Naomh Columba 0-13
Gaoth Dobhair 1-16
By Matthew Wilson
Gaoth Dobhair made it two wins from two in the Senior Football Championship courtesy of a six-point win over Naomh Columba at Pairc na nGael on Saturday evening.
The visitors impressed in the opening stanza and they managed to build up a ten-point advantage at the short whistle.
Brendan Doherty’s charges battled back after the restart but the Magheragallon men held on to their lead to secure the two points.
Saturday evening’s contest was preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of James and Noreen McHugh of Kilcar.
Gaoth Dobhair got the scoring underway on the five minute mark, with Sean Pol Ó Gallchoir finding the target.
Shortly afterwards, Naomh Columba got off the mark courtesy of a close-range free from captain Aaron Doherty.
However, a pair of placed balls from Ethan Harkin (one two-pointer) and a well-worked score from Stephen McFadden gave the visitors a four-point cushion on the quarter hour mark.
Naomh Columba’s Shane Callaghan responded by converting a short-range free, but it would be his side’s final score of the half, as Gaoth Dobhair hit 1-4 without reply.
This fruitful period was commenced by a pair of quick-fire points from Harkin (one free) before Stephen McFadden and Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride landed further scores for their team.
As the clock entered red, the Magheragallon men found a vital score in the form of the evening’s only major.
Aodan Breathnach found Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride in the square who saw his effort saved by Padraig Byrne but Cathal Rua Ó Gallchoir was on-hand to slot home the rebound, leaving Gaoth Dobhair ten ahead at the break.
Harkin and Phillip Doherty traded points before the Glen men kicked three in-a-row through Lanty Molloy and Doherty (two-pointer).
Fionnan Coyle and Aaron Doherty exchanged scores before Naomh Columba’s Paul O’Hare struck over a fantastic effort from range, with the orange flag raised to reduce the arrears to five points as we entered the final quarter.
On the 50 minute mark, Harkin slotted over a well-taken 45’ for Ronan Mac Niallais’s side but it was soon cancelled out, with Doherty landing a free of his own at the other end.
Brendan Doherty’s side kept pressing for a way back into the contest, but Gaoth Dobhair responded by stretching their lead further, as Cathal Mac Aoidh and Eamonn Collum both raised white flags.
The Glen men continued to battle until the end and three successive scores through Shane Callaghan (free) and an Alex Cunnea two-pointer closed the gap to four points.
However, Gaoth Dobhair concluded proceedings with a two-pointer from Adam Mac Iomhair, who attempted to lob Padraig Byrne after the goalkeeper had come off his line but he recovered well to kick the ball over the crossbar.
Teams
Naomh Columba: Padraig Byrne; Steven Callaghan, Philip Doherty (0-1), Philip McNern; Pauric Ward, Paul O’Hare (0-2,1tp), Pauric Hegarty; Fionn Gallagher, Eric Carr; Kevin McNern, Aaron Doherty (0-5,1tp,0-2f), Alex Cunnea (0-2,1tp); Shane Callaghan (0-2,0-2f), Lanty Molloy (0-1), Michael Callaghan. Subs: Darragh Cunningham for Michael Callaghan and Ryan McNern for Molloy (54 mins).
Gaoth Dobhair: Daithi Roberts; Jordi Gribben, Gary McFadden, Dallan Ó Baoill; Aodan Breathnach, Fiachra Coyle, Cathal Mac Aoidh (0-1); Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride (0-1), Joey Coll; Cathal Rua Ó Gallchoir (1-0), Stephen McFadden (0-2), Fionnan Coyle (0-1); Sean Paul Ó Gallchoir (0-1), Ethan Harkin (0-8,1tp,0-2f,1 45’), Eamonn McGee. Subs: Neasan Mac Giolla Bhride for Ó Baoill (40 mins), Eamonn Collum (0-1) for Sean Pol Ó Gallchoir (42 mins), Adam Mac Iomhair (0-2,1tp) for Cathal Rua Ó Gallchoir (47 mins), Liam Breathnach for Breathnach (55 mins).
Referee: Val Murray (Aodh Ruadh)