Naomh Colmcille cruise past Gaels
22.09.10
Letterkenny Gaels...0-06
Naomh Colmcille...2-12
Report: Inishowen Independent
A WORKMAN-like performance by Naomh Colmcille on a
gloomy evening for football in Letterkenny was enough to
comfortably stave off the challenge of Letterkenny Gaels
in this Division Four clash on Saturday.
The Newtown side lined out with a number of reserve
players but still had way too much in the tank for a
struggling Gaels outfit who have only managed two wins
from 18 starts.
Naomh Colmcille hit the front inside a minute when
countyman Thomas McKinley put Mark Callaghan through for
a simple tap over. A minute later McKinley was again
provider, this time it was Barry O’Hagan who benefited,
firing over a point. Gaels did get on the scoreboard 15
minutes in through James McGlynn before Ryan McErlean
hit Naomh Colmcille’s third point of a dour low-scoring
half a couple of minutes later.
Having survived a deluge of rain all day Saturday, the
pitch was in reasonable nick come throw-in but it did
make good football nigh impossible – the ball skimming
off the surface like a stone across water. The
conditions also contributed to the high quota of wides
kicked at both ends. To their credit, Gael’s put it up
to Newtown in the first half but it seemed only a matter
of time before Naomh Colmcille’s constant running would
prise open the floodgates. As expected, Stephen
Davenport struck the back of the net for the visitors on
the stroke of half-time although two points from Pauric
Breslin kept the Letterkenny man in contention as they
trotted off for half-time, trailing 0-03 to 1-03.
The game had barely restarted before the impressive
Ciaran Devine kick-started the Naomh Colmcille onslaught
with a fine goal. Ryan McErlean put Devine through and
the big midfielder made no mistake from close range.
Devine added a point almost directly from the kick-out
and from there on it was all Naomh Colmcille: O’Hagan
(0-3), Davenport (0-1), Thomas McKinley (0-2), Ryan
McKinley (0-2) all contributing scores for the red and
white.
Gaels did double their first half tally – Shane Kildea
(0-1) and the impressive Pauric Breslin (0-2) the
scorers – but they had no answer whatsoever to a
strong-running Newtown outfit. Good value throughout for
their win, Naomh Colmcille slip into second spot in
Division Four – a point ahead of Muff and two clear of
both Robert Emmets and Burt in the chasing pack.
Naomh Colmcille are unrecognisable from the team that
treaded water a few years ago and their commendable
policy of sticking with youngsters over the past few
years is now paying dividends. Their attention will
return to league duty in October but next up is the much
anticipated Junior ‘A’ championship clash with
neighbours Burt next weekend. On this evidence they will
be regarded favourites for the weekend derby. |
Newtown: Marty
Callaghan; Paul McGill, Anthony Grant, Paul Friel; Mark
Callaghan (0-1), Cathal Curran, Thomas McKinley (0-2);
Richard Clarke, Ciaran Devine (1-1); Ryan McKinley
(0-2), Barry O’Hagan (0-4), Ciaran Callaghan; Ryan
McErlean (0-1), Barry McDaid, Stephen Davenport (1-1).
Subs: Marty Deveney for O’Hagan.
Letterkenny Gaels: Gerard O’Leary; Shane Kildea
(0-1), Barry Boyle, Darren Hunter; Aaron Stewart; Ciaran
Cannon, Oisin Cannon; John McGilloway, Tommy Daly;
Mickey Harte, Aaron Bradley, Pauric Breslin (0-4); Jamie
Doherty, Gerard Gibbons, James McGlynn (0-1).
For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the
Inishowen Independent. |
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