St. Colmcille’s U12 footballers completed their grading league campaign in emphatic fashion on Sunday with a comprehensive 5-14 to 0-3 victory over Whitechurch in Carraig na bhFear. The win sees Colmcille’s finish top of Group 4 and, on the evidence of their performances so far, they will be hoping for a place in a higher division when the league proper begins where tougher challenges are likely to await.
Whitechurch deserve huge credit for the way they started and they caused Colmcille’s plenty of problems in the opening stages. Two early points from play had the home side in front and they looked sharp and organised early on. Colmcille’s, however, gradually settled into the contest and once they found their rhythm they took control.
Zach Forde opened Colmcille’s account with two well-taken frees before Michael Looney added a fine point from play. Luke Hegarty then struck for the game’s opening goal and followed up with a point to leave Colmcille’s leading 1-5 to 0-2 at half time.
The home side came out flying after the break and quickly put the game beyond doubt. Noah Foley pointed straight from the restart before Luke Hegarty netted his second goal of the afternoon. Hegarty continued to impress and completed an excellent hat-trick later in the half. Noah Foley and RJ Whitley also raised green flags, while Michael Looney, Ben Kennefick, Darragh Quinlan, Zach Forde and substitute Darragh McSweeney all added points as Colmcille’s finished strongly.
Whitechurch battled bravely right to the final whistle and were well served by Cillian McCarthy, Noah Cunningham, Daniel Hegarty and goalkeeper Ben O’Brien.
TEAM
1 – Cillian Buckley
2 – Liam O’Donovan
3 – Ollie Roche
4 – Brody Forde
5 – Harry O Donovan
6 – Donncha Harte
7 – Ben O’Leary
8 – Zach Forde
9 – Michael Looney
10 – Luke Hegarty
11 – Noah Foley
12 – Darragh Quinlan
13 – RJ Whitley
14 – Ben Kennefick
15 – Ollie Cotter
SUBS:
Darragh McSweeney, Fionn Casey, Ryan McCarthy