Naomh Colmcille CLG – Donegal

29/08/2010
After their home victory in the first leg of this tie, Naomh Colmcille travelled to Downings yesterday evening for the return game.

Downings had a strong swirling wind at their backs in the first half and exploited it to the full, scoring four goals and and leaving Naomh Colmcille a mountain to climb in the second half.

Downings found the net within the first minute, with a cool finish from an angle on the left. Naomh Colmcille responded to the early goal with 3 points without reply, from Barry O’Hagan, Thomas McKinley and Andrew Clarke. At this stage it looked like the visitors were getting a foothold in the game, but Downings went on to stretch their lead with a series of well taken scores.

The home side took full advantage of the swirling wind at their backs the and the wet conditions and sent the ball long into the full forward line at every opportunity, giving the Naomh Colmcille backs a wave of difficult balls to deal with. The Downings attack were clinical with their scoring opportunites and went on to score 3 further goals and 4 points in the first half. Naomh Colmcille could only add one more point to their early scores with a free from Barry O’Hagan.

At half time the scoreline read 4-4 to 0-4 to the home side.

In the second half Naomh Colmcille put huge pressure on the Downings defense, but the home side dealt with the conditions better than the visitors, and were resolute in their defending, dealing well with the high ball into their full back line and getting in several last ditch blocks on goal efforts.

Naomh Colmcille scored 8 points in the second half, but Downings defended strongly around the goal and added 4 points of their own to leave the final score at 4-8 to 0-12 to the home side. Although there wasn’t that much between the sides in general play, Downings dealt with the conditions better, were clinical with the first half goals and defended strongly in the second half. The tie will now go to a third game at a neutral venue.

Naomh Colmcille:
Marty Callaghan
Paul McGill, Anthony Grant, Paul Friel
Liam Grant, Alex Devenney, Thomas McKinley
Richard Clarke, Ciaran Devine
Ciaran Callaghan, Barry O’Hagan, Ryan McErlean
Paddy O’Donnell, Joe Donaghey, Andrew Clarke

Subs: Gerard Curran, Cathal Curran, Ryan McKinley, Ruction Callaghan