LORCAN O’Donnell landed a late equalising point as Ardara and Naomh Columba shared the spoils in an exciting derby played in glorious sunshine at Pairc na nGael.
Naomh Columba 0-11 Ardara 2-5
Naomh Columba were quicker out of the traps with a 0-4 to 0-2v lead after 15 minutes with scores from Aaron Doherty (2), Lanty Molloy and Ryan Gillespie.
Lorcan O’Donnell, with two scores from play, kept Ardara in touch.
Then the tide turned in Ardara’s direction when Gareth Conncarr was fouled in the penalty area andStefan Boyle made no mistake from the spot.
A second three-pointer was to follow when a run from Paddy McGrath ended in a pass to Conncarr who hit the net.
Aaron Doherty collected his third of the half from a free to end the first half on a score of Naomh Columba 0-5 Ardara 2-2.
Aaron Doherty hit a point in the first minute of the new half but a couple of Stefan Boyle frees stretched out the lead to four.
The Glen men hit five unanswered points.
Aaron Doherty (3) and Ryan Gillespie, with time hitting the final minute, had the game level.
David O’Donnell came from the half back line to fire over and put the home side into the lead for the first time since the 14th minute.
That looked enough to win it, but a final twist in the game saw Lorcan O’Donnell point the equaliser in added time.
Naomh Columba: Gerry McGill; Kieran McBrearty, Phillip Doherty, Phillip McNern; David O’Donnell (0-1) Michael McGuire, Pauric Ward; Fionn Gallagher, Kevin McNern; Ronan Gillespie, Aaron Doherty (0-7, 5f) Ryan McNern; Ryan Gillespie (0-2), Lanty Molloy (0-1), Paul O’Hare. Subs: Barry Carr for P.McNern, Padraig Byrne for R.McNern, Pauric Cunningham for Molloy.
Ardara: Mathew McGlynn; Johnny McHugh, Declan Gavigan, Joe Melly; Paddy McGrath. Mathew Maher, Matthew Sweeney; John Ross Molloy. Robbie Adare; Jack Brennan, Kevin Whyte, Lorcan O’Donnell (0-3); Grreth Conncarr (1-0), Tomas Boyle, Stefan Boyle (1-2, 1-0pen, 2f). Subs: Shane Whyte for Maher, Tony Harkin for Whyte, Connor Classan for Adare, Danny Walsh for Brennan, CJ Molloy for Conncarr
Referee: Shane Toolan (Aodh Ruadh)
