Burt cruise to win over Naomh Colmcille to maintain unbeaten record

Burt made it four wins from four outings on Saturday night when they overpowered neighbours Naomh Colmcille in Division 3 of the All County League at Hibernian Park.

The teams had some terrific contests throughout the 2010s, but this was one-way traffic from the outset. Burt led by 3-7 to 0-2 at half time, and the fresh legs of their substitutes helped them to another 1-14 in the second period.

Goals from Darragh Donaghey and Kieran Brady put Burt into a 2-4 to 0-0 lead by the midway point of the first half when referee Stephen Doherty called a water-break on a pleasantly warm evening at Hibernian Park.

Kicking into the breeze, Burt hit ten wides in that first half but Jack O’Brien and Shayne Gallagher kept the scoreboard ticking, the latter lobbing a fisted goal past the outrushing Newtown goalkeeper Kia Brown after Andrew Walker had intercepted a kickout just before the break.
Naomh Colmcille had two points on the board by then with centre forward Shay McCole, who impressed throughout, converting a 23rd minute free to open their account and scoring from play five minutes later.

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With just the bare 15, Naomh Colmcille were unable to make any substitutions while Burt got a good lift from their substitutes throughout the second half.

Andrew Walker opened the second half scoring for the home team, with Keith McColgan hitting a quickfire 1-2 and Michael McElroy also getting on the scoresheet.

They leg by 4-11 to 0-4 when referee Doherty called the second water break, Matthew Doran having landed an excellent two point free for Naomh Colmcille by then.

Darrren Gallagher and Jack O’Brien (2) kept the points flying over for Burt before Naomh Colmcille hit back-to-back points through Eoin Flanagan (a free) and Shay McCole.

But Burt finished strongly, adding seven points in the final ten minutes with two pointers from play from both Stephen O’Donnell and Jack O’Brien, one from Darragh Donaghey and substitute Charlie Lavery rounded of the scoring with two points from a free and play.

Burt travel to promotion rivals Letterkenny Gaels on Sunday, while Naomh Colmcille will hope to earn their first win of the season when they host Robert Emmet’s.

Burt scorers: Jack O’Brien 0-7 (one 2-pointer, and 0-2f); Keith McColgan 1-3; Shayne Gallagher 1-1 (0-1f); Darragh Donaghey 1-2; Kieran Brady 1-0; Darren Gallagher 0-2; Stephen O’Donnell 0-2 (2-pointer); Charlie Lavery 0-2 (1f); Andrew Walker 0-1; Michael McElroy 0-1.

Naomh Colmcille scorers: Shay McCole 0-3 (1f); Matthew Doran 0-2 (2-point free); Eoin Flanaghan 0-1

Burt: Niall McGlynn; Leo Kelly, Tom Doherty, Dara Grant; Martin Donaghey, Denver Kelly, Darren Gallagher; Stephen O’Donnell, Jack O’Brien, Keith McColgan; Darragh Donaghey, Calvin Gallagher, Shayne Gallagher. Subs: Caolan McKinney, Michael McElroy, Oisin Kerr, Charlie Lavery, Callum Porter.

Naomh Colmcille: Kia Brown; Shane McCauley, Alex Devenney, Kevin Gallagher; Joshua Kildea, Jason Fitzpatrick, Kevin Dolan; Michael Friel, Hugh O’Donnell; Matthew Doran, Shay McCole, Ryan Gallagher; Eoin Flanagan, Matthew Whoriskey, Gerard Casey.

Referee: Stephen Doherty (Red Hugh’s)