St Colmcille’s won the Minor Football East Championship in great style today against local rivals Mayfield. Despite the final scoreline this was a titanic battle which was only put beyond doubt late on.
The team was dealt a big blow before the match with news that Conor Docherty, a real leader for this team, was struck down by illness. It certainly put all our team on notice that they needed to step up, but that they did in spades.
Early on St Colmcille’s were a bit hesitant and guilty of some poor decision-making in attack. Mayfield were looking threatening going forward and, after some early points were exchanged, they struck for a goal. However we worked our way into the game and points from Colin O’Brien, Billy Connolly and Harry Coughlan tied it up.
Cian Walsh, Rory McCarthy and Dylan Foley were rock solid at the back and scores dried up for both sides for awhile. Rory Teahan’s kickouts we’re starting to find the right range and target, still Mayfield pulled two points clear by the end of the first half and while you felt there was more in the lads they had to show it.
They did that in truly awesome fashion in the second half. David Dunphy was having a huge influence on the game, winning possession, setting up and finishing attacks. The incisive running of Stephen Whooley & Sean O’Donoghue, and the hard graft of Daniel Kelleher, Harry & Colin saw us take control upfront.
Tadhg O’Donoghue was a colossus all through and when he drove forward to stitch a fantastic goal to the roof of the net we were really motoring. A two point halftime deficit was transformed into a ten point lead by the water break, some turnaround!
Still the lads drove on, with Eoin O’Flynn playing a stormer at wing back and Patrick O’Leary getting on top of his man after a great tussle. Great credit to the backs for limiting our opponents to a single point in the second half. Colm Murphy needed to rise above even his high standards today, without his regular midfield partner, and not only did he deliver but he also struck for a great team goal with a cool finish.
Eoin Murphy, Ciarán O’Regan, Senan Ryan, Sean O’Donnell and Fionnán Quinlan came on to play their part too. We have been fortunate to have a great panel this year, unfortunately not everyone could get game time today, but they have all played a part in building this team.
The final whistle brought great scenes for all involved. Conor (Lazarus) Docherty stepped forward to lift the cup, a fitting moment for his immense influence in all the matches. In this strangest of years the team has been a welcome distraction for the players, families and mentors and it’s a fantastic way to finish it off. St Colmcille’s Abú
Panel: Rory Teahan, Rory McCarthy, Cian Walsh, Dylan Foley, Eoin O’Flynn, Tadhg O’Donoghue, Patrick O’Leary, Colm Murphy, Conor Docherty, Billy Connolly, David Dunphy, Harry Coughlan, Stephen Whooley, Sean O’Donoghue, Daniel Kelleher, Colin O’Brien, Eoin Murphy, Ciarán O’Regan, Senan Ryan, Sean O’Donnell, Fionnán Quinlan, Eolan Dill, Felix Murphy, David Fitzpatrick, Darragh Tattan, Sean Twomey, Michael Myers, Cian O’Brien, Aaron Wallace, Kyle Murphy, Adam Curtayne Gardiner
Mentors: Sean Coughlan, Damien Horgan, Mark Twomey, Liam Ryan, Martin O’Regan, Finbarr Pyne, Michelle Whooley