Downings edge Naomh Columba in IFC thriller 

Ronan Gallagher grabbed a dramatic winning point for Downings in Glencolmcille as they squeezed out Naomh Columba in a brilliant IFC tussle.  

Naomh Columba 2-12 Downings 3-10

In a pendulum-swinging first period, it was Lorcan Connor who rattled off the first score for the visitors from a mark. 

Aaron Doherty then leveled matters from a 45’ but that was stroked out up the other side by  Gallagher. However, Doherty was again on target as Glen got their noses in front once more. 

The first goal came after ten minutes as Lorcan Connor scored from close range but Naomh Columba replied in the best possible fashion as Doherty also rattled the net. 

And an Oisin McGinley point on the stroke of half-time meant that Paddy J McGinley’s men held a 1-4 to 1-3 at the changeover. 

The second-half started well for the visitors as Kevin Doherty got Downings’ second major of the afternoon but back came Naomh Columba again and points from Doherty and Michael Callaghan, as well as a goal from Darragh Cunningham, left it 2-6 to 2-4 in Glen’s favour. 

A Lanty Molloy effort as well as a brace from Padraig Byrne helped put Naomh Columba three clear at 2-10 to 2-7 going into the last quarter.  

But back came the visitors and a goal from the lively Patrick McElwee squared it. He then followed that up with a point as Downing stole the lead. The brilliant Doherty would level it up once final time but just as it looked like the game would end in a draw, Gallagher kicked the winning score.

Still, both sides are still guaranteed quarter-final spots with Naomh Columba up against Termon and Downings battling Red Hughs. 

Naomh Columba scorers: Aaron Doherty 1-7,4f; Padraig Byrne 0-2,2f; Darragh Cunningham 1-0; Michael Callaghan 0-1; Oisin McGinley 0-1; Lanty Molloy 0-1.

Downings scorers: Patrick McElwee 1-3; Lorcan Connor 1-1; Johnny McGroddy 0-3; Kevin Doherty 1-0; Oisin Boyce 0-1; Ronan Gallagher 0-2. 

Naomh Columba: Shane O’Gara; Barry Carr, Stephen Callaghan, Philip Doherty; Paul O’Hare,  Aaron Doherty, Pauric Hegarty;  Padraig Byrne, Darragh Cunningham; Ryan McNern, Eric Carr,  Michael Callaghan; Oisin McGinley, Joseph Lyons, Declan McGuire.

Subs: Lanty Molloy for M Callaghan, Stephen Jones for S Callaghan, Sean Hardy for Cunningham, Kieran McBrearty for R McNern. 

Downings: Aodh McBride; Hugh Davies, Ben McNutt, Padraig McGinty; Keelan McGroddy,  Ronan Gallagher, Dean McBride; Oisin Boyce, Ronan Pasoma; Ethan Cullen, Kevin Doherty, Connor Boyce; Johnny McGroddy, Lorcan Connor, Patrick McElwee

Subs Ben McBride Cullen, Tiernan McBride for Davies, Shane Boyce for McGinty, Max Davies for C Boyce. 

Referee Anthony McCallig ( Naomh Ultan).