Naomh Columba no match for slick Carrickmacross in Ulster Intermediate

A magnificent Carrickmacross Emmetts were much too strong for Donegal Intermediate champions in the Ulster quarter-final in Inniskeen on Saturday.

Naomh Columba were never in a contest dominated by the Monaghan champions, who had 1-3 on the board in the opening quarter with the Glen men unable to raise a flag.

Carrickmacross were on top everywhere with a very dominant half-forward line who finished the game with 1-16 between them.

For Naomh Columba nothing seemed to go their way including two breaches leading to tap over scores. It was a day they will want to forget. It will be intesting to see how the Monaghan champions perform from now on.

Naomh Columba were hit with a Carrickmacross whirlwind in the opening minutes. Donnach Swinburne got through easily to fist the opening score and a minute later he was in acres of space again and this time he drilled low past Shane O'Gara.

Naomh Columba just didn't have any penetration and by the 14th minute Stephen O'Hanlon and Aaron Lynch (free) had the Monaghan side six to the good.

Thanks to good work from Paul O'Hare, Naomh Columba got on the scoreboard with Kevin McNern swinging over.

But there was no let up from Carrickmacross as Aaron Lynch and O'Hanlon kept the scoreboard ticking.

Fionn Gallagher had a goal chance on 22 minutes but he was quickly crowded out. Padraig Byrne landed a '45' but in the final minutes of the first half Fionan Cassidy, Aaron Lynch and Stephen O'Hanlon added quick points to leave the Monaghan champions nine ahead at the break  Carrickmacross 1-8, Naomh Columba 0-2.

Karl McMenamin had the opening second half point and there was brief hope when Aaron Doherty hit a two pointer.

But by the 40th minute Swinburne, O'Hanlon and Lynch with three had the gap opened to 1-14 to 0-4.

Naomh Columba did hit the next four points from Kevin McNern, Shane Callaghan, Eric Carr and Lanty Molloy but the outcome was never in doubt.

Pauric Hegarty had the Glen men's only other score as Carrickmacross added seven more  points before the end.

To add to their misery Naomh Columba finished with 13 as Kevin McNern picked up a straight red and Eric Carr a second yellow in the final minutes.

Overall a poor day for the Donegal champions who will go home with some soul searching to do.

Naomh Columba scorers: Kevin McNern, Aaron Doherty (tp) 0-2 each; Padraig Byrne (45), Eric Carr, Pauric Hegarty, Lanty Molloy, Shane Callaghan 0-1 each.

Carrickmacross scorers: Aaron Lynch 0-8f; Stephen O'Hanlon 0-6; Donnach Swinburne 1-2; James Maguire 0-2,1f; Fionan Cassidy 0-2; Karl McMenamin, Declan Lynch 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, Fionn Gallagher, Alex Cunnea; Shane Callaghan, Kevin McNern, Pauric Hegarty.

Subs: Lanty Molloy for F Gallagher 37; Darragh Cunningham for A Cunnea 38; Christopher Byrne for D McGuire 45; Ryan McNern for Callaghan 55.

Carrickmacross: Aaron Murray; Darragh Mee, Jack McGeown, Cillian Cromwell; Matthew Carolan, Karl McMenamin, Declan Lynch; Niall Loughman, Gary McEnaney; Aaron Lynch, Donnach Swinburne, Stephen O'Hanlon; Fionan Carolan, James Maguire, Fionan Cassidy.

Subs: James Conlon for M Carolan 44; Caolan Martin for D Lynch 50

Referee: Mark Loughran (Tyrone)