The under 17 hurling team were the first club side into competitive action when they made the short journey up the road to play Whitechurch on Sunday morning last for the opening round of the Rebel Og East Under 17 hurling league. Credit must go to the home side for a having a pitch available in such good condition considering all the bad weather that we have had of late. On this particular occasion the rain held off ,though the wind was a big factor on the day. St. Colmcilles had the elements in their favour in the first half. It was important therefore to make a good start. Though Eddie Coughan hit his first free wide in the opening minute, it did not take long after that for Cian Ryan to get the opening score of the game when he fired over from play. Eddie Coughlan added a point from play and from a free before Whitechurch opened their account with a score from a placed ball in the 9th minute. Eddie Coughlan also dominated the scoring for the next 10 minutes as he added a further three points. Billy Ryan, who had a good game at center forward, also chipped in with a point from a free. Whitehchurch got their second point of the half on the 21st minute – their only score from play in the opening half hour. Coughlan’s midfield partner , Sean Whelan, got in on the scoring when he added two points in one minute when we tapped over in the 23rd minute. Whelan was also instrumental in the build up to the goal that was finished, from close range, by full-forward Ronan Healy. This score gave Colmcilles a commanding half-time lead of 1-11 to 0-03.
The strength of the gale meant that Whitechurch were always going to come into it after the restart. However, it was Colmcilles that dominated the opening exchanges and had all the early chances. They did not convert any of these and it was the home side that got the opening score of the half when they converted a free in the 8th minute. Over the next 10 minutes they would add another four points. This could have been more had it not been for the performances of John Barry wearing number 4 and the commanding Ruairi Quinlan at center back. Micheál Murphy got an important score for St Colmcilles in the 19th minute to ease the pressure on his side. The next score was crucial and set up a cracking finale as Whitechurch raised a green flag. They also added three of the next four points (Evan Flynn getting the Colmcille’s point) as the gap was narrowed to two points in the 26th minute. Colmcille’s rallied though and Eddie Coughlan got another fine point from play. Cian Ryan, who had opened the scoring, would have the final say on the scoring front as he got a fine goal from distance to seal the win for his side.
Team: Adam O’Halloran, Mark O’Keeffe, Joe Dunphy, John Barry, Robert Sheehan, Ruairi Quinlan, Evan Flynn, Eddie Coughlan, Sean Whelan, Micheal Murphy, Billy Ryan, Cian Ryan, Riain Harden, Ronan Healy, Michael Harte