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Naomh Colmcille secure the local bragging rights 01.03.12
All County League Division 3

Naomh Colmcille...0-7

Burt...0-5


Report: Inishowen Independent.

Naomh Colmcille warmed up for their relegation play-off against Carn with a hard fought two-point victory over neighbours Burt on Saturday afternoon.
Trailing by a point at half time, Naomh Colmcille upped the ante in the second half and late points from Ciaran Callaghan and Joe Donaghey gave them victory in a typically low scoring affair.
Burt must now win against Aodh Ruadh on Sunday to qualify for a promotion play-off spot against Naomh Bríd, while Naomh Colmcille will play Carndonagh in the relegation play-off in a fortnight, with the losers demoted to Division 4 for the 2012 season.
With both teams adopting a defensive approach, scores were at a premium throughout as forwards struggled to find time and space in the packed defences.
The first half was nip and tuck, with Shane McDaid and Joe Donaghey trading early frees. Mark Callaghan nudged Naomh Colmcille ahead before McDaid equalised for Burt with a fine individual score and they moved ahead in the 24th minute when Paul McHugh played a diagonal ball into Ciaran Dowds who pointed from 20 metres.
Shane McAteer marked his Naomh Colmcille debut with a point from play, but Shane McDaid had the last word in the first half when he pointed an injury time free to put Burt 0-4 to 0-3 ahead.
The teams cancelled one another out in the third quarter, before Ciaran Callaghan, from a 43rd minute free, and Willie Gillespie pointed to put Naomh Colmcille in the lead, and that man McDaid equalised for Burt on 47 minutes.
Neither side were able to break the deadlock until a minute before the end when Willie Gillespie set up McAteer who kicked the home side ahead, and with Burt for once throwing off the shackles and going for full blooded attack, they got caught out at the back and sub Don Hegarty set up Joe Donaghey for an injury time point that ensured the win, and local bragging rights, for the home side.
N Colmcille: Aidan Friel; Paul Friel, Alex Devenney, Mark Callaghan (0-1); Anthony Grant, Gerard Curran, Eddie Gillespie; Andrew Clarke, Shane McAteer (0-2); Joe Donaghey (0-2, 1f), Ryan McKinley, Mark Dowds; Willie Gillespie (0-1), Ryan McErlean, Ciaran Callaghan (0-1, 1f). Subs: Don Hegarty for M. Dowds.

Burt: Kevin McDermott; Kevin Glenn, Mark McGavigan, Johnny Downey; Paul McHugh, Martin Donaghey, Seamie O’Donnell; Ciaran Dowds, Stephen Gillespie; Rory Grant, Mickey McCann, Mickey Gallagher; Joe Boyle, Michael McHugh, Shane McDaid. Subs: Paddy McDermott for M. Gallagher; Shaun Murphy for M. McHugh.

Referee: Don Langan.

Man of the match
Shane McDaid was pick of the bunch for Burt, while Joe Donaghey was always a threat up front for the Naomh Colmcille side. But with two points from midfield, and a fine all round display, former Fanad player Shane McAteer gets the nod.

Man in the middle
Don Langan kept good control of the game, allowing play to flow and keeping his yellow and red cards in his pocket for the most part.

What’s next?
A must win match away to Aodh Ruadh on Sunday for Burt where only victory will be enough to secure a promotion play-off spot v Naomh Bríd. Naomh Colmcille will face Carn in the relegation play-off and hope to avoid the drop to Division 4.

For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent.
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