Naomh Columba showed their strength to move into the Intermediate Football Championship semi-final by defeating Naomh Bríd at the Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park
Naomh Columba 0-21 v Naomh Brid 1-6
A top class display from Aaron Doherty was the highlight for an impressive Naomh Columba side against a gritty but outgunned Naomh Bríd at a rainy Fintra.
The Glen men, who have ex Fermanagh star Shane Lyons working with ten of their Dublin-based squad, were never out of control of the game.
Once again, Aaron Doherty was most impressive finishing with a tally of 0-8.
But he had stellar support from centre-back Eric Carr who was man of the match.
Veteran Michael McGuire (38) belies his age and seemed to revel in the treacherous conditions, and got on the ball a lot, while centre forward Ryan Gillespie struck some fine points.
For Naomh Bríd the returning John McNulty battled like a Trojan throughout while Callum Gallagher had his moments, but they badly missed his brother Ross as their stretched defence repeatedly struggled to deal with a lively Glen attack
The winners dominated midfield, won the majority of the breaking ball and full forward Christopher Byrne was able to claim and score marks all too easily.
They were well worth their half time lead of 0-9 to 0-2.
Glen were quickly into their stride and had a point after just 38 seconds when a Doherty free fell for Lanty Molloy and he hooked over a fine point.
That set the pattern for the first half.
Doherty then had a chance of a goal but his screaming shot flew over the Naomh Bríd bar and Ryan Gillespie put Glen into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead.
Further points from Doherty and two marks for Christopher Byrne pushed them to a 0-6 to 0-0 lead by the15th minute.
Naomh Brid got off the mark just before the first water break when Callum Gallagher landed a 45.
But it did not really get any better for the south Donegal boys on the resumption as further points from Doherty, Molloy and Carr pushed Naomh Columba to a 0-9 to 0-2 lead-the second Naomh Brid point coming from Gallagher’s free kick.
Glen ran their bench on the resumption and Liam Boyle, a half time sub for Kenneth Byrne increased Naomh Columba’s lead with a shot that flew over via the cross bar.
The inevitable Doherty and Gearoid Gallagher swapped points.
But then Naomh Bríd struck for the only goal of the game when the hard-working McNulty found himself in space.
His dipping shot crept in over Paddy Byrne’s head, via the crossbar and nestled in the net.
But Gillespie replied for Glen who led by 0-15 to 1-6 by the second water break.
Naomh Bríd managed a solitary point in the final quarter while Glen kicked on to score 0-6.
Another sub, David O’Donnell also got in on the scoring act, as Glen cruised to an impressive win
Naomh Columba: Paddy Byrne; Pauric Cunningham,Barry Carr, Pauric Hegarty; Pauric Ward, Eric Carr (0-1), Michael McGuire; Kevin McNern, Finn Gallagher; Aaron Doherty (0-83f) Ryan Gillespie (0-4), Ryan McNern; Paul O’Hare, Christopher Byrne (0-2,marks) Lanty Molloy (0-2f)
Subs Liam Boyle (0-2) for Christopher Byrne (h-time), David O’Donnell (0-1) for Ryan McNern (40), Ronan Gillespie (0-1) for Pauric Cunningham (56), Declan McGuire for Finn Gallagher (57), Aidan McGinley for Michael McGuire (63)
Naomh Brid: Pauric McDaid; Richard Walsh, Sean Gormley, Michael Gallagher; Liam Duffy, Eoin McGarrigle, Eoin Quinn; Tommy Gallagher, Callum Gallagher (0-3f; Ryan Brogan, Darragh Brogan, John McNulty (!-1); Declan McCafferty Gearoid Gallagher (0-1) Eoin Rushe (0-1f) Subsl Gary McCafferty for Eoin McGarrigle (33),
Referee
Connie Doherty (Naomh Conaill)
