Following victory over Nemo Rangers in the hurling championship, the Under 15 footballers were in shield-final action in Castletownroche against Newmarket after only a three-day rest. A few of the starting players were carrying minor injuries into the game. The game started at a frenetic pace with Newmarket going 1-0 ahead after a mere 13 seconds. The Newmarket full-forward looked like he could do serious damage so a quick change of personnel was called for from the Colmcille’s selectors. Darragh McGuire was moved from half back to full back to stamp out the threat and this proved the foundation to a well deserved victory for the St Colmcille’s lads.

Five minutes into the game they were in front with a well taken point by Alex Flynn and a cracking goal by Darragh Cashman – at the other end Eoghan Murnane produced a double save that kept us in the game. Some brilliant defending from Charlie Callaghan, Evan Quain and Jack Harte kept our opponents at bay but a couple of sloppy moments meant that Newmarket got in for another 2 goals. Micheál Leahy stepped up to the plate and drove the lads on from centre back and a couple of goals from Oscar O’Connell and Dylan McDonnell and two left footed points from Flynn meant that at half time the score read: St Colmcilles 3-03 Newmarket 3-00

Shane Harrington came in at half time and had a big impact in the game – he broke up play in the middle and his tenacity led to another goal by Flynn. At the other end a man of the match performance by Eoghan Murnane in goal kept the opposition at bay with a number of point blank saves. Darragh Cashman who had come into the game with an injury had to leave the field and his replacement Billy Cambridge won some excellent ball and set up further scores. An absolute screamer of a goal from Sean O’Connell meant that the eventual winners were able to enjoy the last 15 minutes of this game and play some controlled football.

In this period, the score of the game came from full back Darragh McGuire. This was a real team score. McGuire won possession in the full back line, and after a full move where seven of his team-mates touched the ball, he ended up with a superb point from the 21 yard line. Billy Ryan – struggling with an injury – won a serious amount of ball from the Newmarket kickouts and stopped them from gaining any hold on the game. Jamie Murphy, Cian Dunne and Joe Arrigan were introduced and all contributed to an excellent win.