Naomh Pádraig blown away by Milford 31.07.09
Junior Football Championship - 1st round, 2nd leg

Naomh Pádraig...2-6 O. McColgan 2-0; A. Lynch 0-2 (2 frees); G. McColgan 0-2 (1 free); C. McColgan 0-1; B. Hegarty 0-1 (1 free) Milford...4-13 C. Bradley 4-3 (1-0 penalty, 0-1 frees); D. Curley 0-4 (3 frees); C. Barrett 0-4; C. Friel 0-1; P. Sweeney 0-1 by Damian Dowds, Inishowen Independent, at Ture FOUR GOALS from sharp-shooting corner forward Chris Bradley propelled Milford into the semi-final of the Junior Championship as Naomh Pádraig posted a disappointing performance. In truth, the game was over at half time as Milford led by 2-8 to 0-2 at the break. Another goal within two minutes of the restart sealed the win, and although Naomh Pádraig improved in the second period, they played second fiddle for long periods. With a gale blowing across the pitch and a heavy shower just as the game got under way, both teams struggled to come to terms with conditions. Milford had the ball in the net early on, but the effort was ruled out for an infringement on the keeper. But they got their first goal in the sixth minute when Chris Bradley struck a penalty kick into the bottom right corner. Points from Paul Sweeney and Davy Curley had them five clear before Aidan Lynch sent over a booming free kick from 45m out for the home side.

Bradley had added a point before getting his second goal. A mistake in defence allowed Mark Flood in on goal and with keeper JP McColgan coming off his line and caught in two minds, Flood crossed the ball low into the square to give Bradley an easy tap in to make it 2-3 to 0-1 with barely 17 minutes on the clock. Corner back Cormac Friel added a point from the left before David Curley got his second point of the day from a 25th minute free. Aidan Lynch responded with a point from a free, but late points from Bradley and two from Chippy Barrett had Milford 2-8 to 0-2 in front at the break. Muff did manage to get the opening score of

the second half, a close range Gerard McColgan free, but Milford got their third goal within two minutes of the restart. A high ball held up in the wind and fell kindly to Bradley who netted his third goal from close range. David Curley and Gerard McColgan exchanged points before Naomh Pádraig got a goal of their own. Good work down the right set Eunan Keaveney free and he floated a ball across the square for Oisin McColgan to palm to the net and when Muff followed up with a Colm McColgan point the scoreline read 3-9 to 1-5 to the visitors.

But that was as close as Naomh Pádraig would get. A 45th minute David Curley free kick struck the right hand post and the ball fell to the feet of that man Bradley who netted his fourth goal from close range. Points from Barrett and David Curley extended Milford’s lead to 13 points before Muff registered their second goal when Oisin McColgan picked up a low Aidan Lynch drive across the goalmouth and slammed to the net. The visitors responded with late points from Bradley and Barrett while Naomh Pádraig could only muster a Barry Hegarty free. Naomh Pádraig were disappointed with their level of performance, but Milford will be happy to win both legs of the tie and advance to the semi-finals without recourse to a play-off. Naomh Pádraig now must focus on promotion from Division 4 of the All County League.

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