Posted online: Jul 1st, 2009

GAA – Donegal League County Division Four

Naomh Colmcille 0-09 Milford 0-07

Naomh Colmcille recorded a significant victory at Parc Colmcille on Sunday afternoon.

The Inish side overcame high flying Milford in a victory which could prove pivitol to their league season.

Leading by two points at half time, the hosts successfully defended that advantage in the second period by matching their hosts in a high intensity encounter.

Colmcille came into the game on the back of a losing sequence that stretched back to March but they began the game with purpose with Ryan McErlean opening the scoring and followed it up with scores from Liam Grant and the impressive Gary Crossan.

The Newtown side looked to be heading into the break with a deserved 0-6 to 0-3 lead with Milford’s scores all coming from frees but a late score from play for the visitors reduced the deficit to two points at the interval.

The high tempo of the game continued in the second half with Colmcille defending their lead by going on the offensive and Gary Crossan restored their three point advantage with a well struck 25 metre free before stretching it to four points with a high looping point from the left side.

Milford went in search of the goal that would get them back into the game and half forward Tippy Barrett was denied it by a brilliant point blank save from Paul Callaghan in the Colmcille goal.

The visitors did start to chip away at Colmcille’s advantage with points from Niall Keenan and Mark Flood.

But despite Milford’s best efforts to build up a head of steam to turn the game in their favour, the hosts refused to allow them to take the game to them. 

Milford’s frustration began to boil over and they began to concede more and more frees for late challenges.

From one such tackle, Colmcille half back Gerard Curran was upended 20 metres out following a brilliant phase of possession and Crossan drilled over the subsequent free for a three point lead.

That was to prove Curran’s last action of the game as he had to retire with concussion. 

Despite being reduced to 14 men, Milford refused to lie down in the final ten minutes and forward Niall Keenan reduced the deficit to two points with a free from his hands. 

As tensions threatened to boil over in the closing minutes Milford were reduced to 13 men when midfielder Padraig Curley was sent off for striking a Colmcille player.

Milford threw everything into attack in the dying moments in search of the goal that would give them the lead and Colmcille had Diesel McDaid to thank for a brilliant block to deny Milford’s Hugo Hagan from point blank range.

Moments later the final whistle sounded sparking scenes of celebration from the passionate Parc Colmcille support who will hope that this victory proves to be a turning point in what has been a testing season.

NAOMH COLMCILLE: Paul Callaghan, Anthony Grant, Gerard McDaid, PJ McGrath, Declan McDaid, Alex Devenney, Gerard Curran, Richard Clarke, Ciaran Devine, Eddie Gillespie, Liam Grant, Gary Crossan, Paul Friel, Marty Callaghan, Ryan McErlean, Paul McGill, Andrew Clarke.

MILFORD: Ciaran McGettigan, Aidan Sweeney, Patrick Peoples Enda McHugh, Mark Anderson, SP Barret, Paul Sweeney, David Curley, Padraig Curley Chris Bradley, Tippy Barett, Niall Keenan, Mark Flood, Hugo Hagan.

REFEREE: John Joe Doherty