Naomh Columba coast to victory over Gaeil Fhánada in penultimate league outing

Naomh Columba picked up two more good league points as they remain in second place in the All-County League Division 2 standings. 

Naomh Columba 2-13  Gaeil Fhánada 0-8

By half-time in Glencolmcille, the hosts were already six up and they were quickly out of the blocks at the outset when Phillip Doherty opened the scoring with the first attack of the game. 

That was quickly cancelled out by Fergal Friel who fisted over and the visitors led three points to two on 20 minutes thanks to Seamus Kerr and a free from Liam McGrannaghan while Glen’s reply came from Paul O'Hare.  

Lanty Molloy then pierced through the visiting defence to level the score. Further points from Padraig Byrne, Michael Callaghan and Aaron Doherty put three in it heading into stoppage time. 

Naomh Columba won a penalty in added time at the end of the opening period and with Aaron Doherty tucking it away, it left the half time score, Naomh Columba 1-6, Fanad Gaels 0-3.

The second half started off with a goal chance for Fergal Friel but he was denied by a fine save from Shane O’Gara. McGrannaghan got the scoreboard up and running once again for Fanad from a free, which was quickly cancelled out by Declan McGuire.  

A well taken goal from O’Hare then put further breathing space between the sides while added points from Phillip Doherty and O’Hare eased the hosts into the last quarter. 

Fanad did get a penalty but Eoin Logue’s shot was pushed over the bar by O’Gara. And the visitors were then reduced to 14 men as Ryan McGonigle was dismissed. 

Closing points were landed at either end by the likes of Declan McGuire, Sean Hardy (2) Eric Carr, and McGrannaghan but it was Naomh Columba that deservingly took the win. 

Naomh Columba scorers: Phillip Doherty 0-2; Eric Carr 0-1; Declan McGuire 0-2; Padraig Byrne 0-1; Paul O’Hare 1-2; Sean Hardy 0-2; Michael Callaghan 0-1; Aaron Doherty 1-1,1P; Lanty Molloy 0-1. 

Gaeil Fhánada scorers: Liam McGrannaghan 0-4,3f; Eoin Logue 0-1; Seamus Carr 0-2; Fergal Friel 0-1.

Naomh Columba: Shane O’Gara;  Joseph Lyons,  Stephen Callaghan,  Philip Doherty;  Pauric Ward,  Eric Carr, Darragh Cunningham; Declan McGuire, Padraig Byrne; Paul O’Hare, Ryan McNern; Sean Hardy, Michael Callaghan, Aaron Doherty, Lanty Molloy. 

Subs  Used Shane Ellis, Patrick Carr, Ronan O’Hare, Liam Boyle, Kian Gillespie. 

Gaeil Fhánada: Marc McConigley; Sean Kerr, Patrick Herrity, Calum McAteer; Emmett Kelly, Brandan McCafferty, Darren McElwaine; Liam McGrannaghan, Padraig Carr; Sean Carr, Eoin Logue, Michael McDevitt;  Seamus Kerr, Fergal Friel, Odhran Shields.  

Subs used: Patrick Shields, Ryan McGonigle, Patrick Shields.

Referee Stephen Doherty (Red Hughs)