St Colmcilles minor footballers went under to Ballinora in the opening game of Rebel OG East Under 18 football league on Saturday last. The game was played in cold but beautifully sunny conditions and the immaculate Ballymaw venue near Waterfall. The story of this game was ultimately told in the second quarter of the match. The score was 0-02 to 0-01 at the 15 minute mark when the home-side went on a scoring blitz that saw them add 3-03 before half-time. A stunned St Colmcilles added one more point. At half time Ballinora held a convincing and unassailable 3-05 to 0-02 lead.
St Colmcilles made a much better fist of things in the second half and indeed won that half on a score of 2-05 to 0-06. In truth, though Ballinora were comfortable at all times and there was never a danger that the lead would have been clawed back. Colmcilles were also far too reliant to Sean Whelan for scores. He got 1-07 out of the total; all of them from frees. Eddie Coughlan’s finish from close range was the only score of the game from play for the visiting side. They will certainly look to bounce back in their next game.
Team Billy Ryan, Mark O’Keeffe, Aidan Docherty, David O’Mahony, John Barry, Ruairi Quinlan, Adam Bowen, Joe Dunphy, Eddie Coughlan (1 -00), Bobby O’Riordan, Evan Flynn, Sean Whelan (1 – 07 – all frees), Cian Ryan, Ronan Healy, James Buckley
Subs Michael Harte, Luke Mullins, Michael Mullins, Evan Quaine