St Colmcille’s moved to within touching distance of the Rebel Óg North Under 18 Football Championship final after a hard-fought 1-08 to 1-06 victory over Mitchelstown in Carraig na bhFear on Wednesday evening.
In a game played under fading light, and eventually completed under the floodlights, Colmcille’s showed tremendous character to secure a two-point victory despite being reduced to 14 men for the final quarter.
Mitchelstown made the brighter start and almost had a dream opening inside the first two minutes. Midfielder Jack Hanrahan burst through the Colmcille’s defence and looked certain to find the net, but goalkeeper Carthach Kelleher produced an outstanding save to keep the visitors at bay.
Mitchelstown did take the lead through an Eoin English free, but Colmcille’s gradually settled and began to create opportunities. Alex Flynn and Cathal Geaney got on the scoresheet before Charlie Horgan added another point, while Fachtna Kelleher converted a penalty in the closing stages of the half.
That left Colmcille’s 1-03 to 0-04 ahead at the interval, with Mitchelstown having been competitive throughout though their goalkeeper Jack Moher produced an excellent save from Charlie Horgan just before half-time.
Colmcille’s extended their advantage early in the second half when Alex Sheehan pointed from play, followed by a Fachtna Kelleher free. However, the game changed dramatically shortly afterwards when Mitchelstown’s Jake Farrissey found the net to reduce the deficit to a single point.
Colmcille’s were then dealt another blow when Alex Sheehan received a second yellow card and was dismissed, leaving the home side to defend their lead with 14 players.
The response was excellent. Alex Flynn converted a 45 before adding another point from play, while Fachtna Kelleher also split the posts as Colmcille’s continued to find scores despite the numerical disadvantage.
Mitchelstown refused to give up and points from Jack Hanrahan and Michael O’Brien kept the pressure on, but Colmcille’s defended resolutely in the closing stages.
Goalkeeper Carthach Kelleher was again crucial when required, while the defensive effort in front of him where Oisin Arrigan was outsanding ensured that Mitchelstown could not find the goal they needed to turn the game around.
When the final whistle sounded under the Carraig na bhFear floodlights, Colmcille’s had secured a valuable 1-08 to 1-06 victory.
The result leaves Colmcille’s with everything to play for in their final group game against Fermoy on Wednesday, September 9th. With both sides battling for a place in the championship final, that game now promises to be a winner-takes-all contest.
St Colmcille’s
1 – Carthach Kelleher
2 – Oisin Arrigan
3 – Jack Harte
4 – Cillian Manley
5 – Alan Murphy
6 – Alex Flynn (0-03, 1 45)
7 – Ciarán Ryan
8 – Tom O’Sullivan
9 – Charlie Horgan (0-01)
10 – Jamie Murphy
11 – Cian Dunne
12 – Daire MacGuire
13 – Fachtna Kelleher (1-02, 0-01 free, 1-00 penalty)
14 – Alex Sheehan (0-01)
15 – Cathal Geaney (0-01)
SUBS USED: Evan O’Leary, Tadgh Harden, Josh Varley
Mitchelstown
1 – Jack Moher
2 – Jason Holland
3 – Anthony Ahern
4 – Cormac Hoye
5 – Brian Walsh (0-01)
6 – Jack Sheehy
7 – Oden Van Der Werff
8 – Aaron Walsh
9 – Jack Hanrahan (0-01)
10 – James Walsh
11 – Eoin English (0-02 , 2 frees)
12 – Oisin Maher
13 – Xavier Motherway
14 – Michael O’Brien (0-02)
15 – Jake Farrissey (1-00)