Naomh Conaill edge past Buncrana to kick off league campaign in style
Defending champions hold off late fightback as Molloy and Brown seal opening-day victory
Naomh Conaill’s youthful squad began their 2025 Division 1 league campaign on a positive note, securing a hard-fought two-point victory away to newly promoted Buncrana.
The defending league champions took control early on and went into the half-time break with a four-point cushion, thanks in part to a well-taken goal from Danny Brown.
Buncrana, however, refused to go down without a fight. Goals from John Campbell and Daire McColgan reignited their hopes, reducing the deficit to just two points as the match entered its closing stages.
Yet, when it mattered most, Naomh Conaill’s experience shone through. 2012 All-Ireland winner Dermot Molloy played a key role, alongside Brown, in notching the decisive points that ensured the visitors claimed a valuable opening-day win.
Buncrana: Adam Harrigan; Cathal McNutt, Sean Doherty, Elliot Friel; Andrew Davidson, JP McKenna, Mick Gallagher; Peter McLaughlin, Darragh Corry; John Campbell, Michael Bernard McLaughlin, Oisin O'Flaherty; Billy Duffy, Ryan Bradley, Shane McClean. Subs: William McLaughlin, Daire McColgan.
Naomh Conaill: Jordan O'Donnell; Connor Roarty, Logan Quinn, Thomas McDevitt; Jack McGlynn, Kealan McGill, Shane McDevitt; Neil Francis Boyle, Mark Campbell; Daniel Gildea, Leo McLoone, Danny Brown; Tiernan Ward, Dermot Molloy, John O'Malley. Sub: Eoin Waide