Molloy off to winning start

Comortas Peile Na Gaeltachta

Molloy off to winning start

By Frank Craig

Naomh Columba 0-10

Fanad Gaels      1-05

Donegal's All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Molloy has got his managerial tenure at Naomh Columba off to a flying start after they defeated reigning Intermediate champions Fanad Gaels in Pairc na nGael on Saturday last.

Conditions were as good as one could hope for in early March as the home side ventured out onto the field of play. And there was an air of familiarity as the big Ardara man briefed his green and gold charges prior to throw-in. The side obviously had a game plan centred around snuffing out the opposition's Seamie Friel. But on early viewing referee Pat Walsh wasn't going to be doing them any favours.

Home full-back Ciaran McBrearty undeservedly came out on the wrong end of his first two duels with the Fanad full-forward; even though the number fourteen looked to have a fist full of shirt on both occasions.

That gave the visitors an early two point lead, despite Naomh Columba passing up four scoring efforts in front of the posts. Indeed Friel would go on to post his side's entire 1-2 first half contribution. Though McBrearty admirably put the shackles on the former county panalest during the second period- and that went along way to deciding matters.

The hosts eventually opened their account on eleven minutes. A sweeping move involving Ryan McNern, Declan Maguire and Oisin McGinley was finished with the latter arcing over a sublime effort to half the early difference.

But just when it looked like the home side were back in it disaster struck. A poor effort from Aidan McAteer wide on the right feel snugly into the arms of Friel and he expertly dispatched past Shane O'Gara to give his side a 1-2 to 0-1 lead just shy of the quarter hour mark.

But word of mouth has told us that Naomh Columba have been busy these last few months. And they were intent on not letting Fanad throw a spanner in the works right at the very beginning. Buoyed by verbal 'encouragement' along the line the hosts posted three times uninterrupted to cancel out that goal in a productive four minute spell. Oisin McGinley and John Kelly reduced the deficit to two before Michael Byrne fired over a great free out on the right to leave just the minimum in it once again.  

Thirty seconds later the home side passed up a golden opportunity to spectacularly turn the tables when Declan Maguire failed to find the net after being cleverly slipped in by McGinley. But Naomh Columba did make sure of parity going in at the break when Byrne fired over his second of the contest to leave matters deadlocked on 0-5 to 1-2 at the whistle.

Byrne had an excellent opportunity to pick up where he left off seconds after the restart but he was woefully off cue from twenty five yards. And the home side had to settle for the unlikely consolation of a point moments later when it looked easier for Gavin McGinley to find the back of the net when he raced clear on goal. But on the positive side Naomh Columba did have their noses in front for the first time and that was all that mattered.

A clever free from Andrew O'Gara then presented McGinley with the chance to double that advantage and he duly delivered. McGinely then swapped efforts with Francis Sweeney. But determined scores from William McAteer and Michael Sweeney again levelled matters on a score line of 0-8 to 1-5. With eight minutes still remaining on the clock former county man Noel McGinley fed Oisin McGinley who arrowed over on the run to again edge his side in front.

And it looked like Byrne had doubled the difference two minutes from time only for it to be adjudged wide. But there was no debating his next effort after O'Gara had supplied the ammunition for the number ten to fire over the insurance point, and get his side off to an impressive start under the new regime.

Naomh Columba: Shane O'Gara; Kenneth Byrne: Ciaran McBrearty: Martin Cunningham; Clement O'Gara: Noel McGinely: David O'Donnell; Andrew O'Gara: Dermot Maguire; Michael Byrne (0-3): Gavin McGinley (0-1): Declan Maguire; Ryan McNern: Oisin McGinley (0-5): John Kelly (0-1).

Subs: Kevin Cunningham for C O'Gara (47mins).

Fanad Gaels: Oisin Blaney; Paddy Herrity: Cathal Martin: Martin Robinson; Aidan McAteer: Paddy McConigley: Franis Sweeney (0-1); Eamon Sweeney: Michael Sweeney (01); Shane McAteer: Ciaran McElwaine: William McAteer (0-1): Martin McConigley: Seamie Friel (1-2): Michael McGroarty.

Subs: Paul Coyle for W McAteer (52 mins).

Referee: Pat Walsh (Naomh Brid)