St. Colmcille’s produced a superb performance in Carraig na bhFear tonight to book their place in the Rebel Óg Coiste Under 13 Division 3 Hurling League Final, overcoming Ballygiblin by eleven points.
Having lost to Ballygiblin in their two previous meetings this year, it was very much a case of third time lucky for St. Colmcille’s — although in truth, there was very little luck involved in this performance. The Colmcille’s players earned their victory through an outstanding team display from the opening whistle to the final puck.
The circumstances made the achievement even more impressive. St. Colmcille’s had no substitutes available on the night, with Sean Buckley picking up an injury during the warm-up and Harry Galvin unable to play through illness. Several other players also took to the field carrying injuries. Ballygiblin, by contrast, had more than 20 players togged out, although they too had players ruled-out with injuries.
Despite those difficulties, St. Colmcille’s dominated the game for long periods and were the better side from start to finish.
Oran Crowley and Cathal Walsh had St. Colmcille’s on the scoreboard early, with Walsh then adding two frees as Colmcille’s established control. Ballygiblin’s Garrett Patrick O’Mahony responded with two excellent scores, including a fine point from out on the wing, while Jack McGrath was lively throughout and central to much of what Ballygiblin did well.
However, St. Colmcille’s continued to create chances and eventually got the reward their dominance deserved. Cathal Walsh added further scores before Ronan Glavey found the net in the closing stages of the half. Walsh added another point immediately afterwards, leaving Colmcille’s 1-7 to 0-4 ahead at the interval.
The second half saw St. Colmcille’s continue where they had left off. Walsh and Glavey added points, with Glavey producing a particularly impressive score from around 70 yards. The pressure continued and further points from Walsh and Glavey stretched the lead.
Ballygiblin never stopped competing, and they were rewarded when Aaron Hennessy found the net midway through the half. John Kabundi also added a point late on, but the Ballygiblin fightback never developed into a serious threat.
At the other end, St. Colmcille’s continued to attack and Ronan Glavey added another point before Finn Dunne produced one of the moments of the night. He created the opportunity himself before finishing high into the roof of the net from an extremely tight angle.
The final whistle confirmed an emphatic 2-13 to 1-5 victory.
Every St. Colmcille’s player gave absolutely everything on the night, but the half-back line of Eoin Cashman, Joseph Foley and Aaron O’Sullivan deserves particular praise. They drove the team forward repeatedly and very little got past the trio throughout the game.
For Ballygiblin, full-back Nicolas Enrique Aquiles was outstanding. With Colmcille’s constantly threatening, he was called upon repeatedly and did everything within his power to repel the attacks. Jack McGrath and Garrett Patrick O’Mahony also impressed for Ballygiblin.
After two defeats against Ballygiblin earlier in the year, St. Colmcille’s finally got their reward when it mattered most. They made their own luck tonight, overcoming injuries, a lack of substitutes and previous disappointment with a magnificent collective effort.
Now they have a league final to look forward to.
St. Colmcilles
1 – Cillian Buckley
2 – Noah O Sullivan
3 – Zach Forde
4 – Joe Duhig
5 – Aaron O Sullivan
6 – Joseph Foley
7 – Eoin Cashman
8 – Oran Crowley (0-01)
9 – Sean Docherty
10 – Michael Looney
11 – Ronan Glavey (1-04, 2 frees)
12 – Cathal Walsh (0-08, 3 frees)
13 – RJay Whitley
14 – Darragh Aherne
15 – Finn Dunne (1-00)
SUB: Sean Buckley
Ballygiblin
1 – Olan Walsh
2 – Pearse O’Sullivan
3 – Nicolas Enrique Aquiles
4 – Zach Kiely
5 – Padraig O Farrell
6 – Graeme O’Donnell
7 – Paudie O’Keeffe
8 – Aaron Hennessy
9 – Jack McGrath (0-02 – frees)
10 – William O’Dwyer
11 – Darren Cunningham
12 – Garrett Patrick O’Mahony
13 – Jack McGrath
14 – Evan Roche
15 – Gabriel Farrissey
SUBS USED: John Kabundi (1-00), Charlie Sweeney, Lee O’Mahoney, Eli Finn