Gaeil Colmcille seconds got their Premier Championship off to a perfect start with a four point win over 2023 Division 2 Champions Summerhill with the game played in perfect conditions at Boardsmill.
The game was played at a frantic pace throughout but more so in the opening half where it felt that every attack for either team would result in a score of some sort. It was Kells that would get the scoring underway with Oisin Walsh pointing inside the opening minute. Less than 60 seconds later and Walsh got his and Gaeil Colmcille’s second point with a tap over free. All was going well for The Gaeils until Summerhill rattled the net to see them take the lead.
Gaeil Colmcille restored their lead by the 9th minute after Brian Hanlon levelled things up with a 45 and Liam Barry squared to Hanlon to tap the ball in for a goal and see Gaeil Colmcille lead 1-03 to 1-00. From the resulting kickout, Summerhill got their second score of the game and once again it was a goal as Conor Flanagan could do nothing to stop the effort. The goal gave Summerhill a boost and in the next 7 minutes they would hit four unanswered points to lead 2-04 to 1-03 with 17 minutes played.
Gaeil Colmcille were getting chances but were failing to convert them but two points from Evan Sheridan stopped the rot for Kells, Sheridan was unlucky not to make it three in a row but his effort came back off the upright. Summerhill restored their four point lead with two points from play but they would be their last scores of the half as Kells closed out the first half in spectacular fashion, a point by Daniel Farrelly in the 22nd minute was followed by a goal from Oisin Walsh in the 26th minute to draw the sides level. Liam Barry got on the scoresheet after and excellent show and he pointed accordingly off his left boot.
Hanlon finished off the scoring to see Gaeil Colmcille take a two point lead into the break with the Kells side leading 2-08 to 2-06.
Brian Hanlon picked up where he left off and slotted over his second 45 of the game. Walsh added a free in the 33rd minute and Gaeil Colmcille led by four points. As was with the story of the game, neither side lay down and three points in a row over an 11 minute period. Once again it was who pointed to see Kells lead by two as the game went into its final 10 minutes.
Summerhill had an excellent opportunity to take the lead but this time Flanagan stood brave in the goal and closed down the Summerhill attacker and pulled off what was potentially a match winning save. After holing Summerhill at bay, Oisin Walsh was awarded a free and Hanlon stepped up to take as Walsh received treatment to see Kells lead by three with five minutes of normal time remaining.
The Hill pulled it back to two points but like the first half, Gaeil Colmcille closed out the game and a strong run from Danny Muldoon saw him split the posts while Walsh added a mark in the 62nd minute to confirm the win.
Gaeil Colmcille sends its best wishes to the Summerhill player who had to leave the pitch late on with what looked a nasty injury.
Gaeil Colmcille: Noah Boshell, Paulie Tormay, Cormac Keegan, Bruno Griffin, Kilian Kelly, Danny Muldoon (0-01), Cormac Ferguson, Aaron Browne, Evan Sheridan (0-02), Fionn Smith, Daniel Farrelly (0-01), Jack Hogg, Liam Barry (0-01). Brian Hanlon (1-04), Oisin Walsh (1-05).
Subs: Conor Flanagan for Boshell, Oisin O’Reilly for Browne, Darragh Smyth for Barry, Gary McGovern for Hanlon.
