Gaeil Colmcille and Na Fianna locked battle in the final League match of the 2023 campaign in Grangegodden.
The Enfield/Baconstown outfit got the scoring underway with an early free but Seamus Mattimoe quickly responded for the Kells side to level things up. The Gaeils opened up a sizeable lead after frees from Brian Hanlon and Barry Farrelly was followed by another point from Mattimoe’s left boot and another Hanlon free left Kells 0-05 to 0-01 ahead after 13 minutes.
Na Fianna responded and hit three scores in a row to leave the minimum between the sides. Phil Ward occupying the Full Forward position got his first score of the day and Hanlon added a third free. Mattimoe added a final score for Kells before Na Fianna rounded up the scoring in the half to see them trail the hosts 0-06 to 0-08 at the break.
Na Fianna, like the first half opened the scoring in the second half. 10 minutes later and that score was cancelled by a Farrelly free on 40 minutes. Both sides traded scores with Ward got his second point of the game although he would have hoped for more as it looked like the goal was on the cards. Na Fianna got in front for the first time hitting four in a frow to see them lead by two points.
As the game headed to the closing stages, a mark from Mattimoe and a free from Farrelly drew the sides level. There was still time for Na Fianna to clinch the two points after Referee Peter O’Halloran awarded a free and the Na Fianna forward slotted over the winning score to ensure they stay in Division 1A for 2024.
Gaeil Colmcille: Barry Farrelly (0-03), Fionn Smith, Adam Donnelly, Cormac Ferguson, Daniel Farrelly, James Reilly, Barry Tormay, Jonny Quigley, Ahmed Lawal, Ryan Farnham, Brian Hanlon (0-04), Ajay Tormey, Seamus Mattimoe (0-03), Phil Ward (0-02), Rian Early.
Subs: Paul Tormay, Danny Muldoon, Seanie Curran
