A really novel format to the Under 21 football championship in Imokilly this year sees both the A and B championships combined into one. The competition is being run on a straight knock-out basis up to the semi-final stage. The winners of the semi-finals will play the A grade final, while the losers will contest the B final. Owing to the 11 teams participating and the seeding involved, St. Colmcille’s will now have to play a second round game against Glenville (victors over Midleton last Sunday morning), with the winners of that local derby qualifying to play Cobh in a quarter final.
St Colmcilles certainly will not be looking beyond the contest versus Glenville and they consider themselves to be lucky to be still in the championship after last Sunday’s entertaining first round encounter versus Youghal at home in Carraig Na Bhfear.
St. Colcmille’s captain Rory McCarthy, having won the toss, opted to play against the strong wind in the opening half. For the first quarter this worked really well as playing the short passing game suited our lads with Robert Docherty and Adam Bowen getting an early edge at midfield. Number 11 Billy Connolly opened the scoring after 5 minutes but there was no further score until 17 minutes in as we struggled to translate our early dominance on the scoreboard. On a rare Youghal attack a mistake in defence led to a penalty – the resultant kick was cooly slotted beyond Aaron Ryan. A purple patch for Youghal followed as they slotted over 3 quick points before Sean O Donoghue got a welcomed St. Colmcille’s score before a further score for the sea-siders to make it 1-4 to 0-2 at half time.
Despite the strong wind the East Cork men restarted strongly raising another white flag to lead by 6.
O Donoghue did reply and minutes later some fine interlinking play from the majestic Ruairí Quinlan, Stephen Whooley and Rob Docherty put Brendan Quain in for a well-worked goal – 1-05 to 1-03 and it was game on! However Youghal reset and extended their lead out to three. Sixteen minutes into the second half St. Colmcille’s got the break they desperately needed as Sean Whelan’s kick deceived the Youghal netminder and ended up in the back of the net . This was fortuitous break for Colmcilles but it was in many ways deserved. The second half was a stop-sart in nature as the visitor very much tried to slow the game down and not let their opponents take nay advantage that the elements may offer.
After Whelan’s goal, however, there was stalemate then for 10 minutes in this tense encounter only for Youghal to take the lead on 27 minutes after referee Johnny O Connell awarded them a free. The hard-working Quinlan showed great composure to finish off a patient build-up on 31 minutes. Owing to various stoppages O Connell understandably played 6 minutes of injury time. Whelan slotted over what we thought might be the winner on 33 minutes but three minutes later the Youghal free kicker, scored a wonderful free off the ground to level matters – 2-5 to 1-8.
In the first period of extra time scoring was at a premium once again. Our number 14 Daniel Kelleher kicked a fine point but with the last kick of that half Youghal had a booming sideline kick from 40 metres out the field travel all the way over the bar aided by the strong wind.
However it was now noticeable that St. Colmcille’s had far greater options off the bench and this was beginning to show – John Barry and Sean Delaney both won an amount of ball and set up clever attacks.
O Donoghue rose a white flag after 2 minutes and followed it up with a green one on five minutes – the latter finally breaking the resolve of a gallant Youghal side. Billy Connolly who opened the scoring rounded off a fine individual performance with the last two points to put six points in it at the end. While, a somewhat flattering margin of victory in the end it was great to see this St. Colmcille’s team playing together at this age for the very first time showing such unity and will-to-win. Well done to Liam Ryan, his mentors and all players involved.
Team: Aaron Ryan, Felix Murphy, Rory McCarthy, Daniel O’Keeffe, Joe Dunphy, Ruairi Quinlan (0-01), Robert Sheehan, Adam Bowen, Robert Docherty, Stephen Whooley, Billy Connolly (0-03; 2 frees), Patrick Harrington, Sean O’Donoghue (1-03; 1 free), Daniel Kelleher (0-01), Brendan Quaine (1-00)
Subs Used: Sean Whelan (1-01), Evan Flynn, Sean Delaney, John Barry