Naomh Columba 2-10 v 1-10 Malin
By Charlie Collins
These teams had already faced each other in the Group stages in Glen, Naomh Columba winning by just one point in a very good contest. Malin were attempting to reach another final after losing narrowly to Downings in last year’s decider.
The Glen men started well with a Paul O Hare point followed quickly by a Paddy Bryne fisted goal. Malin hit back with three points in a row from Benny McLaughlin, Conor O Neill and Josh Conlon, 1-01 to 0-03.
Christopher Bryne and Benny McLaughlin exchanged points before points by O Hare and Byrne put Glen three ahead,1-04 to 0-04. Aaron Doherty had a good goal chance when Ronan O Hare set him up but Doherty’s shot flashed just wide. Shane Callaghan’s point made it a four point lead for Naomh Columba but Benny McLaughlin had the final word of the first-half with his third and Malin’s fifth point to leave it 1-05 to 0-05 to Glen at half-time.
Naomh Columba started the second-half as they had the first , a point from Ryan McNern was matched by one from Benny McLaughlin to which McNern replied with a goal, fisting the ball home from close range, 2-06 to 0-06. Christy McLaughlin and Aaron Doherty exchanged points then Malin took over with points from Conor and Sean O Neill followed by a goal by sub Stephen McLaughlin and a Zach Conlon point to level the game, 2-07 to 1-10 and anybody’s game.
But it was Naomh Columba who lifted themselves with the last three points from sub Michael Callaghan , Shane Callaghan and Aaron Doherty to win by three, 2-10 to 1-10 and book a final date with Termon.
Malin: Zach Conlon (0-01), Taylor Bonner, Ciaran Doherty, Sean Byrne, Damian Harkin, Oisin McGonagle, Paul McLaughlin, John G McLaughlin, Christopher McLaughlin (0-01), Darragh Douglas, Sean O’Neill (0-01), Seamus Houghton , Brendan McLaughlin (0-04), Conor O’Neill (0-01), Josh Conlon (0-01). Subs used: Daniel Houghton, Stephen McLaughlin (1-00), Terence Doherty, Ciaran O Kane, Conor McGeoghegan.
Naomh Columba: Shane O Gara, Barry Carr, Pauric Ward, Paul O Hare (0-02), Stephen Callaghan, Eric Carr, Pauric Hegarty, Padraig Byrne (1-01), Declan McGuire, Darragh Cunningham, Aaron Doherty (0-02), Ryan McNern (1-01), Shane Callaghan (0-02), Christopher Byrne (0-01), Ronan O Hare. Subs used: Lanty Molloy, Kevin McNern, Micheal Callaghan (0-01). Referee: Cathal Boland (Ardara).
