Dunedin Connolly’s (Edinburgh) 2-6
Naomh Colmcille (Donegal) 1-10
DONEGAL’S NAOMH COLMCILLE have booked their All-Ireland junior semi-final spot following a one-point win over Dunedin Connolly’s in Edinburgh.
After winning their first-ever Ulster junior title this year, they now face Cork’s Knocknagree in the last four in January.
All-Britain kingpins Dunedin meanwhile, failed to reach the stage of the competition they did last season where they were beaten by Tyrone’s The Rock.
Edinburgh played host to a tight, balanced game which came right down to the wire before the Donegal champions edged the win at the death, Daniel Clarke’s free-kick the fatal blow.
It was Dunedin who drew first blood through Damien Keane before Clarke pulled the visitors level with 10 minutes on the clock.
The first half continued in a low-scoring fashion, the Edinburgh outfit leading 0-4 to 0-3 at the break.
On the restart Naomh Colmcille found the back of the net, Ryan McErlean with the finish before Dundedin bagged one of their own moments later to tie the game at 1-4 a-piece.
The lead switched between the sides as the clock ran down, but the excitement well and truly took over with two minutes remaining.
Dunedin hit their second goal to level the game, but Naomh Colmcille had enough in the tank to edge into the lead once again and ultimately win the game.
McErlean crucially split the posts before the home side fought back once again.
But it was Clarke’s vital free which sealed the win at the end of the day, just one point between the sides at the end.
The teams for @Naomh_Colmcille v Dunedin Connolly's All Ireland JFC quarter final pic.twitter.com/gExuN2nJ1j
— Official Donegal GAA (@officialdonegal) December 9, 2017
Confirmation of Naomh Colmcille’s next clash against Knocknagree completes the All-Ireland junior club semi final line-up.
Mayo’s Lahardane and Westmeath’s Multyfarnham also go head-to-head in January.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):