Our U15 side welcomed Na Rossa to Pairc Naomh Ultan this evening, Wednesday, April 20th. It was a great evening for football and we were treated to a thriller from the get go!

Na Rossa came out of the blocks the quickest, getting the games' opening two points followed by a goal to open up a five point lead. Bobby McGuinness got the first score for Naomh Ultan, which was followed by a point from Dylan McHugh. The pair on the younger end of the team but leading by example. Na Rossa managed to cancel out that response with two more points, however up stepped Bobby's older brother Shaun McGuinness to hit the back of the Na Rossa net to tighten the affair.

It did seem like what ever Naomh Ultan threw at them in the opening half, Na Rossa threw it right back and that proved to be the case after the McGuinness goal. Na Rossa pointed four without reply to stretch it to 6 points and open up their biggest lead yet. Dylan McHugh was showing well inside and him and his team were awarded by his efforts when he netted his side's second goal of the evening. Yet again though, Na Rossa answered that right back with two more points.

Shaun McGuinness was definitely in form in front of the goal, after a long ball in he won a 50/50 ball and rounded the keeper to slot home, getting his second goal of the game. Caolan Reynolds then backed up that score, he took off on solo run down the wing and proceeded to blast the ball into the top of the net, all just as the half time whistle was about to be blown.

Half Time Score: Naomh Ultan 4-2 (14) Na Rossa 2-10 (16)

The game was back to two scores and the Naomh Ultan tails were up after a revival late on in the opening half. That showed when on 35 minutes Dylan McHugh got his second goal and impressively his side's fifth to put Naomh Ultan in the lead for the first time. Caolan Reynolds was then at it again, backing up a goal just scored with another goal to make it 6-2 to 2-10. Naomh Ultan's lead was short lived as Na Rossa kicked 4 fine points to level this one, Reynolds responded with his side's first point since the opening 10 minutes. The excitement and drama in this game wasn't finished yet and Na Rossa tipped the scales in their favour big time, getting a point and a goal to make it 3-15 (24) to 6-3 (21).

The McGuinness brothers weren't laying down, up stepped Bobby and then Shaun to point a score each and swing it back in their team's favour. Na Rossa like many times before responded with a point and it seemed like it may be enough. From that kickout to restart play Corey Boyle found Owen Cunningham who won a mark around the middle. He quickly looked up, kicked it in the direction of Caolan Reynolds who found himself in the inside forward line. Reynolds took off, beat his man and slotted it past the Na Rossa keeper. That completed his hat trick and took his side a point ahead in this spectacle!

Na Rossa did have a chance at the death to win the game outright, a goal bound shout was tipped onto the crossbar by keeper, Corey Boyle. That set the bar for Naomh Ultan and they remained resilient as their opposition hunted for the scores to either level it or win it. They managed to hold out and get their first win of the season and what a win it was!

Congratulations to the boys and well done to both sides for putting on a thriller for all in attendance. Special mention to Corey Boyle, who was back playing after a recent spell in hospital. Next up for this side is Realt Na Mara, next Wednesday, April 27th at 7pm in Gaelic Park, Bundoran.

Full Time Score: Naomh Ultan 7-5 (26) Na Rossa 3-16 (25)

Naomh Ultan Team & Scorers -

Corey Boyle

Marc Duddy

Dylan Cunnea

Oisin Boyle

Shaun McGuiness (2-1)

Owen Cunningham

Brian Carey

Dylan McHugh (2-1)

Bobby McGuiness (0-2)

Caolan Reynolds (3-1)

Chulaínn Gallagher

Donal Ellison