Kilcar hold on to make quarter-finals with victory over Naomh Columba

Kilcar held on to make the quarter-finals of the Senior Championship with a narrow victory over neighbours Naomh Columba in Towney.

Kilcar looked to be in a strong position when they turned over three points ahead but Naomh Columba came strong in the second half to take the lead at 0-9 to 0-8, but two two pointers from Ryan McHugh sealed the win for the home side.

Aaron Doherty put the cat among the pigeons with a late two pointer and Naomh Columba had a late chance to force extra-time.

Kilcar were against the slight breeze but opened the scoring with a Ryan McHugh free on three minutes.

Ryan McNern, in the Naomh Columba side for Pauric Hegarty, was quickest to a break to fire over an equaliser but then Kilcar added three points by the 13th minute from Michael Gallagher, Brian O'Donnell (forward mark) and Jack Hegarty.

Kevin McNern added Naomh Columba's second point but it was most Kilcar who were dominating possession.

Ciaran McGinley had point number five while Shane Callaghan hit a post and Kilcar went up the field for Michael Gallagher to put four between them.

Naomh Columba had a goal chance when Aaron Doherty broke clear but failed to control first time. But he then swivelled and brought a great save from Seanie Boyle.

Doherty then hit a brilliant two pointer while Oran Doogan had the final point of a mediocre half.

Half-time: Kilcar 0-7, Naomh Columba 0-4.

Naomh Columba emerged from the dressing rooms a different side and substitute Michael Callaghann cut the lead inside two minutes. Paul O'Hare and Shane Callaghan (free) had the sides level after 40 minutes.

Brian O'Donnell edged Kilcar ahead again after good work from Ryan McHugh but Aaron Doherty levelled again after good work by Kevin McNern.

Aaron Doherty edged Naomh Columba ahead for the first time in the game on 50 minutes and we were treated to a great final 10 minutes.

Ryan McHugh responded with a magnificent two point free followed by a single from Ciaran McGinley and then a two pointer from play by McHugh to push Kilcar four clear.

But Naomh Columba didn't go away and Aaron Doherty hit a wonder two pointer into the breeze and Naomh Columba had the chance to force extra-time with the final play, winning a free and Padraig Byrne had the chance, but his effort drifted wide.

Kilcar scorers: Ryan McHugh 0-5,1f,1tpf; Brian O'Donnell (1fm), Ciaran McGinley, Michael Gallagher 0-2 each; Oran Doogan, Jack Hegarty 0-1 each.

Naomh Columba scorers: Aaron Doherty 0-6,2tp; Ryan McNern, Paul O'Hare, Shane Callaghan (f), Kevin McNern, Michael Callaghan 0-1 each.

Kilcar: Seanie Boyle; Eoghan Cormack, Pauric Carr, Ryan O'Donnell; Ryan McShane, Brian O'Donnell, Gary Molloy; Ciaran McGinley, Eoin McHugh; Conor Doherty, Ryan McHugh, Oran Doogan; Jack Hegarty, Ben Rafferty, Michael Gallagher.

Subs: Andrew McClean for Rafferty (ht); Stephen McBrearty for M Gallagher (45); Mark McHugh for R O'Donnell (49); Oran Hegarty for J Hegarty (57)

Naomh Columba: Padraig Byrne; Stephen Callaghan, Philip Doherty, Philip McNern; Pauric Ward, Aaron Doherty, Ryan McNern; Fionn Gallagher, Eric Carr; Darragh Cunningham, Paul O'Hare, Alex Cunnea; Shane Callaghan, Kevin McNern, Lanty Molloy.

Subs: Michael Callaghan for Cunningham (ht); Ronan O'Hare for L Molloy (52)

Referee: Cathal Boland (Ardara)