Newtown set up promotion rematch 25.11.10
All County League Division 4

Naomh Colmcille...1-8 Burt...0-9 by Damian Dowds, Inishowen Independent (Photos: Herbie Barr) TWO hundred and forty six days passed from when the league started on the last weekend of March and last Sunday, but it will be another week yet before Burt and Naomh Colmcille wrap up. In the last regular adult league match of 2010, Naomh Colmcille’s two point win ensured that they – and not Muff – will meet Burt in the Division 4 promotion play-off. Defeat for Newtown would have ended their season, while a draw would have forced a play-off with Muff to decide who would meet Burt in the promotion play-off.

But from the moment that Matthew Crossan scored a second half goal, Newtown never really looked in danger of losing and having beaten their neighbours in the championship semi-final and again on Sunday, they must have high hopes of adding promotion to Division 3 to their County Junior title and seal the club’s most successful ever season. Although the sod underfoot was soft, bright November sunshine and the absence of any breeze made for fine playing conditions. However, in a first half pock marked by fussy refereeing and the unnecessary flashing of yellow cards, both teams were slow to get into their rhythm. Joe Boyle from a free and Enda McDermott pointed to give Burt and early lead, but Ryan McKinley punched a point and Joe Donaghey had the assistance of the right hand post to restore parity by the 19th minute of a scrappy opening period. Mark Callaghan from play and an O’Hagan free

had Newtown two clear soon after, but a Ciaran Dowds point from off the ground and a Joe Boyle free saw the sides enter the half-time break tied at 0-4 apiece. Brothers Enda and Paddy McDermott had Burt two clear early in the second half but Matthew Crossan scored the all important goal on 37 minutes. Thomas McKinley’s long ball in looked to be going over the bar, but ’keeper Ciaran McDermott reached high to prevent the point only to spill the ball into the path of Matthew Crossan who finished to the back of the net from close range.

Goals are a vital commodity in winter football, and although Burt restored parity twice afterwards, the momentum provided by the goal, combined with the influence of half time sub Richard Clarke at midfield, meant Naomh Colmcille were on top for the rest of the game. Paddy McDermott converted two further frees from the right wing, but those were cancelled out by two O’Hagan frees. Matthew Crossan scored the best point of the game ten minutes from full time to push his team two clear and Ryan McErlean burst through from midfield to put three points between the teams with 57 minutes played. Burt went desperately in search of a goal but Newtown packed their defence and the visitors just could not find a way through.

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