Gaeil Colmcille made the trip south of the County to take on Curraha, both sides had mixed fortunes last week with the Gaeils overcoming Donaghmore/Ashbourne by two points while Curraha suffered a sizeable defeat to Navan O’Mahony’s.
Gaeil Colmcille had the opportunity to get off to the best possible start when a quick thinking free by Seamus Mattimoe played Martin Barrett through on goal and as he went to strike the ball the Curraha defender took him down and the referee raised his arms to signal for a penalty. Up stepped Brian Hanlon but his effort rattled the crossbar.
Hanlon did get the opening score of the game with a point on five minutes, Curraha responded in excellent fashion when they goaled one minute later. Kells were level on nine minutes after two Hanlon frees but Curraha retained the lead in the 11th minute. Gaeil Colmcille stepped up their efforts and the direct running was causing Curraha problems in the backs and Hanlon was on hand to pop over two more frees to see Gaeil Colmcille lead 0-05 to 1-01 at the water break.
Seamus Mattimoe got the next score of the game before Hanlon extended Kells lead to three points. Curraha kept in touch and struck for two points in the 29th and 30th minute. Gaeil Colmcille did strike for a goal just before half-time, Martin Barrett saw his shot saved with Hanlon following up with a left footed half-volley to the back of the net. Hanlon got his seventh point of the half just before the referee blew for the break to see Gaeil Colmcille lead 1-08 to 1-03.
The opening 13 minutes of the second half was a fortuitous for Curraha as they outscored Kells four points to one. Two pointed frees Mattimoe took Gaeil Colmcille to the water break four points to the good. In the 51st minute the hosts put one score between the teams with a point and it could have been level but for an excellent save by Justin Carry-Lynch.
Gaeil Colmcille closed the game out with points from substitutes Oisin Reilly and Fionn Ferguson as well as two points from Mattimoe to ensure Gaeil Colmcille remained unbeaten as the welcome Moynalvey to Grangegodden for Round 3. After the game The Gaeils Podcast spoke to selector Niall Flanagan which will be available on next weeks episode.
Gaeil Colmcille: J Carry-Lynch, A Lawal, B Tormay, J Reilly, D Farrelly, J Muldoon, A Browne, C Courtney, P Ward, E Sheridan, M Barrett, S Mattimoe (0-05), D McGovern, R Farnham, B Hanlon (1-08).
Subs: O Reilly (0-01), S Curran, F Ferguson (0-01) C Ferguson, F Smith
