Our minor footballers survived a late scare to secure their first brace of points in the minor (under 18) football league on Saturday last in the Glen Field. Only for an outstanding team goal – a goal that would grace any venue – half way through the second half, Colmcilles could have let the game slip having been in such a commanding position earlier in the game.
St Nicks got the opening score of the game before Michael Harte scored a goal from close range and a point from a Sean Whelan free put Colmcilles into a 1-01 to 0-01 lead after 5 minutes. Then came a lull in the game as there was no score for the next 18 minutes. There was plenty of endeavour from both sides going forward but the backs were on top. For Colmcille’s Michael and Luke Mullins and David O’Mahony were in top form. Michael Harte broke the stalemate when he got another goal to leave 6 between the sides on the 23rd minute. This score precipitated a rush of scores as Eddie Coughlan, Evan Flynn and Sean Whelan all kicked points before the latter slalomed through the Nicks rearguard untouched and finished high into the net for his side’s third goal. A dazed St Nicks now trailed 3-04 to 0-02 at half time.
The opening 10 minutes of the second half gave no indication that a comeback was on. Though Nicks added three points, Eddie Coughlan, Sean Whelan and Evan Flynn all scored from play to keep the gap as it was. Even when St Nicks got their first goal on 12 minutes, it did not kickstart the come back. Though they tacked on some points , Adam Bowen and Evan Flynn replied with 2 more points from play. In the 21st minute, Colmcilles backs won the ball near their own goal and in a sweeping, running move the players passed the ball with players in constant support on the shoulder before Eddie Coughlan dispatched to the net for a great goal. This was to be the last score of the game for his side.
Ciaran Kelleher, moved from midfield to full-forward for St Nicks and he created havoc for the Colmcille’s rearguard. In the last 10 minutes he was central to a glut of scores for the home side as they made a very late burst for victory. From a position where Colmcilles were extremely comfortable after 50 minutes, they spend a nervous final few minutes clinging to the victory. The result was certainly deserved though I can’t imagine the management team will be happy with the manner in which they nearly let the game slip.
Team Billy Ryan, Michael Mullins, Joe Dunphy, Luke Mullins, John Barry, Ruairi Quinlan, David O’Mahony, Adam Bowen, Eddie Coughlan, Bobby O’Riordan, Sean Whelan, Ronan Healy, Michael Harte, Evan O’Flynn, Cian Murphy: Subs used: Evan Quaine, James Buckley