Late Karl McGlynn goal seals the win for Glenfin over Naomh Columba

A late Karl McGlynn goal put the icing on the cake for Glenfin as they took a home win against the newly promoted Naomh Columba in Páirc Taobhoige.

In their first Senior Championship outing for 18 years, the Glen men led by a point at the break, but Glenfin got on top early in the second half to go five ahead, and they never let their opponents get back to within less than a goal.

And minus some of their stars in Luke McGlynn and Daniel Marley, who are still playing in America, while Shaun Ward made an impact on his return in the second half, McGlynn impressed throughout and secured the win in added time for the hosts.

Glenfin started well with Ross Ó Mearlaigh and Stephen Ward both pointing from out on the right, but Naomh Columba could have had a goal on six minutes when Paul O’Hare played in Alex Cunnea, but he dragged his shot wide.

Karl McGlynn added another point for the hosts, but Aaron Doherty continued his Division 2 form with a great two-pointer.

Glen goalkeeper Padraig Byrne pointed from play, as Stephen Ward responded at the other end after a neat move.

But the visitors got level through Ronan O’Hare, who looked for a penalty after a slight pull-back, while a Doherty two-point free put them ahead.

Ó Mearlaigh and an Odhran O’Connor free levelled things up, as Daniel McGlynn kicked just wide when going for goal.

O’Connor added another from play, and a good run and point from Karl McGlynn put Frank McGlynn’s men two ahead.

But two similar points from range on the left foot from Shane Callaghan levelled things, before a darting run from Paul O’Hare saw the county man put his side 0-9 to 0-8 ahead at the break.

Glenfin, with Shaun Ward introduced, were dominant in the third quarter, Odhran McGlynn making it all square again before a burst of pace and point from O’Connor got them ahead.

Daniel McGlynn kicked over, and O’Connor added two more as Glenfin won possession high up, but Shane Callaghan kicked over from the left on his trusty left.

Shaun Ward kicked a contentious two-pointer from the right, which the Glen bench voiced their frustration about, believing there was a foul in the process, as Glenfin went five up.

Doherty (free) and Ward then swapped points, and Callaghan added two more, the second a free, to leave a goal in it.

Another Ward free was again responded to by Doherty, but Seaghan McCormick should have sealed the game when played in, but he pulled his shot wide.

He did turn provider for McGlynn’s goal however, as Ward won the kickout with Byrne out of his goal, and McCormick quickly played in the attacker, who saw his first effort blocked up in the air by Ryan McNern, but he palmed in the rebound.

Doherty added a late free, but Glenfin had the game wrapped up by then as the full-time whistle signalled.

Glenfin scorers: Odhran O’Connor 0-5,1f; Karl McGlynn 1-2; Shaun Ward 0-4,1tp,1f; Stephen Ward and Ross Ó Mearlaigh 0-2 each; Odhran McGlynn and Daniel McGlynn 0-1 each.

Naomh Columba scorers: Aaron Doherty 0-7,1tp,1tpf,2f; Shane Callaghan 0-5,1f; Paul O’Hare, Ronan O’Hare and Padraig Byrne 0-1 each.

Glenfin: Andrew Walsh; Eoin McGarrell, John Harkin, Martin O’Donnell; Ross Ó Mearlaigh, Jack Long, Oisin McGlynn; Jason Morrow, Stephen Ward; Callum Long, Karl McGlynn, Odhran McGlynn; Odhran O’Connor, Frank McGlynn, Daniel McGlynn.

Subs: Shaun Ward for C Long (ht), Seaghan McCormick for F McGlynn (50).

Naomh Columba: Padraig Byrne; Steven Callaghan, Philip McNern, Eoin O’Donnell; Pauric Ward, Aaron Doherty, Philip Doherty; Fionn Gallagher, Eric Carr; Alex Cunnea, Paul O’Hare, Pauric Hegarty; Shane Callaghan, Lanty Molloy, Ronan O’Hare.

Subs: Ryan McNern for Hegarty (47), Darragh Cunningham for R O’Hare (49), Michael Callaghan for Molloy (54).

Referee: Anthony Finn (Naomh Colmcille)