In their opening football championship encounter, our Minors had an impressive victory over Glenville in very wet conditions at Carraig Na Bhfear pitch on Wednesday night last (29th of July). Playing with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening half, St. Colmcille’s got off to a solid start, with attack-minded centre-back Tadhg O’Donoghue converting two frees, that were of his own making. These were soon followed by two more from play by towering full-forward Daniel Kelleher. The same player could have got the first goal of the game shortly after. However, his shot was saved having received a pass from Colm Murphy following his run through the heart of the Glenville defence. Glenville did respond with two points, one from a free and another from play, to show they were up for the challenge.

Conor Docherty replied with another St. Colmcille’s point after making a magnificent catch in open play. Glenville replied once again to make it 0-5 to 0-3. O’Donoghue drove forward once again and ended up tacking on another pointed free. Stephen Whooley collected a great ball out on the side-line, turned and headed for goal. Unselfishly he laid the ball off for Harry Coughlan who saw his effort at goal again superbly saved. Coughlan, however, shortly afterwards set up corner-forward Colin O’Brien who had a fine point from play and Kelleher fired over another soon after to make the score at 0-8 to 0-3 at half time.

Glenville would have felt this game was still very much in the melting pot, as they would be assisted by the strong wind in the second period. However St. Colmcille’s blew up a hurricane of their own early on in the second half – Docherty had a great score, followed by a second from centre forward Harry Coughlan after turning over Glenville possession through hard-graft. Sean O’Donoghue pointed a free, after a really good catch from the dominant Colm Murphy. Indeed Murphy and his midfield counterpart Docherty were totally dominant throughout this encounter, and were the launch-pad for this win, supported in the centre diamond by Donoghue at 6 and Coughlan at 11. Indeed both of our midfielders were next to score to leave Colmcille’s in a very commanding lead – 0-13 to 0-3. Glenville got their second half tally off the mark soon after, but wing-forward Stephen Whooley matched that score with a pointed free, after a searing run from him saw his Glenville marker black-carded by referee Dave Daly.

In the final quarter Glenville scored the game’s only goal after an expertly struck penalty kick gave Rory Teahan no chance in goal. However St. Colmcille’s closed out the game impressively with Docherty, Sean O’Donoghue, Tadgh O’Donoghue (free) and O’Brien all firing over to leave the final scoreline reading St. Colmcille’s 0-18 Glenville 1-4.