Kilcar edge very close local derby against Naomh Columba in Pairc na nGael

It took the intervention of referee Enda McFeely in the final minutes to decide this very close contest at Pairc na nGael with Ciaran McGinley’s late effort deciding the contest.

The umpire waved it wide but referee McFeely was in a very good position to make his decision.

Some minutes earlier the referee also was the judge as an effort from Kevin McNern was just inches wide against the breeze.

As was the case at most venues, the wind and rain was a big factor and Naomh Columba had it in their backs in the opening half. Brendan Doherty had his squad well up for the contest and Lanty  Molloy had a shot at goal saved in the opening minute, straight from the throw-in. Kevin Campbell turned it out for a ‘45’ from which Paddy Byrne had the opening score.

There was plenty of passion, especially from the home side, who were meeting their local rivals in Division 1 for the first time in 22 years.

It got better for the home side on five minutes when Eric Carr launched a high ball and Christopher Byrne got on the end of it to find the Kilcar net.

Matthew McClean steadied the Kilcar ship with two frees before the lively Shane Callaghan won and pointed a free at the other end.

Ciaran McGinley had the point of the half when he powered through to judge the wind to perfection but again Naomh Columba responded with their best player on the day Kevin McNern involved before Pauric Hegarty pointed.

Eoin Cormack and Stephen McBrearty with a very good effort cut the lead to a point just before the break but in added time Kevin McNern found the range to leave the half-time score: Naomh Columba 1-4, Kilcar 0-5.

Paul O'Hare avoids the challenge of Mark McHugh in the derby game Picture: Thomas Gallagher

Kilcar found it difficult to gauge the wind early in the new half before Matthew McClean sent over from 55m.

Conor Doherty did well to cut in and fist over an equaliser on 40 minutes and three minutes later Mark Sweeney, not long on the field, pushed Kilcar into the lead for the first time in the contest.

Naomh Columba got a great boost a minute later with Sean Hardy and  Pauric Hegarty heavily involved in a quick break and Hegarty crossed for Christopher Byrne to fist home a second goal.

Matthew McClean cut the lead again to the minimum on 47 minutes and Stephen McBrearty had Kilcar level on 51 minutes.

There was plenty of excitement from there to the finish, play having to be stopped as a toddler made his way onto the pitch trying to get in on the action.

The crowd got involved as the late decisions from the referee decided a contest that Naomh Columba probably deserved a share of the spoils.

Apart from the excellent Kevin McNern, Paul O’Hare, Eric Carr, Declan McGuire, Pauric Hegarty and Shane Callaghan were excellent.

Kilcar were put to the pin of their collar but Oran Doogan, Ciaran McGinley, Mark McHugh, Conor Doherty and Stephen McBrearty stepped up when needed.

Naomh Columba scorers: Christopher Byrne 2-0; Pauric Hegarty, Kevin McNern, Shane Callaghan (f), Paddy Byrne (‘45’) 0-1 each.

Kilcar scorers: Matthew McClean 0-4,3f; Ciaran McGinley, Stephen McBrearty 0-2 each; Eoin Cormack, Conor Doherty, Mark Sweeney 0-1 each.

Naomh Columba: Shane O’Gara; Stephen Callaghan, Barry Carr, Darragh Cunningham; Eric Carr, Paul O’Hare, Pauric Hegarty; Kevin McNern, Declan McGuire; Lanty Molloy, Christopher Byrne, Ryan McNern; Shane Callaghan, Paddy Byrne, Ronan O’Hare.

Subs: Sean Hardy for L Molloy (16); Michael Callaghan for R McShane (26).

Kilcar: Kevin Campbell; Oran Doogan, Brian O’Donnell, Pauric Carr; Ryan O’Donnell, Eoin McHugh, Ryan McShane; Ciaran McGinley, Eoin Cormack; Mark McHugh, Conor Doherty, Matthew McClean; Gary Molloy, Ben Rafferty, Stephen McBrearty.

Subs: Mark Sweeney for Rafferty (38); Paddy McShane for Cormack, Barry Shovlin for Ryan O’Donnell (both 45).

Referee:  Enda McFeely (St Mary’s, Convoy)