A solitary Daniel Farrelly point for Gaeil Colmcille in the second half of extra-time proved to be the winner in this tight u20 B Championship encounter against Dunderry with the match played under lights in Cortown.
It was the Gaeils who got the opening score of the half with corner forward Jamie Jordan producing an excellent strike in the second minute of the game. In a tight opening half both sides could just manage two points in the next 23 minutes and both came from Dunderry to see them lead 0-02 to 0-01.
Two points in quick succession from Gaeil Colmcille’s Daniel Farrelly, the second a lovely score on his weaker left foot saw Kells take a one point lead into the break 0-03 to 0-02.
With score hard to come by, no one could forsee the start to the second half as Dunderry found themselves on level terms from the throw up. From the kickout, Gaeil Colmcille went the other end of the pitch and forward Alex Williams found the back of the net for the opening goal of the game. One minute later and the Gaeils lead was out to four points thanks to am Ajay Tormey free-kick.
With 35 minutes played Dunderry were once again all square hitting 1-01 in the space of three minutes. Gaeil Colmcille didn’t let the goal phase them and an excellent individual goal from Zak Griffin put Kells once again three points clear with 38 minutes played.
Everytime Gaeil Colmcille got a lead, Dunderry dug deep and clawed their way back in to the game and by the 52nd minute the sides were level with 1-07 a piece. Two points in quick succession, the first from Fionn Smith and a superb point from wing back Finn Mullan saw Kells go two points with the game heading into injury time.
There was still plenty of time for drama as Dunderry took the lead with a goal in added time. The goal seemed to win the game for Dunderry but credit Kells the dusted themselves down and quirked the ball up the pitch and a goal was lurking for Williams but his ferocious effort flew over the bar to force extra-time.
Both sides managed one score each in the first half of extra-time with another Tormey free cancelling out Dunderry’s effort in the sixth minute. The all important score in the game came from Farrelly right at the start of the second half and some heroic defending from the Gaeils saw them close out a one point win and a Semi-Final tie with Rathkenny/Slane
Gaeil Colmcille: Sean Thornton, Kristapus Vitkausus, Fionn Smith (0-01), Max Finlay, Luke Ronan, Ajay Tormey (0-02), Finn Mullan (0-01), Sean Cleary, Darragh Smyth, Kevin Carpenter, Daniel Farrelly (0-03), Cormac O’Reilly, Alex Williams (1-01), Zak Griffin (1-00), Jamie Jordan (0-01).
Subs: Michael O’Byrne, Cian Donlon, Ryan O’Boyle, Adam Donnelly,
