Gaeil Colmcille face an uphill task to secure their Division 1A status as the slumped to a nine point defeat in Summerhill Tuesday evening.
The home side flew out of the blocks and were three points to the good with only two and a half minutes on the clock. The Hill stretched their lead to four in the sixth minute. Gaeil Colmcille were handed a lifeline in the 10th minute to get them back into the game when Brian Hanlon got taken down inside the penalty area and referee David Goldrick awarded Kells a penalty. Beano stepped up himself and finished low to the keepers left to leave one point between the sides.
Summerhill soon cancelled out the Hanlon goal as three points in a row restored their four point lead. A Conal Courtney fisted point in the 20th minute kept Gaeil Colmcille in touch but Summerhill rallied off 1-04 in the final 10 minutes of the half to open up a sizeable lead. A pointed free from Seamus Mattimoe closed out the half leaving Summerhill leading 1-11 to 1-02 at the break.
Gaeil Colmcille started the second half on a more positive note with two points by Hanlon and Martin Barrett either side of a Summerhill point. Summerhill put the foot to the Kells throats in a seven minute spell adding a further 1-04 to no reply to pull 15 points clear with 45 minutes played.
With Summerhill ringing in the changes, Kells did take advantage and did finish the game the stronger outscoring Summerhill five points to one, Mattimoe adding three points while Barrett added a further two points to leave the final score 2-17 to 1-11 in favour of Summerhill.
Gaeil Colmcille: Barry Farrelly, Paulie Tormay, Jonny Quigley, James Reilly, Jordan Muldoon, Barry Tormay, Danny Muldoon, Cian Doogan, Conal Courtney (0-01), Oisin Reilly, Seanie Curran, Aaron Browne, Seamus Mattimoe (0-05), Martin Barrett (0-03), Brian Hanlon (1-01).
Subs: Adam Muldoon, Evan Sheridan, Adam Donnelly
Photo © Hoganstand Meath
