Gaoth Dobhair blow hot and cold to spoil Naomh Columba's top-flight return

Gaoth Dobhair spoiled the party for Naomh Columba, on the hosts' first Division 1 outing since 2005.

The visitors stamped down their authority early on and had 1-2 on the board before their hosts got a score.

The goal came from Cathal de Burca from close range after good work from Ethan Harkin and Niall Friel, followed by two frees from Cathal Gillespie. Shane Callaghan opened the Naomh Conaill account then Eric Carr also posted, although it was Ronan Mac Niallais’ Gaoth Dobhair who went in at the break in a comfortable enough position, leading 1-9 to 0-4, with Harkin showing well.

The home side, who face a daunting fixture list with St Eunan’s and Kilcar to come in the next two games, put up a fight in the second half. Naomh Columba managed two early scores from Shane Callaghan, with the second one being a free but on 36 minutes. Stephen Donna McFadden hit high into the roof of the net for Gaoth Dobhair, in what would be their only score of the second half.

Naomh Columba started to eat into the lead with another Shane Callaghan free and Carr hit two from play. With six minutes left, Gaoth Dobhair went down to 14 as Sean Doherty's evening came to an early ending with a second yellow card. Naomh Columba added further points from Shane Callaghan - to bring his total to six for the evening - and Carr but time was against them as the full-time whistle went with Gaoth Dobhair winning out by four points and welcome Sean MacCumhaill’s next.

Naomh Columba scorers: Shane Callaghan 0-6, 3f; Eric Carr 0-4, 1f; Paul O’Hare 0-1.
Gaoth Dobhair scorers: Cathal de Burca and Stephen Donna McFadden 1-0; Ethan Harkin 0-3, 1f; Cathal Gillespie 0-3, 2f; Eoin de Burca, Niall Friel and Neasán Mac Giolla Bride 0-1 each.

Naomh Columba: Shane O’Gara; Stephen Callaghan, Barry Carr, Adrian Breslin; Darragh Cunningham, Paul O’Hare, Pauric Hegarty; Declan McGuire, Kevin McNern; Sean Hardy, Eric Carr, Ryan McNern; Shane Callaghan, Lanty Molloy, Kian Gillespie. Subs: Jamie McNern, Kieran McBrearty
Gaoth Dobhair: Daniel Roarty; Eamonn Mac Giolla Bhride, Gary McFadden, Ferghal Delaney; Cathal de Burca, Niall Friel, Neasán Mac Giolla Bride; Micheál Roarty, Sean Doherty; Stephen Donna McFadden, Cian MacEntee, Fionnan Mac Giolla Chomhaill; Ethan Harkin, Eoin de Burca, Cathal Gillespie. Subs: Danny Curran, Seaghain O Fearraigh, Fiachara Giolla Chomhaill, Mark McFadden
Referee: Jimmy White (Killybegs)