Naomh Colmcille and Naomh Pádraig Lifford shared the points on Saturday at Páirc Cholmcille with the game finishing up 0-15 to 2-09 after a strong Lifford comeback in the second half that made for a nail-biting last few minutes to an entertaining game.
The first quarter was an even affair: Lifford were first off the mark and the teams exchanged scores, with Mark Dowds scoring once from a free and once from play, and Ciaran Callaghan splitting the posts when he stepped inside onto his left foot after a strong run down the right.
The home side dominated the second quarter however, winning a lot of ball in the centre and quickly feeding the forward line, who notched up a series of well worked points, including a few great long range efforts from Mark Callaghan, Joe Donaghey and Thomas McKinley. Conor Grant added a well-taken point from the centre after good work by Eddie Gillespie. Naomh Colmcille were using the breeze at their backs to good effect, putting the Lifford backline under pressure at every opportunity.
Naomh Colmcille were totally dominating at this stage, and kept Lifford scoreless for the almost the entire second quarter, restricting them to a late point. Thomas McKinley had the last say in the first half, when he split the posts after being set up by Conor Grant.
So at the break, Naomh Colmcille led by 0-11 to 0-04.
Trailing by seven points, Lifford needed to score early in the second half and that’s exactly what they did. A high ball into the square was punched away by Aiden Friel in goal for Naomh Colmcille, but the Lifford forwards were first to react and fisted the ball into the back of the net to get their side back into the game.
Lifford were spurred on by the goal and although Joe Donaghey replied with a point, Lifford found the back of the net again a few minutes later when an initial effort cannoned off the upright, only to fall into the path of an onrushing forward who made no mistake from close range.
The final quarter of the game was nip and tuck, with nothing between the sides. The teams exchanged points, with Don Hegarty and Thomas McKinley scoring for Naomh Colmcille, but the home side also registered a handful of wides and hit the posts twice.
Naomh Colmcille had a one point lead as normal time came to an end, but with quite a few stoppages in the second half, the referee added 5 minutes of injury time, during which a high ball into the square by Lifford was allowed to bounce over the bar to level the scores. As the seconds ticked down both sides pressed for a winner, but it was not to be, and the scores ended 0-15 to 2-09.
Naomh Colmcille may regret not continuing their first half form in the second period, but Lifford did well to pull the scores back and the two goals had a crucial effect on the outcome. However, a local derby against Lifford is always a tough game and Naomh Colmcille’s unbeaten run this year remains intact.
Naomh Colmcille: Aiden Friel, Pauric Carberry, Alex Devenney, John Fullerton, Mark Callaghan (0-01), Paul Friel, William Lynch, Ryan McKinley, Shane McAteer, Ciaran Callaghan (0-01), Eddie Gillespie, Don Hegarty (0-01), Conor Grant (0-01), Thomas McKinley (0-06), Mark Dowds (0-02). Subs: Joe Donaghey (0-03), Stephen Davenport
Thanks to everyone who helped on the club’s recent Scrap Saturday, both to the people who gave their scrap to the club, and the club members who helped on the days.
Naomh Colmcille Training Schedule this week is as follows:
Under 8’s: Our next U8 Go games blitz is on next Saturday (2nd June) in Buncrana at 11.
Can all players please meet at the clubhouse in Páirc Colmcille for10:15 am to travel to Buncrana by car. Please bring packed lunch and plain drink.
Under 10’s training: will be on Friday the 1st of June at 6 pm at Páirc Colmcille. Can all players please bring €2, boots, shorts /track bottoms and a drink. The u10s enjoyed a great first Go Games blitz at Buncrana last Saturday.
Under 12’s: match on Monday the 28th of May at 6:30 pm at Páirc Colmcille. Players to be at the pitch for 6:00. Can all players please bring boots, shorts /track bottoms and a drink.
Under 14’s training: will be on Friday the 1st of June at 7:00pm at Páirc Colmcille (check Facebook / website for latest update)
Under 16’s training: check Facebook / website for latest update
Under 18’s training: check Facebook / website for latest update
Senior training will continue this week as per notification via TEXT from Senior Manager Joe Higgins
Gaelic for Girls training: will be on Friday the 1st of June at the later time of 6pm at Páirc Colmcille. Bring boots and runners and €2 subs. Fifty girls received their jerseys on Friday to mark the completion of the initial trial period of the Gaelic for Girls scheme – well done to all concerned.
New players are always welcome!!
Note: all updates about training and match fixtures will be on the Club’s website (www.naomhcolmcille.com) and Facebook page (Naomh Colmcille GAA.)
Naomh Colmcille lotto numbers: lotto numbers this week are 7.5.6.3.1.4.2. Congratulations to Gerry Campbell, Altaghaderry, Killea who had the most-correct winning sequence of 7.5.6. The Club would like to take the opportunity to Thank Everyone for their continued support of the Lotto as it gives the Club the essential means of continuing to give our local Kids and Adults the chance to avail of a great and healthy pass time.
The Club are also registered for Tesco (Ireland) for schools and Clubs voucher scheme which is now up and running for 2012; this will allow the Club to avail of much needed extra Kit and equipment for our young members of the Club.
Sainsbury’s vouchers should be returned as soon as possible so that they can be counted up and sent away for the relevant equipment.
The club is now registered for a ‘Lucozade sport promotion’ where we could get either €10,000 if we collect the most bottle caps, or entered into a draw for €5,000 if we collect over 500 caps, so start collecting your bottle caps now!’
Naomh Colmcille would greatly appreciate if everyone in the local community and beyond could start collecting these vouchers and Tokens on behalf of the Club as it would mean a great deal to our local youth and bring much needed equipment to aid the development of our underage teams.
Tokens can be given to any Club member, player, and coach or committee member.
Lord and Lady of Naomh Colmcille will be held on Saturday 4th August in the Clanree Hotel. Pre orders for Tickets are currently being accepted; please contact Alison Ferry, Sharon Clarke or any team coach / committee member.
The organising committee will be contacting local businesses soon offering a range of sponsorship options which offer various levels of promotion both at the live event and in accompanying promotional literature, please contact Sharon Clarke or Alison Ferry for further details.
Although the Donegal minor team were defeated by Derry at the weekend, the club would like to congratulate Willie Gillespie for his involvement and performances with the team.
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