (0-1), Brian Mc Manus, Stephen O Reilly (3-1) and Diarmuid Spratt (0-3). Subs used: Donal O’Keefe and Sean Maguire
Aodh Ruadh: D McInerney, S Clarke, C Keon, P Meehan, C Patton, Ronan Drummond, Ruairi Drummond, G Kelly, L Toland, Sylvester Maguire (0-1), Ronan McGurran (0-2), M Gallagher, John Matthews, Peter Boyle (2-2), Niall Murray (0-1). Subs: Gary Carty, T Patton, R. Hoey, A Mc Cann, N Walsh, N Thomas

Mar 23 2008
Seniors
Moville 0-7 Bundoran 1-13
Bundoran seniors got their season off to the ideal start with an excellent win in inhospitable conditions in Moville on Easter Sunday. A succession of wasted chances in the first few minutes and poor handling by both teams betrayed that this was the opening game of the season and it was typical of this fare that the opening scores were from the boots of free-takers. Indeed it was the fifteenth minute before Adam Dunmore got the first score from play to level matters at 2 points apiece. Shortly, thereafter a sky-scraping free from Tommy Hourihan dropped dangerously under the crossbar and the fumbles of the keeper saw the ball break loose for Declan Rafferty to stab home. The next Hourihan free found the target and Bundoran were four in front 1-3 to 0-2. Moville dominated the next ten minutes hitting three unanswered points before a strong run by Christy Keaney preceeded by an excellent build-up involving Dunmore and Shane Moohan saw the ball sail over the bar to leave the score 1-4 to 0-5 as the teams headed for the dressing rooms at half-time.

Bundoran came out in the second half full of vim. Fergal McKiernan lobbed over a lovely point from a tight angle, Christy Keaney stroked over a free-kick and then hit two from play and within seven minutes of the break Bundoran had established a five point 1-7 to0-5 lead. The