Brilliant Naomh Columba edge Buncrana to land Division 2 minor title 

A stunning second-half performance from Naomh Columba minor ladies helped secure the Division 2 title after they edged out Buncrana by three points in Ballybofey. 

Naomh Columba 1-12 Buncrana 2-6

The Glen girls trailed for a large chunk of this decider but their determination not to buckle was rewarded as they came from six down at one stage to eventually strike level. And a powerful final 10 minutes deservingly propelled them over the line.

In a fine team effort, captain Niamh Ni Bhaoill’s eight-point haul was the highlight. 

In an entertaining first-half tussle, it was Buncrana who edged matters thanks to two goals from Nicole McDaid and Eimear Doherty with the Inishowen girls eventually departing with a three-point advantage. 

Buncrana minor ladies, who lost out to Naomh Columba

Tara Rose Mahon raced in straight from throw-in to fist over the game’s first score just seconds in. Ni Bhaoill followed that up for Naomh Columba with the first of four opening half points. 

Mahon then clipped her second with a well-struck free from the hands. Things got even better for Lauren Hegarty’s girls as McDaid neatly finished to the back of the net for the first of those pair of green flags. 

Ailbhe Ni Dhochartaigh responded for Glencolmcille but with Doherty searing through to plant in a second Buncrana goal, 2-3 led 0-2 by the quarter hour mark. 

However, Buncrana went down to 14 for a period when Laura Davision was sin binned. 

Ni Bhaoill clipped another free for Naomh Columba while Shauna Ni Cheallaigh was also on target. Down the other side, Mahon was also on the mark meaning six still split the sides. 

But a strong finish to the half from Sean Ó Ceallaigh’s team - where Ni Bhaoill landed three points, one from play - meant that only a goal separated the teams at the break, on 2-4 to 0-7. 

Ni Bhaoill got Naomh Columba off to an encouraging start when things got going once more but with Lauren Davision and Eimear Doherty landing successive points, the scoreboard now read 2-6 to 0-8 in Buncrana’s favour. 

However, nearing the end of the third quarter Naomh Columba made a real dent in Buncrana’s four-point cushion when Ni Cheallaigh goaled. And with Ni Bhaoill quickly adding a free, the game was tied at 2-6 to 1-9. 

With Naomh Columba now in the ascendency, they took the lead for the very first time on 49 minutes thanks to Kate Ni Bheirn. 

And things got even better for the Glen girls when Ni Bhaoill doubled that newfound advantage six minutes out from the end. With the pendulum now firmly in their favour, Naomh Columba launched over their fifth successive effort as Ni Dhochartaigh registered. 

And while Buncrana looked to throw the kitchen sink late on, they just couldn’t peg Naomh Columba back. 

Buncrana scorers: Tara Rose Mahon 0-3,2f; Nicole McDaid 1-0; Eimear Doherty 1-2; Laura Davision 0-1

Naomh Columba scorers: Niamh Ni Bhaoill 0-8,6f; Shauna Ni Cheallaigh 1-1; Ailbhe Ni Dhochartaigh 0-2; Kate Ni Bheirn 0-1

Buncrana: Abaigh McCarron; Jeanine McLaughlin, Hannah McLaughlin, Sorcha Doherty; Allannah Curran, Blaithin Lalor, Gemma Loughrey; Tara Rose Mahon, Grace McGonagle; Nicole McDaid, Ruby Canning, Eimear Doherty; Laura Davison, Kate Sarsfield, Aoife Doherty. 

Subs: Niamh Crawford and Emily Coady for Sarsfield and Davision (both 40), 

Naomh Columba: Clodagh Ni Ailis; Aine Ni hEigheartaigh, Oliva Ni Churraighin, Siobhan Ni hArdaigh; Laura Ni Bhaoill, Niamh Ni Ghadhra, Jasmin Ni Bheirn; Kate Ni Bheirn, Alanna Ni Bhaoill; Shauna Ni Cheallaigh, Niamh Ni Bhaoill, Ailbhe Ni Dhochartaigh; Aoibhe Ni Churraighin, Caitriona Ni Neill, Laoise Nic Fhionnlaoich. 

Subs: Sara Ni Churraighin for J Ni Bheirn (42), Cliona Ni Chasaide for L Ni Fhionnlaoich (55). 

Referee: Paul Martin (Dungloe).