Second half goals deny Craigbane Ulster title at Celtic Park

Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin 3-7

Craigbane 1-12

Craigbane’s dreams of finishing the season with an Ulster title were ended with Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin hitting two second half goals.

It was inside duo Kevin Lynch and Caolan McColgan who hit the net to open a 3-5 to 0-9 lead after 45 minutes.

Kevin Moore’s side staged a comeback with a stoppage time goal from Jude Óg Moore but it was the last action as the Donegal side held on to take the title.

Jude McLaughlin opened the scoring against the wind but it was the only time Craigbane led.

Johnny Toye and Cormac McColgan landed points as the Muff side pushed ahead before the game’s first goal.

Toye’s free floated into the square and when it wasn’t dealt with, Drew McKinney flicked the ball to the net for a 1-2 to 0-1 lead after 14 minutes.

From then on Craigbane were chasing the game. Lee Moore (3) and Jude Óg Moore hit scores to lead just a point between the teams at the break.

Muff introduced Kevin Lynch at half time but it was Caolan McColgan who pounced on a defensive slip before sending a rocket to the top corner of the net.

Aaron Sharkey, Jude McLaughlin and Eoin Coll grabbed points as Craigbane stabilised but a 45-minute goal from Kevin Lynch left then playing catch-up again.

Lee Moore and James McLaughlin hit points before Jude Óg Moore’s late, late goal, but it was too little too late.

Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin scorers: Kevin Lynch 1-2, Caolan McColgan 1-1, Drew McKinney 1-0, Cormac McColgan 0-2; Kevin Doherty and Jonathan Toye 0-1f

Craigbane scorers: Jude McLaughlin 0-4 (3f), Lee Moore 0-4 (2f), Jude Óg Moore 1-1, Aaron Sharkey 0-1; James McLaughlin and Eoin Coll 0-1 each

Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin: Oran McCauley; Cormac Kelly, Caolan Harkin, Darragh McInytre; Joseph McCauley; Michael McCarron, Jonathan Toye, Jason McCallion; Eunan Mullan, Cormac McColgan; Oisin McIntyre, Kevin Doherty, Rory Hirrell; Drew McKinney, Caolan McColganSubs: Kevin Lynch for J McCauley (HT), Ronan Hoy for M McCarron (40), Dermot Keaveney for Doherty (53), Cathal McColgan for O McIntyre (61)

Craigbane: Ben O’Kane; James McLaughlin, Jacob McElhinney; Rory Moore; Conor McLaughlin, Oisin O’Donnell, Eoin Coll; Bliain Gormley, Brian Rainey, Jude Óg Moore; Aaron Sharkey, Liam Crossan, Fergal Mortimer; Lee Moore, Jude McLaughlinSubs: Niall Feeney for Crossan (HT), Cahir O’Kane for Sharkey (55), Pierce McCloskey for Rainey (55)

Referee: Mark Loughran (Tyrone)