Naomh Columba 0-11 Aodh Ruadh 0-11
(Damian Carr in Páirc na nGael)
Naomh Columba fought back from a 7 points to 2 half time deficit to take a share of the spoils in a nail bitting finish in Páirc na nGael this afternoon. The Ballyshannon men got of to a flying start through the boot of Nathan Boyle who hit three points – one free, a 45 and a score from open play in the first 8 minutes. Ryan Gillespie popped over a fine score to get the scoreoard moving for the home side but back came Aodh Ruadh with four more unanswered points, two each from Nathan Boyle and Shane McGrath. Half back Pauric Ward registered Naomh Columba’s second point on stroke of half time. Leath ama, 0-7 to 0-2.
Points were exchanged between Padraig Byrne and Daniel Warnock before Naomh Columba took control from the inspired Michael McGuire driving forward as Pauric Ward, Ryan Gillespie (2) and a Padraig Byrne free got it back to the bare minimum. Aodh Ruadh refused to buckle with points from Diarmuid McInerney and a fisted effort from full forward Darren Drummond. Pauric Ward got his 3rd point from play with 6 minutes left but with time running out Nathan Boyle looked to have secured the points for the visitors from a free for his 6th point of the afternoon.
Naomh Columba rescued the tie though , their next attack yielding a 45 which Paddy Byrne converted as normal time ran out. A minute into added time a free from the same player dropped short but was won by Christopher Byrne who fisted to Gavin McGinley and he made no mistake to level the contest 11 points each Aodh Ruadh had a chance from a free but Peter Boyle’s effort just drifted wide as the final whistle sounded. This was the Glen side’s first league point of the campaign and they will be aiming to build on this recovery to get their season back on track.
The Reserve match also ended in a draw – Naomh Columba 2-12 Aodh Ruadh 3-9.
Naomh Columba: Shane O Gara, Philip McNern, Phillip Doherty, Barry Carr, Pauric Ward (0-3), Michael McGuire, Stephen Jones, Padraig Byrne (0-3, 1-45), Fionn Gallagher, Ryan McNern, Declan McGuire, Ryan Gillespie (0-3, 2f) Ronan Gillespie (0-1), Pauric O Neill, Kieran McBrearty. Subs Used Gavin McGinley (0-1) for D McGuire Martin Cunningham for S Jones Christopher Byrne for P O Neill
Aodh Ruadh: Peter Boyle, Calum O Halloran, Colm , Michael Ward, Daniel Warnock (0-1), Johnny Gallagher, Johnny Gethins, Cian , Eammon McGrath, Diarmuid McInerney (0-1), Niall Murray, Nathan Boyle (0-6, 3f, 1-45) Michael McKenna, Darren Drummond (0-1), Shane McGrath (0-2). Subs used Patrick Gillespie for Niall Murray
Referee Marc Brown (Four Masters)
The Marley Travel Division 2 tables currently are as follows:
Marley Travel Division 2
| TEAM | PLD | WON | DRAW | LOST | FOR | AGAINST | DIFF | POINTS |
| CLG Na Cealla Beaga | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 113 | 68 | 45 | 12 |
| Ardara | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 95 | 74 | 21 | 8 |
| CLG Naomh Náille | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 78 | 72 | 6 | 8 |
| Gleann Fhinne | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 83 | 86 | -3 | 6 |
| Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 72 | 64 | 8 | 5 |
| CLG An Tearmainn | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 60 | 64 | -4 | 4 |
| Four Masters | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 74 | 84 | -10 | 4 |
| An Clochán Liath | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 61 | 71 | -10 | 4 |
| CLG Bun Cranncha | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 55 | 96 | -41 | 2 |
| Naomh Columba | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 49 | 61 | -12 | 1 |
Marley Travel Division 2 Reserve
| TEAM | PLD | WON | DRAW | LOST | FOR | AGAINST | DIFF | POINTS |
| CLG Na Cealla Beaga | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 83 | 72 | 11 | 10 |
| Gleann Fhinne | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 87 | 51 | 36 | 9 |
| An Clochán Liath | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 73 | 61 | 12 | 6 |
| Four Masters | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 82 | 72 | 10 | 6 |
| CLG Naomh Náille | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 53 | 78 | -25 | 5 |
| Naomh Columba | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 59 | 45 | 14 | 4 |
| Ardara | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 97 | 97 | 0 | 4 |
| Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 72 | 79 | -7 | 4 |
| CLG An Tearmainn | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 50 | 75 | -25 | 2 |
| CLG Bun Cranncha | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 66 | 92 | -26 | 2 |
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Sun 12th May
