After surviving the atrocious weather conditions, Gaeil Colmcille’s second string hosted Clann Na nGael in Grangegodden. Two second half goals by the visitors proved the difference as the Athboy/Rathcairn side won out by five points.
In a first half where scores were hard to come by, it was the Clann’s who went three points to no score up inside the opening 11 minutes of the game. Andrew Butler registered Kells first score 15 minutes into the game with a well struck effort off his left boot. Two more pointed frees from Clann Na nGael saw them push four clear.
Kells called on keeper Barry Smith shortly after with an excellent save to keep four between the teams. A Liam Barry free reduced the gap to three points in the 26th minute and a Gary McGovern free one minute later saw Kells trail by just two points at the break 0-03 to 0-05.
Gaeil Colmcille were hoping to get off to a better start than the first half but 2-01 from Clann Na nGael inside the first 13 minutes of the half all but killed the game off. Kells introduced fresh legs for the final quarter in the hope of rescuing the game.
Centre Back Daniel Farrelly got Gaeil Colmcille’s first point of the half in the 19th minute of the second half. The changes had a positive effect on the game with Kells asserting pressure and subs, Gary Arkins and Kevin Carpenter slotting over consecutive points in the 52nd and 53rd minute.
Both sides traded the next two scores with Arkins getting another point from a free. Arkins capped off his fine cameo after a strong run from Fionn Smith ended with Arkins side footing to the back of the net to leave four between the teams. Despite the Gaeils revival, it wasn’t meant to be and an insurance score from Clann Na nGael sealed the five point win despite Kells late efforts.
Gaeil Colmcille: Barry Smith, Sean King, Conor Arkins, Bruno Griffin, Kilian Kelly, Daniel Farrelly (0-01), Max Finlay, Oisin O’Reilly, Rian Early, Finn Mullan, Liam Barry (0-01), Conal Gormley, Andrew Butler (0-01), Gary McGovern (0-01), Stephen Reddy.
Subs: Fionn Smith, Kevin Carpenter (0-01), Martin Barrett, Alex Williams, Gary Arkins (1-02)
