Naomh Colmcille save their intermediate status with impressive win

Naomh Colmcille preserved their stay in the Intermediate Championship as they soared to an impressive win over Buncrana in Glenswilly.

Naomh Colmcille 3-14 Buncrana 1-8

The win means that Ryan McKinley’s Naomh Colmcille will play intermediate football again in 2019 while Buncrana must now face Downings in a relegation play-off final.

Naomh Colmclle built up a nine-point lead, 3-07 to 1-04  at the break to put themselves firmly in the driving seat. 

Willie Gillespie was in prolific form scoring two goals and four points in the opening quarter of the game while his fellow full forward Ryan McErlean was back to his best with a number of important scores. 

The Naomh Colmcille defence were solid today with Alex Deveney making a number of important tackles to break down the Buncrana attack on a number of occasions. 

Buncrana came back with a goal of their own and a number of points to keep themselves in the game but it was all in vain as John Fullerton – who had just returned to the field after needing a blood sub – popped up with a goal after great work by Paul Friel who won the ball well in the air and surged clear.

More Naomh Colmcille scores followed by Daniel Clarke, Joe Donaghy and Oran Hilley before the half time whistle was blown. 

The second half began with an early point from the Buncrana men but again Naomh Colmcille responded with points from Clarke, Hilley and McErlean. 

PJ McBrearty scored a great point after a great run to kill of the game and John Roulstone made a number of good stops towards end the game.