Naomh Columba into final but made to fight for it by Red Hughs

Five classic goals were the high points of an exciting and entertaining Michael Murphy Intermediate Championship semi-final in the Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon with Naomh Columba doing enough to make it through to another final.

The five goals were worth the admission money on their own, all scored into the Hospital end of the grounds.

Apart from a brief period in the first 10 minutes, Naomh Columba always held the upper hand on the scoreboard and it was their two magnificent goals from Philip Doherty and Kevini McNern against the wind and rain in the opening half that probably settled this tie.

The Glen men led by 2-5 to 0-6 at the break and looked comfortable for much of the second half only for Red Hughs to finish strongly with two goals in the last 10 minutes which reduced the margin to three points and then two points with time almost up.

The first of those final two goals was from the penalty spot and there was drama as Calvin Bradley’s first effort was brilliantly saved by Shane O’Gara with a full-length dive. But there was an infringement and the retaken penalty was cooly slotted home by Bradley. That brought the margin down to three (2-13 to 2-10). The second goal blasted home by Stephen McMenamin cut the lead to just two points but Aaron Doherty then stepped up to  hit a two point free and a final point from a free in front of the goals to seal the win.

It was that sort of contest, especially lively in the second half. The first half was defined by the two Naomh Columba goals and their points came two Aaron Doherty frees (both for breaches), a magnificent two point free from Padraig Byrne as well as a ‘45’ while Jack Gillespie (two frees), James Doherty, Pauric McMenamin and Cathair Browne had the Red Hughs points. Half-time: Naomh Columba 2-5, Red Hughs 0-6.

Naomh Columba were comfortable in the second half with Paul O’Hare opening with a two pointer and Shane Callaghan added three points, two with the left and one with the right. Aaron Doherty and Alex Cunnea also got in on the act, while Jack Gillespie, Jonny Carlin and Calvin Bradley had points for Red Hughs as the game reached the midway point of the second half with Naomh Columba ahead by 2-12 to 1-8.

It looked a long way back for Red Hughs. Jonny Carlin nailed a ‘45’ but Paul O’Hare went the length of the field to fist over. Carlin pointed again and then came the Bradley penalty.

It looked as if Naomh Columba had weathered the storm with subs Alex Cunnea and Christopher Cook Byrne firing over points.

But the McMenamin goal set the cat among the pigeons only for Aaron Doherty to calm things and settle the issue.

Overall it was an exciting game to watch with the better team coming out on top but fair play to Red Hughs for making a game of it in the final quarter.

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Naomh Columba scorers: Aaron Doherty 0-6,1tpf,3f; Philip Doherty, Kevin McNern 1-0 each; Shane Callaghan, Paul O’Hare (1tp), Padraig Byrne (45,1tpf) 0-3 each; Alex Cunnea 0-2; Christopher Byrne 0-1.

Red Hughs scorers: Calvin Bradley 1-1 (pen); Jonny Carlin 1-3,1’45’; Stephen McMenamin 1-0; Jack Gillespie 0-3,1tpf,1f; James Doherty, Pauric McMenamin, Cathair Browne 0-1 each.

Naomh Columba: Shane O’Gara; Steven Callaghan, Philip McNern, Paul O’Hare; Pauric Ward, Philip Doherty, Eric Carr; Padraig Byrne, Declan McGuire; Aaron Doherty, Ryan Gillespie, Pauric Hegarty; Shane Callaghan, Kevin McNern, Fionn Gallagher.

Subs: Alex Cunnea for F Gallagher (ht); Lanty Molloy for McGuire (45); Ryan McNern for P McNern (56); Christopher Byrne for R Gillespie (57); Darragh Cunningham for K McNern (60).

Red Hughs: Luke Kelly, James Gallagher, Shane Gallagher; Jason Callaghan, James Doherty, Stephen Mc Menamin, Aaron Mc Glinchey; Jack Gillespie, Darragh Mc Menamin; Peadar Mc Glinchey, Jonny Carlin, Pauric Mc Menamin; Liam Carlin, Calvin Bradley, Cathair Browne. 

Subs: Steven McBride for P McGlinchey (ht), Gerard Melaugh for Darragh McMenamin (45), Gareth McGill for Browne (55), Ryan Kelly for Doherty (55).

Referee: Daniel Carlin (N Padraig, Lifford)