A fantastic game of football in Ballygarvan on Saturday evening 21st of October saw St. Colmcille’s withstand a late Midleton rally. This game was certainly not for the faint-hearted with both sets of players testing each other to the limit all through. They say goals win matches and when PJ O Donovan somehow stretched out his leg to steer a beautiful ball to the corner of the net this put St. Colmcille’s in a commanding position with a quarter to go. Equally a wonder strike, after a mesmerising solo run, from Harry Coughlan 15 minutes into the game helped his side into the lead early on. Both of these scores acted as great boosts at vital times.

However Midleton struck for goals too, a pair of them in the last six minutes of the game, and indeed only for a superb diving save from net-minder Rory Teahan and another last gasp clearance from Brendan Quain, the inaugural piece of silverware for this Division One Championship could well be further east tonight.

However that suggestion doesn’t do justice to a superb team performance from St. Colmcille’s. Sean Donoghue cracked a ball off the crossbar minutes in, and his pace bothered Midleton througout. Equally team captain Stephen Whooley, showed no ill-effects of the injury he was returning from – Midleton simply couldnt keep up with him all through. Billy Connolly was poweful at eleven and his clean marks from kickouts gave his side welcome respite throughout. The direct ball into Donoghue, David Dunphy and Luke Kelleher worked well although a few high balls in the second quarter were easily dealt with by the Midleton rearguard. Robert Docherty covered great ground up and down the field from his midfield berth. Ethan Ryan showed his strength with a powerful performance at centre back ably assisted by Kevin Fitzpatrick and Sean Twomey on the wings.

Behind them Rory McCarthy and Martin Murphy fought valiantly all game long, while Senan Ryan went about his business with the minimum of fuss.

Ruairí Quinlan and Aaron Ryan both made positive impacts in the final minutes, as they held up the ball with strength and resolve.

Midleton tested Colmcille’s right to the limit in this hard fought contest – some have questioned the merits of this new competition at this age and while there is an argument, as part of a bigger discussion, there for another day, it was evident both teams wanted to get their hands on the new trophy.

Well done to our St. Colmcille’s players on a great performance and to the management team of Diarmuid O Donnell, Liam Ryan and Sean Coughlan.