St Colmcilles 3-10 St Marys 2-11

St Marys came up just short in an enthralling encounter against near neighbours St Colmcilles in Piltown on Tuesday.

The sides last meeting was decided by a last gasp goal from Cilles, but both sides were reinforced from Aprils game, Colmcilles with a much changed side and St Marys able to welcome back several key players of their own. 

The home side came out of the traps with a spring in their step, hitting the first 3 points of the game, dominating possession with the Marys defence having to hold strong to keep a powerful attacking unit at bay. Marys opened their account through a Cormac Victory free. This was only a brief respite though, and after 15 mins Cilles were in for goal, leaving the score at 1-5 to 0-1 and the away side had a mountain to climb. The response over the remainder of the half was emphatic, with the young Marys team hitting 1-5 of their own without reply. Another Victory free was followed by an excellent goal. A free flowing team move ended up with Liam O’Brien palming to the net, and Marys were back in the game. Further points from Ben Loughran, Sean Nulty, Victory and O’Brien left the Marys leading, before Cilles had the last say on an end to end half of football. A good counter attacking move ended up with their first half substitute finishing low to the net to send them in to the break 2-5 to 1-6 in front.

The home side started the second half as they finished the first, with a pointed effort straight from the throw in. This needed a response from Marys and they got it soon after, hitting their second goal of the game. Nulty was on hand to finish from close range after great work in the build up by Joey Greene. With the game finely poised, St Marys sloppiness came back to haunt them, with a turnover deep in the Cilles half resulting in a break at speed and ending up with the midfielder finishing to the net from close range. This could have finished the away sides challenge but they continued to work extremely hard to stay in the game. A point from Sam Victory kept it at a 3 point game, with C Victory adding a magnificent point from play from 45 yards out. Cilles got 3 points of their own, and as the game entered its final stages, both sides were feeling the effects of the titanic battle. Marys hung in there, a Nulty point bringing the away side within 3 again. As the game reached its conclusion, Marys were awarded a free in. C Victory pointed to give the Marys last one chance, but they could not capitalise on this. Referee Andrew Lenehan blew the full time whistle soon afterwards, leaving the Donore/Rosnaree men dejected. A heroic effort from the team, in a game with a real championship feel to it. This will hold them in great stead as they await Kilmainhamwood in the Championship first round on August 9th. 

St Marys: Adam Byrne; Liam Lynch, Conor O’Brien, John Spain; Sam Victory , Dylan Bagnall, Maithiu Brien; Joey Greene, Cathal Sheridan; Cormac Victory, Tadhg Dixon, Sean Nulty; Liam O’Brien, James Lynch, Ben Loughran.

Subs: AJ Bradshaw for Spain, Tadhg McLaughlin for Sheridan, Ronan Everard for L Lynch, Paddy Owens, William McSweneey, Gary Slevin, Tadhg Lynch, Neil Floyd. 

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