Shane Sweeney impresses as Ardara power past Naomh Columba and into U-21 B semis 

 Eoghan McNelis, Josh Malley and Shane Sweeney scored the goals as Ardara cruised into  the U-21 B championship semi-finals with a big win over Naomh Columba in Pearse Park. 

Corner forward Sweeney also kicked five points for the locals who dominated most of the 60 plus minutes.

It took Ardara a while to settle as Naomh Columba got off to a lively start with the men from Glen having the first four shots on goal inside the opening six minutes. But two wides and two balls short was all they had to show for their early efforts. 

Cian Sweeney finally got the hosts off the mark 11 minutes into the game with  a well struck point.

With Sweeney and Eoghan Gallagher getting on top in the middle of the field the Ardara attack kicked into action and thanks to points from Shane Sweeney, Malley and Kyle McHugh, the home side led 0-6 to 0-0 by the 24th minute mark and right before McNelis struck for the first of the Ardara three pointers.

That was in 25 minutes and when Gavin Sweeney got his eye in Ardara were 1-7 to 0–0 up the clock ticking on half-time.

Shane Callaghan from a close in free brought the curtain down on their first half scoring for Naomh Columba’s opening score. 

Shane Sweeney extended the Ardara lead within four minutes of the restart and the writing was on the wall when the impressive Malley drove forward and with a quick one two cut the Naomh Colomba defence for Ardara’s second green flag and a 2-8 to 0-1 lead. 

Shane Sweeney ignited into the game and hit a goal and two points in to extend the Ardara advantage out to 3-10 to 0-1. 

Naomh Columba enjoyed their fair share of outfield possession but came up against a well drilled and marshalled Ardara defence who were in no mood to give away handy scores.

Shane Callaghan converted another late 13 metre free for Naomh Columba’s second white flag. But Ardara had the final say with late points from Sean and Cian Sweeney.  

Ardara scorers: Shane Sweeney 1-5, Josh Malley 1-1, Eoghan McNelis 1-0, Cian Sweeney Gavin Sweeney 0-2 each, Kyle McHugh and Sean Sweeney 0-1 each.

Naomh Columba scorers: Shane Callaghan 0-2, 2f. 

Ardara; Cian O’Donnell; Charlie Bennett, Johnnie McGonagle, Niall McHugh; Josh  Malley, Darragh Hennigan, Michael Mulreany; Cian Sweeney, Eoghan Gallagher; Anthony  Bennett, Kyle McHugh, Adam McGill; Eoghan McNelis,Gavin Sweeney, Shane Sweeney.

Subs: Matthew Clerkin for M Mulreany, Niall Boyle for E Gallagher ( both 40); Conor Sweeney for S Sweeney (49); Sean Sweeney for G Sweeney (53).

Naomh Columba: Alex Gallagher; Adrian Breslin, Enda Gallagher, Evan O’Donnell; Conor O’Donoghue, Adam Cunningham, Sean Hardy; Darragh Cunningham, Rian Hegarty; Pauric Boyle, Eoghan Hegarty, Con Haughey; Shane Callaghan, Michael Callaghan, Daniel   Cunningham.

Subs: Jayden Cannon for P Boyle (53); Oisin Gillespie for  C O’Donoghue (58); Liam Hardy for C Haughey, Fearghal O Gara for A Cunningham and Shane Ellis for R Hegarty (all 60).