Naomh Colmcille CLG – Donegal

Senior Men – Match Report
Naomh Colmcille V Castlefin
Round 5 of the All County League Division 3

It was a fantastic day for football at Páirc Colmcille as the Newtown men looked to bounce back from last week’s home defeat to a strong Urris side and the home support were not to be disappointed.

Naomh Colmcille made the perfect start, striking for goal just two minutes in. From the throw-in, they worked the ball forward, and when Luke Coyle’s effort dropped short, veteran Paul Friel reacted quickest to fire to the net and raise the first flag of the day.

The hosts followed up with another well-worked score, finished by Shay McCole, before Castlefinn opened their account on 7 minutes after winning a long kick-out and converting from play.

Naomh Colmcille responded well. A short kick-out from Kai Brown to McCole sparked a strong run from Dean Ramsey, who picked out Caolan Monaghan (“Mono”) for a composed point.

Castlefinn then enjoyed a spell of pressure, hitting two frees to leave the sides level at the water break, 1-02 to 0-03. They edged ahead shortly after with another free and a well-taken two-pointer from their goalkeeper, who was heavily involved outfield.

Eoin Flanagan steadied things with a free for Naomh Colmcille after good work from Paul Friel, before a late burst saw the home side regain control. Fintan Loughran carried strongly from midfield and laid off to Monaghan, who finished well to leave it 1-04 to 0-06 at the break.

The second half began with more goal chances for Naomh Colmcille, but Castlefinn’s defence stood firm. The visitors drew level again early on, and the home side were dealt a blow when Flanagan was forced off through injury, with Matthew Doran introduced.

Naomh Colmcille responded with intensity. Strong pressure from captain Michael Friel and Paul Friel forced a turnover, leading to a free that Monaghan converted after McCole was fouled.

The turning point came midway through the half. A turnover deep in defence from Fabian Flood launched a sweeping move through Paul Friel and Ciaran Kennedy, ending with Monaghan spotting the Castlefinn goalkeeper off his line and coolly rolling the ball into the net.

From there, the home side took control. Monaghan added another point before a brilliant team move ended with Dean Ramsey blasting to the roof of the net to make it 3-07 to 0-07.

Castlefinn showed great spirit, replying with a two-pointer from their goalkeeper, but Naomh Colmcille kept the scoreboard ticking. A superb save from Kai Brown denied any hopes of a comeback, while further scores from McCole, Monaghan, and substitute Emmet Rodgers sealed the win.

Final Score:
Naomh Colmcille 3-09
Castlefinn 0-13

A strong all-round performance from the lads, with plenty of positives to build on going forward.

1 Kai brown, 2 Josh Kildea, 3 Fabian Flood, 4 Riordain Coyle, 5 Kevin Dolan, 6 Michael Friel, 7 Eoin Flanagan, 8 Dean Ramsey, 9 Shay mc cole, 10 Luke Coyle, 11 Ciaran Kennedy, 29 Fintan Loughran, 28 Ben Coyle, 14 Paul Friel
27 Caolan Monaghan, 17 Matthew Doran, 18 Emmet Rodgers, 21 Ronan Lynch Subs: 19 Shane mc Cauley, 20 michael mc Cauley, 24 Conor callaghan
25 Aaron Donnell