Naomh Columba held on for a vital victory over a battling Buncrana team, who have been relegated to Division Three.
Naomh Columba 2-9 Buncranna 1-11
Aaron Doherty got Naomh Columba off to a good start with the opening two scores before Buncrana level through John Campbell and Oisin Doherty.
Ronan Gillespie’s point on ten minutes was quickly cancelled out by a Caolan McGonagle point.
Midway through the first half, a great ball from Doherty to Ronan Gillespie saw him fire past Harry Doherty for a goal.
Buncrana led by one at the break, 0-8 to 1-4, with Caolan McGonagle (3) Oisin O Flaherty and Ben Bradley on the mark.
The second half started well for Buncrana. Straight from the throw in Caolan McGonagle won the ball and went straight to John Campbell whose low drive to the net after just 16 seconds of the re-start
Naomh Columba battled back well and a crucial goal from Christopher Byrne on the 43rd minutes got them back into it as he fisted Ryan Gillespie’s ball in to the net.
It was a lead they wouldn’t lose.
Buncrana got points from Oisin Hegerty and Caolan McGonagle. but Naomh Columba kept in front with points from Declan McGuire and Doherty as the game came to a close.
Naomh Columba: Pauric O’Donnell; Barry Carr, Phillip Doherty, Martin Cunningham; Pauric Ward, Aaron Doherty (0-4, 1f), Stephen Jones; Paddy Byrne, Fionn Gallagher; Lanty Molloy (0-2), Declan McGuire (0-1), Ronan Gillespie (1-1); Ryan Gillespie (0-1f), Christopher Byrne (1-0), Kieran McBrearty. Subs: Kevin McNern for McGuire Pauric O’Neill for Ward
Buncrana: Harry Doherty; Adrian Doherty, Noel McLaughin, Cathal McNutt; Oisin O Flaherty (0-1), William McLaughin, Mathew Mulholland; Paul Nelson, Caolan McGonagle (0-4, 1 ’45); John Paul McKenna, John Campbell (1-2), Ben Bradley (0-1); Oisin Doherty (0-1), Peter McLaughin (0-1), Odhran Doherty. Subs: Oisin Hegerty( 0-1) for Nelson.
Referee: Enda McFelley (St Mary’s, Convoy)
