The old adage of sticks and stones may break my bones but goals will always win you matches was none more so truer at Grangegodden for the first round of the Minor Division 2 Championship when three first half goals helped Oldcastle to an opening round win over Gaeil Colmcille.
The game was well and truly in the balance midway through the first half with Oldcastle on 1-02 and Gaeil Colmcille on 0-05 but a five minute onslaught from the Loughcrew side saw them shoot 2-03 to a solitary Gaeil Colmcille point to see them take a firm grip on the game.
It was the Kells side who started brightest with two points from Oisin Walsh and an Andrew Gormley point helped The Gaeils to a 0-03 to 0-01 lead with 11 minutes played. The lead chopped and changed with Oldcastle getting their first goal of the game but Walsh and Gormley retained Kells lead before a free left the sides level before Oldcastle pushed clear. A Callum Mitchell point with the outside of his left boot saw Kells trail 0-07 to 3-05 and it all to do in the second half.
With the aid of an extra man after Oldcastle were reduced to 14 men and with the wind in their backs, Gaeil Colmcille struck for the opening point of the half but it was soon cancelled out by two Oldcastle points from play.
Two more points from Walsh brought the gap back to seven points, as soon as Gaeil Colmcille got any momentum, Oldcastle kept their scoreboard ticking over and keep The Gaeils at arms length. Four points in a row from Gaeil Colmcille brought it back to a one score game with Walsh and Gormley sharing the four points.
As Kells went in search for the equalising goal, it was Oldcastle who went up the other end of the pitch to tap over the insurance point and seal the win for the opening two points of the group.
Gaeil Colmcille: Leo Fitzgerald, Eoghan Flynn, Hugh Farrelly, Callum Mitchell (0-01). Jack Byrne, Liam Devine, Oisin Sheridan, Noah Boshell, Tiernan Anderson, Rocco Genocky, Andrew Gormley (0-06), Jack Butler, Shane Callaghan, Oisin Walsh (0-07), Charlie Twomey.
Subs: Aaron Styles, Harry Butler.
