Moore strikes dramatic winner as St Eunan’s overcome Naomh Conaill in Donegal SFC final

BATTLE: Oran Winston of St Eunan's is tackled by Eunan Doherty of Naomh Conaill. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile.

St Eunan’s 1-16 Naomh Conaill 1-15

Ciaran Moore struck a dramatic winning point three seconds from the end as St Eunan’s won a dramatic Donegal SFC final against Naomh Conaill.

The victory completed a first-ever senior treble in the county, with the footballers joining the club’s hurlers and LGFA team in winning their championships.

Those dreams looked to have been coming to an end when Naomh Conaill, the defending champions, moved into a two-point lead in the 61st minute when substitute Charles McGuinness scored.

However, Niall O’Donnell, who has been hopping over and back from Chicago in recent weeks, kicked a beautiful two-pointer in the third of the signalled four minutes to level the match.

Then, with seconds left, Naomh Conaill had a chance to win it, only for his effort at goal from Odhran Doherty to fall short into Shaun Patton’s arms.

The Donegal netminder quickly moved the ball forward and O’Donnell found Moore, who raced into space - as he had done time after time in the second half - to slot over what proved to be the match-winner.

The Letterkenny side had settled quickest, with three early points as a reward for their near-monopoly on possession early on.

Oran Winston, Moore, and Eoin Geehin scored, but Naomh Conaill soon erased the lead with a John O’Malley free and a two-pointer from Ciaran Thompson. Patton made a sharp stop from Odhran Doherty.

Down the years, the two clubs have dominated the Donegal scene, with Naomh Conaill winning seven titles from their maiden triumph in 2005. In that same timeframe, St Eunan’s matched that number with their most recent success in 2024.

By the 22nd minute, St Eunan’s were 0-7 to 0-4 in front, with Eoin Dowling hitting a two and Conor O’Donnell Jnr posting a couple of frees.

The trend of the first half, though, would continue, with St Eunan’s manufacturing the cushion for the break of 0-9 to 0-7.

Shane O’Donnell, who was having an intense battle with Finnbarr Roarty, who was signing off before joining AFL side Collingwood, got away to point on 28.

Then, Shane’s elder brother Niall, who was introduced early by St Eunan’s manager Kieran Donnelly, rounded off the first half scoring.

Dowling’s point opened the second-half scoring for St Eunan’s but it was Naomh Conaill who were soon in the ascendancy.

Ethan O’Donnell, just back from Perth for the final, brought the Naomh Conaill support to their feet when he drilled home a goal on 38 minutes, with Daithí Molloy persevering to keep the attack alive.

St Eunan’s had the chance to pick up a turnover but it was Naomh Conaill who soon led, 1-12 to 1-10, when Shea Malone struck a two-pointer.

If the first half was shadow-boxing, both teams were now delivering significant blows. Niall O’Donnell got in for St Eunan’s and his shot at goal was turned onto the post by Stephen McGrath, the Naomh Conaill goalkeeper.

Moore was becoming a more prominent feature in the match, running from deep and although he and Winston kept St Eunan’s ticking, an incredible John O’Malley two-pointer from the sideline in the 69th minute edged Naomh Conaill ahead. Malone had down likewise moments beforehand.

McGuinness would put the lead out for fout but it wasn’t to be for Naomh Conaill, as St Eunan’s maintained a steady head and came up with the vital scores, to seal a record 17th championship.

Scorers for St Eunan’s: C Moore (0-4), N O’Donnell and E Dowling (0-3, 1tp each), J Kelly (1-0), O Winston and C O’Donnell Jnr (2f) (0-2 each), E McGeehin and S O’Donnell (0-1 each).

Scorers for Naomh Conaill: C Thompson and S Malone (0-4, 2tp each), J O’Malley (0-3, 1tp), E O’Donnell (1-0), M Campbell, E Doherty, C McGuinness and B McDyer (0-1 each).

St Eunan’s: S Patton; N Barrett, C Ward, J Hay; K Tobin, C O'Donnell Snr, O Winston; D Doogan, E Dowling; C Moore, S O'Donnell, L McGuinness; E McGeehin, J Kelly, C O'Donnell Jnr.

Subs: N O’Donnell for Doogan (26); B MacIntyre for Kelly (44); P Boyle for C O’Donnell Jnr (50).

Naomh Conaill: S McGrath; U Doherty, S Roarty, K McGettigan; D Mollory, F Roarty, M Campbell; J Mac Ceallabhuí, C Thompson; B McDyer, O Doherty, E Doherty; J O'Malley, E O’Donnell, S Malone.

Subs: AJ Gallagher for S Roarty (19, blood sub); AJ Gallagher for S Roarty (35); C McGuinness for Mac Ceallabhuí (47); K McGill for McDyer (54).

Referee: Cathal Boland (Ardara).