IFC: Naomh Columba into quarter-finals thanks to win in Newtown

A pair of Naomh Columba goals within 90 seconds of each other late in the first half left contrasting emotions at the end of a terse Intermediate Championship tussle in Newtowncunningham. 

Naomh Colmcille 2-10 Naomh Columba 3-9

By Chris McNulty at Pairc Colmcille

Fionn Gallagher and Pauric Ward hoisted that pair of green flags for Glen and they were the key moments in a game that wasn’t done until referee Val Murray called for the ball. 

Naomh Colmcille gave as good as they got for long spells, but were left to rue a scoreless 16-minute spell in the second half as well as those two goals which, ultimately, proved the difference.

At a time when Naomh Colmcille were ahead, by 1-5 to 1-3, former Donegal player Michael Maguire surged through the hosts’ arteries from deep in his own half. Maguire powered on before off-loading to midfielder Gallagher, who tucked home.

Ward opened up a four-point gape with Naomh Columba’s next attack. From out on the right-hand side, Ward looked to have been going for a point – although the wing-back would later lay claim that he was aiming for the net – and his shot looped over Jason Quinn in the home goal.

It was a hair-pulling couple of moments for Naomh Colmcille boss Ryan McKinley. His side had shipped a ten-point beating at Naomh Ultan seven days previous and two quick concessions – both of them avoidable – were sucker punches.

Naomh Columba’s opening goal had arrived just three minutes in. Maguire, fed by Kevin McNern as he burst in, was taken down and Doherty assumed responsibility for the penalty. Doherty is ear-marked as one for the future, but in Glen he’s very much one for the present, too. And the youngster splendidly converted.

A delightful free from Willie Gillespie, clipped over from close to the left sideline, had Naomh Colmcille to within a point before the pendulum swung the hosts’ way as Gillespie hammered to the net after breaking free.

Momentarily, Philip Doherty thought he had struck a goal for the visitors. Doherty had been thwarted by Quinn and his rebound beat the ‘keeper before striking a post. A Naomh Colmcille defender broke away with the ball, but an umpire had the green flag in the air – a decision that was overruled by referee Murray. 

Daniel Clarke and William Lynch brought Naomh Colmcille to within two at the break and they turned the tables again early in the second half.

Ryan McErlean slammed over a point before they bagged their second goal from the re-start. Shane O’Gara’s kick-out went badly awry. John Fullerton could scarcely believe his luck as he was gift-wrapped possession. Fullerton’s shot was blocked by Kieran McBrearty, but Gillespie applied the finish.

Naomh Colmcille

However, the scores dried up for the 2017 Ulster Junior champions – who are badly missing the power, poise and precision of Michael Lynch at the moment – and Naomh Columba hit the game’s next five scores.

Paddy J McGinley’s team hit 12 wides over the hour and that enabled Naomh Colmcille to still have a chance, but Daniel Clarke’s free in added time served only to inch them a little closer as Glen booked a spot in the quarter-finals. 

Naomh Colmcille: Jason Quinn; Paul Friel, Alex Devenney, PJ McBrearty; Michael Friel (0-1), William Lynch (0-1), John Fullerton; Daniel Clarke (0-2, 1f), Ciaran Devine (0-1); Jason Fitzpatrick, Ryan McErlean (0-1), Oran Hilley (0-1); Eddie Gillespie, Willie Gillespie (2-3, 3f), Joe Donaghey. Subs: Hugh O’Donnell for Fitzpatrick (36), Matthew Crossan for E.Gillespie (45), Stephen Gallagher for Donaghey (45), Mark Friel for Michael Friel (58).

Naomh Columba: Shane O’Gara; Kieran McBrearty, Martin Cunningham, Barry Carr; Pauric Ward (1-1), Michael Maguire, Philip Doherty; Aaron Doherty (1-3, 1-0pen, 3f), Fionn Gallagher (1-1); Pauric Cunningham, Declan McGuire, Pauric O’Neill (0-1); Ryan Gillespie (0-3, 2f), Tadgh McGinley, Kevin McNern. Subs: Oisin McGinley for P.Cunningham (50), Pauric Cunningham for Gillespie (55).

Referee: Val Murray (Aodh Ruadh).