Brendan Doherty pleased with Naomh Columba’s calmness at end

Naomh Columba are through to another Intermediate Championship final after withstanding a late rally from Red Hughs in the semi-final in Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon on Sunday.

For long periods it looked as if they were cruising to the final but Red Hughs refused to die and cut the six and seven point deficits to two close to the end. But Aaron Doherty hit a two point free and quickly added another tap over free to seal the win, 2-18 to 3-10.

Afterwards Naomh Columba manager, Brendan Doherty, was quick to praise the Killygordon side for their attitude.

"One thing I will say, Red Hughs have been a breath of fresh air to the championship and we never underestimated them for one second. We knew coming in here it would be a battle and it was a battle right up to the very end.

"Even when we were seven, eight up at one stage we knew they weren't going to throw in the towel.  I didn't foresee what was going to happen but I knew they wouldn't lie down.”

The men from Glen certainly got a test and it’s something that they might appreciate as they face into a third Intermediate final in quick succession in just over a week’s time with Malin their final opponents.

"Yeah, once you get to a semi-final you never get it your own way all the time and they certainly gave us a test," said Doherty, who agreed it was a good way to go to the final.

"But, as you well know, finals are for winning as well.”

Asked about the challenge ahead against Malin, Doherty said: "We didn't play them this year. I think they were relegated from Division 1 this year. We saw plenty of them last year. But look, Malin are going to be a huge test for us as well.”

Doherty was reluctant to heap praise on individuals but agreed that Shane Callaghan was excellent as well as his cousin Philip Doherty and his brother Steven at corner-back. "Look, it's not about individuals now; it's not about the team now, it's about the whole squad. Look, Alex Cunnea made a huge difference when he came on; even Christopher Cook (Byrne) came in and did well.

"Alex was carrying an injury for some time. He declared himself fit and we had a decision before the game and it was testimony to him that he wants to be playing. I knew going down the stretch that we needed Alex Cunnea on the field and he had a fantastic second half.”

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The final minutes were exciting after county player Stephen McMenamin fired home a third Red Hughs goal but Doherty felt his side remained composed.

"We should have been warned as he did it also last week. But the one thing I will say, we never panicked when they did come back. Like last week, when it was put up to us by Buncrana, we never panicked and I don't think we panicked out there today as well so hopefully that will stand us in good stead going forward.

"It was a good game, not just for those involved, but for the neutral it was a good game," said Doherty.