What a difference 533 days makes, that’s how many days since both Gaeil Colmcille and Wolfe Tones qualified for the 2020 Feis Cup Final. It would be Gaeil Colmcille who’d pick up their third Feis Cup since 2015 with seven point win in Páirc Tailteann.
Gaeil Colmcille got off to the perfect start when Brian Hanlon laid the ball off to the on rushing Fionn Reilly, Reilly ran past two defenders and hit low to give Kells the early lead. The Tones responded well and with five minutes played got their first score with a point from play. Gaeil Colmcille looked likely to get a second goal but for the upright to stop Fionn Ferguson after he spun his marker and shot low.
Three points in a row from The Gaeils increased their lead to five points as Evan Sheridan and Hanlon (2) pointed for the Kells men. Another Tones point saw them trail 0-02 to 1-03 at the first half water-break. A Hanlon free was matched by two Wolfe Tones points from play and Reilly got his first point of the game to keep Kells in control.
Both sides shared the last four points of the half with Ryan Farnham hitting two excellent points to see Kells lead 1-07 to 0-06 at half-time.
Gaeil Colmcille, like the first half got the perfect start as a beautifully weighted pass from Ferguson left Halon through on goal but he was taken down inside the penalty area and the referee signaled for a spot kick, with Hanlon still recovering from the challenge, up stepped Reilly and he made no mistake to fire home for Gaeil Colmcille.
Three more points followed as Sheridan, Reilly and Semaus Mattimoe got in on the act for the 2015 and 2018 winners and while Wolfe Tones pointed in the 35th and 52nd minute minute they couldn’t break down Gaeil Colmcille. Mattimoe hit his second point of the day and when Reilly and Hanlon scored additional points the cup seemed in the bag.
A late rally by Wolfe Tones saw them score two late goals, both in injury time, wither side of a Hanlon point was not enough to claw back the lead and the referee called a halt to proceedings with Gaeil Colmcille holding out for the 7 point win.
Gaeil Colmcille: Justin Carry Lynch, Jonny Quigley, Paul Tormay, James Reilly, Conal Courtney, Jordan Muldoon, Seanie Curran, Phil Ward, Liam Ferguson, Evan Sheridan (0-02), Fionn Ferguson, Fionn Reilly (2-03), Seamus Mattimoe (0-02), Ryan Farnham (0-02), Brian Hanlon (0-06),
Subs: Ahmed Lawal for F Ferguson, Aaron Browne for Ward, Cormac Mattimoe for Hanlon, Danny Mulsoon for James Reilly
