Malin 2-12 Naomh Columba 0-18
BY BRENDAN MONAGLE
Malin rescued a draw with 2-01 in the last five minutes after a second half dominated by the already promoted Naomh Columba in a frantic finish on a perfect evening for football in Connolly Park. Aaron Doherty was in fine form for the visitors with eight points but Malin’s resilience in rescuing a draw is not to be underestimated, though their own promotion hopes are now not in their own hands with the side level on points with Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin and one behind Ardara with both other sides having the superior head to head, with the final round of fixtures to come on Sunday.
Malin raced into a four point lead by the tenth minute with two early Josh Conlon scores added to by Matthew Mullarkey and a Stephen McLaughlin advanced mark after no advantage was gained. The men from Glencolmcille got their first score from Fionn Gallagher after he powered through with his side working the ball through the hands. Aaron Doherty drove over shortly afterwards. Brendan McLaughlin got Malin going again at the midway point of the half cutting in from the right and firing over with the left. Stephen McLaughlin then slotted over after Malin worked a short free and Malin were five up when Josh Conlon tapped over a free after Stephen McLaughlin was brought down. Shane Callaghan freed after no advantage and then Aaron Doherty curled in a two pointer from up the right. There was then a couple of goal threats, one at each end, Malin had an effort ruled out for square ball and at the other end Shane Callaghan’s pointed effort hit the far upright before coming down to hit the inside of the post but managed to stay out. Another two pointer from Aaron Doherty, this time drilled over from the centre levelled the sides on the stroke of halftime but Malin went in ahead with the slenderest of leads when a well-fielded ball by Christopher McLaughlin sent Josh Conlon away down the right and he curled in from well out the sideline as the half time score read Malin 0-08 Naomh Colomba 0-07.
The visitors started the second half well and after a good spell of possession they were level five minutes in with Pauric Ward curling over. The same player put Kevin McNern through but his fierce drive came off the crossbar but Philip Doherty was on hand to fire over a point knowing the advantage was coming. They were soon three in front with Aaron Doherty twice pointing again up the left. McNern pointed up the left and then Philip Doherty hit the score of the game with a two pointer from the outside of his boot way out the right. Zach Conlon made a great save to deny a Glen goal but Ronan O’Hare was on hand to slot over the rebound and the lead was out to seven with ten to play. Darragh Cunningham had time and space to be happy to fist over after Malin missed a half goal chance at the other end, an overload not capitalised on with Oran Doherty’s soccer style effort well blocked. Malin’s first score of the half came 23 minutes in from Luke Rudden but Aaron Doherty replied right away with a fisted effort from the thirteen as the lead stayed at eight. Christopher McLaughlin two pointed free after a breach to bring it back to six but Pauric Hegarty replied immediately. Malin then got a goal with two minutes left to set up a grandstand finish, Luke Rudden palming home after a ball came across the square. A minute later they had a second green flag after Sonny Bonner bundled home a launched ball in and with bodies on the line the net somehow bulged much to the delight of the buoyant home crowd and after a half dominated by the visitors they were somehow only one behind. Ryan McGeoghegan equalised from an advanced mark holding his nerve second time round from out on the left. Malin won the final kickout but couldn’t force a winner and it finished all square Malin 2-12 Naomh Columba 0-18.
Malin scorers: Josh Conlon (0-04, 1f), Luke Rudden (1-01), Sonny Bonner (1-00), Christopher McLaughlin (0-02, 2ptf), Brendan McLaughlin (0-01), Stephen McLaughlin (0-02, 1f, Advanced Mark), Matthew Mullarkey (0-01), Ryan McGeoghegan (0-01, Advanced Mark).
N. Columba scorers: Aaron Doherty (0-08, 2 2pt), Philip Doherty (0-03, 1 2pt), Shane Callaghan (0-01, 1f), Fionn Gallagher (0-01), Kevin McNern (0-01), Pauric Ward (0-01), Pauric Hegarty (0-01), Darragh Cunningham (0-01), Ronan O’Hare (0-01).
Malin team: Zach Conlon, Ryan Doherty, Ciaran Doherty, Gary Farren, Finn Ward, Taylor Bonner, Ben Curley, Ciaran O’Kane, Oran Doherty, Stephen McLaughlin, Josh Conlon, Darragh Douglas, Matthew Mullarkey, Christopher McLaughlin and Brendan McLaughlin. Subs used: Sonny Bonner for Ciaran O’Kane (ht), Luke Rudden for Finn Ward (50 mins), Euan McFeely for Stephen McLaughlin (54 mins), Ryan McGeoghegan for Matthew Mullarkey (56 mins).
Naomh Columba team: Colm McElroy, Stephen Callaghan, Phillip Doherty, Evan O’Donnell, Pauric Ward, Aaron Doherty, Pauric Hegarty, Fionn Gallagher, Kevin McNern, Shane Callaghan, Paul O’Hare, Alex Cunnea, Darragh Cunningham, Lanty Molloy and Ronan O’Hare
Referee: Pat Barrett (Milford)