Naomh Colmcille needed a late goal by Ciaran Devine to be sure of a derby win at Naomh Padraig, Lifford this evening as Division 4 of the All-County League swung into action.
Naomh Padraig, Lifford 1-9 Naomh Colmcille 2-11
Devine’s goal helped to give Naomh Colmcille a bit of breathing space, just when there was a sense that Naomh Padraig might squeeze them into surrendering what had been a handsome lead.
Seven minutes from the end, a high ball into the area broke down. Conor Grant could have netted, but hit shot cannoned off goalkeeper Shaun McBrearty, but the waiting Devine lashed to the net.
Naomh Padraig had grown in confidence in the second half, having been eight down at the break with John Fullerton (pictured) having netted in the 12th minute for the Newtown residents.
Naomh Colmcille endured a difficult 2016 when they suffered relegation in both the League and the Championship, but Ryan McKinley’s men have started 2017 on a winning note.
It was typically hard-fought and fiercly-contested derby fare and the mercury rose during those moments late in the second half when the participants went to the trenches.
They made life difficult for themselves here at times and Naomh Padraig – who were down a handful of regulars – will surely take confidence from the second half-an-hour.
Naomh Colmcille looked set for a comfortable afternoon as they assumed charge of the game midway through the first half.
Less than a minute after being sent into the action, Fullerton netted for the visitors in the 12th minute. Lifford ‘keeper McBrearty let a ball in slip through his grasp and the in-rushing Fullerton, who had only come on for Conor Matthewson, could hardly believe his luck as he steered home.
From there, Naomh Colmcille were in control until half-time.
Scores were hard to come by early on with Matthew Crossan and Jack Mahon traded points in the opening moments before a Crossan free put Naomh Colmcille a lead they’d hold until the finish.
When Fullerton goaled, there was already an ominous feeling about the hosts.
Willie Gillespie curled over a free and Donegal Under-21 panellist Daniel Clarke landed a gorgeous point from the left-hand side.
Naomh Colmcille were eight in front (1-7 to 0-2) at the break with Ciaran Devine drilling over, Gillespie arching over a difficult free and Lee Toland thumping over from long-range with a point that was debated by the umpires.
Naomh Padraig, though, were a renewed side after the break and, with ten minutes left they were back to within a point.
Kevin McBrearty’s delicious free taking was a highlight of the second half.
The Naomh Padraig corner-forward scored four points from placed balls in part two with one boomed over from beyond the ’45.
Naomh Padraig hit 1-4 in the opening 21 minutes of the second half with Naomh Colmcille scrambling by the time Michael Lynch converted a cool 51st minute free.
Lynch, another Donegal Under-21 panelist, came on in the 40th minute and his introduction really helped steady the Naomh Colmcille ship.
Lynch’s score came at a time when Naomh Padraig were right back on their shoulders again.
McBrearty (2), McGee and Paul Lynch – whose long-range attempt bounced over via an awkward deflection off Josh Pond, the Naomh Colmcille ‘keeper.
The Naomh Padraig goal arrived four minutes after the re-start as McGee drilled home after taking a pass from Lorny Crossan. McGee’s finish, high into the net, gave Pond no chance.
Lynch had a good influence when he came in and with Crossan also on target with a couple of frees, Naomh Colmcille did enough down the home straight.
Naomh Padraig, Lifford: Shaun McBrearty; Keenan Gallagher, John Lafferty, Conor Mulhern; Cianan Doherty, Johnny Mahon, Jack Quinn; Paul Lynch (0-1), Jordan Nelson; Kevin Lynch (0-2), Lorny Crossan, Jack Mahon (0-1); Kevin McBrearty (0-4, 4f), Patrick McGee (1-1, 1f), Shane Brennan. Sub: Steve Devine for Brennan (30).
Naomh Colmcille: Josh Pond; Eddie Gillespie, Paul Friel, Ricky Hegarty; Oran Hilley, Gerard Curran, Alex Devenney; William Lynch, Daniel Clarke (0-1); Lee Toland (0-1), Conor Matthewson, Willie Gillespie (0-2, 2f); Ciaran Devine (1-1), Joe Donaghy, Matthew Crossan (0-4, 3f). Subs: John Fullerton (1-0) for Matthewson (12), Michael Lynch (0-2, 2f) for W.Lynch (40), Conor Grant for Donaghy (40), Stephen Gallagher for Hilley (40), Kevin Gallagher for Toland (56).
Referee: Tony Gallagher (Red Hughs).
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