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Naomh Colmcille outmuscle Carn
08.07.11
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Carndonagh...1-7 Naomh Colmcille...2-12 NAOMH Colmcille saw off the challenge of Carndonagh on Saturday night to reach the first round proper of the Intermediate Football Championship. The Newtown side had defeated Carn by 0-14 to 1-6 in the first leg six weeks earlier, but this victory in Foden was even more comfortable. With Stephen Davenport pulling the strings, and Ciaran Callaghan and William Gillespie hitting a goal apiece in either half, Naomh Colmcille were good value for their victory, and their reward is a two-legged tie with Naomh Mhuire. Carn were out-muscled and outfought by their opponents, and while there were good displays from Gerard Doherty, Paddy Nelson, Gerard Crossan and Ryan Davenport, they were second best for long periods of the game. On a perfect evening for football, Naomh Colmcille were first to settle with Stephen Davenport and William Gillespie hitting two early points. Naomh Colmcille’s stand-in keeper Anthony Grant had to be alert to save with his knees from Ryan Davenport, but Carn drew level by the 11th minute with points from Gerard Doherty and Oliver McConalogue. Naomh Colmcille took the lead through county U21 player Ryan McErlean moments later and they never looked back after it. Matthew Crossan, who gave his marker a torrid time, extended Naomh Colmcille’s lead to two points before Ciaran Callaghan hit the first goal of the game on 18 minutes. Stephen Davenport, who was instrumental in many of Naomh Colmcille’s scores, sent in a raking, diagonal ball to the unmarked Callaghan. The corner forward had time to pick his spot, and although Carn keeper Gerard Crossan got a hand to it, it squeezed inside his left hand post and put Naomh Colmcille 1-4 to 0-2 in front. Donnacha Gallagher responded with a free for Carn, but Naomh Colmcille were on top and intent on pressing their advantage home. Matthew Crossan hit his second point of the night, and the Carn defence had to be alert to avert the danger when a Willie Gillespie effort hit the upright and fell in Mattie Crossan’s vicinity. Carn midfielder Gerard Doherty pointed just before the break as the visitors led by 1-5 to 0-4. There was more of the same after the break. Naomh Colmcille were taller and physically stronger than their more youthful opponents, and they hit three points – two from Matthew Crossan and one from Willie Gillespie – within ten minutes of the restart. Ryan Davenport had broken that sequence with a point for Carn after some patient build up play, and they got a lifeline on 42 minutes when Gerard Doherty capitalised on a loose pass in the Naomh Colmcille defence to sidestep a defender and fire an unstoppable shot to the net. That reduced Naomh Colmcille’s led to three points, 1-8 to 1-5, but they responded emphatically. Matthew Crossan added another point after cutting onto his left foot, and although Donnacha Gallagher responded with a free from Carn, Naomh Colmcille more or less sealed their progress to the first round with a 50th minute goal from Willie Gillespie. Crossan and Ciaran Devine were both involved in the build up with the latter hand passing across the square to the unmarked Gillespie who made no mistake from close range. Carn were chasing shadows after that. Naomh Colmcille’s half back line of Liam Atkinson, Thomas McKinley and Paul Friel mopped up almost every attack. Dominic Doherty did pull a point back for Carn, but Naomh Colmcille finished with a flourish with points from Barry O’Hagan, man-of-the-match Stephen Davenport and Ryan McErlean securing the victory. Carn had one last goal chance, but Oliver McConalogue’s shot was saved at point blank by Anthony Grant and Naomh Colmcille enjoyed a comfortable eight point victory. Naomh Colmcille’s reward for the victory is a place in the first round proper against Division 3 league leaders Naomh Mhuire. Carn’s sole focus for the remainder of the season will be preserving their Division 3 status. Carndonagh: Gerard Crossan; Ronan O’Connor, Mickey McLaughlin, Tiernan Coyne; Michael Nelson, Paddy Nelson, Dermot McGonagle; Gerard Doherty (1-2), Donnacha Gallagher (0-2, 2f); Paddy McCallion, Dominic Doherty (0-1), Dara McLaughlin; Ryan Davenport (0-1), Declan O’Donnell, Oliver McConalogue (0-1). Sub: Liam Shiels for Michael Nelson (50 mins). Naomh Colmcille: Anthony Grant; Eddie Gillespie, Alex Devenney, Mark Callaghan; Liam Atkinson, Thomas McKinley, Paul Friel; Ciaran Devine, Ryan McErlean (0-2); Matthew Crossan (0-5), Barry O’Hagan (0-1, 1f), Stephen Davenport (0-2); Ciaran Callaghan (0-1), Joe Donaghey, Willie Gillespie (1-2). Subs: Decky McDaid for W. Gillespie (56 mins); Barry McDaid for E. Gillespie (57 mins); John Fullerton for C. Callaghan (59 mins). Referee: Tony Gallagher (Red Hugh’s) Man-of-the-match Matthew Crossan hit five points from play and was a thorn in the Carn side all night, but Stephen Davenport gets the nod. Davenport, lining out at left half forward, worked hard over the hour tracking back deep into his own half and helping turn defence into attack. He had a hand in creating both Naomh Colmcille goals and was simply superb all night. Turning point Naomh Colmcille’s response to Carn’s 42nd minute goal. Gerard Doherty had found the Newtown net to cut their lead to just three points, but the response from the men in red was emphatic and they sealed the victory with a well worked 50th minute goal from Willie Gillespie who stroked the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. The whistler Tony Gallagher kept the match flowing and handled everything that came his way competently and authoritatively. In saying that, the game was played in a very sporting manner and there while some challenges were robust they were fair. Gallagher didn’t have to flash a yellow or red card all night. Where to from here? Despite losing key players from last year’s Junior Championship winning side, Naomh Colmcille seem to have improved. Their players, perhaps taking a lead from their Armagh talisman Barry O’Hagan, have clearly been working hard in the gym and their height and physical strength when allied to their footballing ability will make them dangerous opponents for anyone. That said, their focus will be more on retaining Division 3 status that winning the Intermediate Championship. On the other hand, Carn seem to have lost their way a bit and their 2009 Junior Championship winning season, when they beat all before them, seems a long time ago now. With only one victory from nine league outings, and now elimination from the championship, they already have a tough task on their hands to stay in Division 3. They need a league win – and quick. |
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