Naomh Columba players only now realising their potential  - Brendan Doherty 

It was a case of they came, they saw and they conquered as Naomh Columba overcame Malin in Sunday’s superb IFC semi-final tangle in O’Donnell Park. 

“It’s mission accomplished,” said Naomh Columba manager Brendan Dohetry after the 2-10 to 1-10 win over last year’s beaten finalists in Letterkenny. 

“The objective coming here today was to win and to get through to the final and that has been achieved and we are delighted. 

“It was a tough battle and we expected nothing less from Malin. I’m really proud of the boys. 

“It looked as if it was going away from us in the last ten minutes but we just found another gear when it mattered”.

Paddy Byrne’s fifth minute goal separated the teams at half-time with Doherty’s charges ahead 1-5 to 0-5. 

Naomh Columba’s long and high delivery into the Malin goalmouth yielded a goal and two points out of their first half tally. 

“We like to mix it up a little. Every team we play are playing a short game so we decided to change it around for the first ten minutes and go long.

“Thankfully it paid off and we scored a goal and a couple of points from it and that gave us a good start. 

“It worked for us today but it could be a different story the next day.  Every game is different depending on the opposition”.

Naomh Columba forged further ahead by six points seven minutes into the new half thanks to a second goal scored by Ryan McNern.  

Malin slowly grinded their way back into the game and following a 45th minute Stephen McLaughlin goal and a Josh Conlon point shortly after they were back on level terms. 

The fat was now in the fire and the momentum was with the Inishowen men.

Desperate measures required desperate action and Lanty Molloy, Kevin McNern and Michael Callaghan were sprung from the bench. 

All of a sudden Naomh Columba were a different side. And Malin squandered up four good scoring chances as the Glen side Naomh picked them off on the break, closing out the game with three late points.   

“Our bench made a huge contribution in the last ten minutes just after Malin had drawn level. But all the boys, the 15 that started and the subs that came on put in a huge shift.

“I’m really proud of the way the boys dug deep in the last ten minutes or so and we are just happy to get through and are now looking forward to the final.” 

Naomh Columba will now face Termon the final, the weekend after next after they overcame Naomh Muire in the competition’s other semi-final.  

“It is another game and that is the way we have to look at it, “ insisted the Naomh Columba boss. 

“I honestly believe there is more in this team. They are only beginning to realise their potential and it is now a matter of pushing on.

“ We played in Division 1 this season and it was a great learning experience for us and the tough games are really standing to us now as we advance in the championship”.