Naomh Columba hoping to go one better this year in Intermediate Reserve

Naomh Columba’s Intermediate B side may not have had a great start to their campaign, but they have gathered momentum and are geared for a cracking contest with Termon next weekend. 

And the memory of a narrow defeat to Convoy in last year’s decider could be a real spur for the men from Glen. 

Manager Colin McNelis recalled how they lost to Fanad at home but they made up for this reversal by beating Bundoran away and then quite comfortably getting the better of Downings at home. 

They played Termon in the last group game and the Burn Road side won by a last gasp point. 

But two subsequent wins over Malin and Buncrana has set them up nicely for this weekend’s decider. 

“Termon are a good side and have plenty of fit and fast young lads and a few experienced lads which makes for an interesting mix.” 

But Glen have some pretty useful performers in Ronan Gillespie and Ronan O’Hare who plays inside. 

“Patrick Carr, who is our joint captain, has also played at senior level and we feel we have a good mix of youth and experience. 

“And the fact that we have been in exactly the same position last year should stand to us as well, even though we lost to Convoy. 

“We were seven points up at the break and they came out and just blew us away in the second half and they won in the end by four or five points, and they were outstanding. 

“So we will carry that hurt as motivation, but to get back to the final was a massive achievement in itself as we have lost some lads to the senior team. 

“We had massive support in the semi-final which was a great game and we won by 3-11 to 3-9.” 

McNelis will be hoping for more of the same on Sunday, especially from supporters. 

“We have lost five of last year’s team who have gone up to the senior team and there are four or five more who could be going up this year as well. 

“But we are expecting a really tight game with Termon again and hopefully we will get through.”