Gaeil Colmcille welcomed Dunshaughlin to Grangegodden for the second round of the 2023 Feis Cup with the Kells side looking for their second win of the campaign while the visitors were looking for their first after an opening round defeat to St. Colmcille’s.
A minute’s silence was observed before throw in for the passing of Gaeil Colmcille’s former Chairperson Mick Connell who passed away earlier that day.
The opening quarter of the game was all too cagey with two scores coming in the first 15 minutes and both from the boot of Brian Hanlon who pointed over two free kicks. The Gaeils needed a spark from somewhere and Full-Back Adam Donnelly provided that as his king bursting led to Kells third point of the game when Donnelly pointed in the 17th minute.
Dunshaughlin settled themselves in the 19th minute after a well take mark left two between the sides. Aaron Browne restored Gaeil Colmcille’s three point lead after he got on the end of a good move to point with his trusty left boot.
Dunshaughlin got their second point of the game in the 22nd minute but that was soon cancelled out by Brownes midfield partner Liam Ferguson who tagged on Kells fifth score of the game to lead 0-05 to 0-02. Dunshaughlin did finish the half the stronger and outscored the hosts three points to a solidarity Jonny Quigley point to leave one between the teams at half-time with Kells leading 0-06 to 0-05.
Players stand for pre game minutes silence
Gaeil Colmcille exploded out of the traps for the second half as substitute Ryan Farnham cut through the heart of the Dunshaughlin defence and blasted over to double Kells lead to two. A Hanlon free soon followed and Conal Courtney got in on the act minutes later to see Kells take their biggest lead of the game leading 0-09 to 0-05 with 35 minutes played.
Both sides traded the next four scores with Hanlon grabbing a score from play and one from a free to keep Kells four clear. Credit to the Black and Amber of Dunshaughlin they never lay down and hit for two scores in a row to leave two between the sides. Just when Kells needed a score they got it and their twelfth point came from an unusual suspect as Marathon Man Barry Tormay pointed from an acute angle.
With the game heading into its closing stages, Kells were hoping not to concede a late goal but instead found a goal for themselves as Farnham found Hanlon soccer style and Hanlon dinked the ball to the back of the net for the all important win and two points on offer.
Gaeil Colmcille: Barry Farrelly, Adam Muldoon, Adam Donnelly (0-01), Jordan Muldoon, Ahmed Lawal, Jonny Quigley (0-01), Barry Tormay (0-01), Aaron Browne (0-01), Liam Ferguson (0-01), Conal Courtney (0-01) Seanie Curran, James Reilly, Ajay Tormey, Brian Hanlon (1-05), Rian Early.
Subs: Ryan Farnham (0-01), Fionn Ferguson, Daniel Farrelly, Evan Sheridan, Danny Muldoon.
