NAOMH COLMCILLE ADVANCED TO the semi-finals of the Intermediate Championship, but the ten-point winning margin masked a second-half during which Carndonagh threatened to sneak a way back in.
Naomh Colmcille 4-10 Carndonagh 1-09
By the end, those attired in red were thankful for their goals, two of which were scored by the on-fire Joe Donaghy (pictured above), who ended the evening with 2-6 to his name, to ensure that Carn didn’t manage to get through the door they’d left ajar.
Don Hegarty scored the other first-half goal and Willie Gillespie bagged the fourth late in the night.
Darkness had long since descended in Convoy when Gillespie palmed home from Donaghy’s centre in the 58th minute for the score that quelled any hopes of Carndonagh catching Francie Martin’s men napping.
A Gerard Doherty goal, just 27 seconds into the second half, gave Carn a glimmer of hope and Naomh Colmcille – who led 3-5 to 0-6 at half-time – scored just once in the first 20 minutes of part two.
They came good in the final ten minutes to stave off the Carn threat.
The red mist fell over Pairc Naomh Mhuire with goalscorer Doherty red carded in the 45th minute for a late hit on Hegarty.
Liam Shiels followed him in making the long walk when he too was red carded by Michael Mulhern, the referee, for a somewhat over-zealous challenge on Ciaran Devine.
By then, the game was in the bag for the Newtowncunningham-based side, though.
Their spadework was done in a profitable and economical first-half.
Already missing the unavailable Ryan McKinley, who is on holidays, Naomh Colmcille were rocked in the second minute when Ryan McErlean was forced off with a leg injury.
The opening was cagey with three points apiece on board before Naomh Colmcille burst to life with a goal in the 13th minute.
McErlean’s replacement, Michael Lynch, boomed over a majestic free from 45 metres either side of a Donaghy brace, with Aaron Jenkins, Pauric Doherty and Paddy Nelson on the mark for Carndonagh.
The opening goal was made by Donaghy, whose industry and persistence opened the possibilities down the right flank. His inviting ball across the goalmouth was palmed home by Hegarty.
A 40-metre Donaghy free and a well-taken score by Daniel Clarke had the lead out to four when they struck goal number two on 20 minutes.
Clarke was the provider for Donaghy and his finish was measured and true, giving goalkeeper Richard Cunningham no chance.
In the final minute of the opening stanza, Gillespie’s low pass was finished by the ever-dangerous Donaghy and they led by eight at the short whistle.
Whatever Kieran Canny said to Carn at the interval, it had the desired effect.
With the first attack of the new half, Doherty cut a swathe through the Naomh Colmcille rearguard and smashed past Tony Blake for a goal that re-ignited their challenge.
With Pauric Doherty on target alongside two Fergal Doherty frees, Carn were back to within three only for Gerard Doherty’s dismissal to leave them fighting a numerical battle.
Just when they needed it, Naomh Colmcille found the answers.
Lynch nailed a ’45 while Mark Dowds and Donaghy converted scores to ease the wobbles and Gillespie made the win save when he applied the finish on 58 minutes.
Fittingly, it was Donaghy who added the coup de grâce, as one last curl of the right boot laded the final nail into the lid with a wonderfully-executed effort from distance.
There remains considerable needs for improvement, but Naomh Colmcille are right where they want to be.
Naomh Colmcile: Tony Blake; Alex Devenney, John Fullerton, Ricky Hegarty; Paul Friel, Michael Friel, Gerard Curran; Ryan McErlean, Ciaran Devine; Don Hegarty (1-0), Daniel Clarke (0-1), Eddie Gillespie; Willie Gillespie (1-0), Joe Donaghy (2-6, 4f), Mark Dowds (0-1). Subs: Michael Lynch (0-2, 1f, 1 ’45) for McErlean (2), Oran Hilley for P.Friel (41), Stephen Gallagher for Hegarty (59), Jordan McDaid for Curran (60).
Carndonagh: Richard Cunningham; Michael Nelson, Dermot McGonigle, Ryan Davenport; Danny Monagle, Pauric Doherty (0-2), James Monagle; Conor Doherty, Liam Shiels; Paddy Nelson (0-1), Gerard Doherty (1-0), Aaron McCarron; Aaron Jenkins (0-1), Fergal Doherty (0-5, 5f), Michael McLaughlin. Subs: Cathal Doherty for P.Nelson (51), Darragh Browne for Monagle (53).
Referee: Michael Mulhern (St Eunan’s).
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