St. Loman’s Park, Trim was the venue for the second round of the Fairyhouse Steel Meath Senior Football Championship between Gaeil Colmcille and Moynalvey.
The Gaeils came flying out of the traps and hit the opening three points of the game with a Seamus Mattimoe free and two points from Full-Forward Ryan Farnham, both players direct running causing problems for the Moynalvey backs. It took to the 11th minute for Moynalvey to register their first score but Phil Ward cancelled that score out in the 12th minute.
Leading by 3 points, Kells amazingly found themselves behind at the first half water break as Moynalvey hit 1-01 the goal a lucky one as goalkeeper Justin Carry-Lynch pulled off an excellent save but the ball fell kindly to Cillian O’Sullivan who tapped into an empty net. Gaeil Colmcille regained the lead by the 20th minute when Brian Hanlon and Mattimoe pointed.
Moynalvey once again were level one minute later but it was Gaeil Colmcille who finished the half the strongest as they hit the next four points to see them lead 0-10 to 1-03 at half-time, Hanlon adding two frees followed by a point from Ward and a third of the half from Farnham.
Gaeil Colmcille were dealt a blow at half-time when Mattimoe had to be substituted due to a hamstring problem and he was replaced by Fionn Ferguson, Ferguson got straight into the action and a direct ball into him was gathered and laid off to the onrushing Evan Sheridan who pointed to extend Kells lead to five points.
Moynalvey hit their purple patch in the game as they rattled off three points in a row followed by a goal chance but Carry-Lynch produced another fine save. They did get their second goal in the 40th minute when O’Sullivan broke into space and despite the best efforts from Carry-Lynch the ball nestled in the corner of the net to give Moynalvey a one point lead.
The goal spurred Gaeil Colmcille into life and Farnham fisted over the bar to tie things up and a mistake by the Moynalvey keeper allowed Fionn Reilly to fire home as Kells took the lead once more. Things got better for the Gaeils as Evan Sheridan went on an amazing solo run which ended up with the half-forward nestling the ball in the back of the net. Two points from Reilly and Hanlon pushed Gaeil Colmcille eight points clear and when referee Kieran Olwell stretched his arms out to signal for a penalty, Hanlon stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way.
Both sides traded the final two points of the game with Hanlon pointing for Kells and ensuring a much needed win ahead of the third round game with Simonstown in two weeks time.
Gaeil Colmcille: Justin Carry-Lynch, Jonny Quigley, Paulie Tormay, James Reilly, Conal Courtney, Jordan Muldoon, Seanie Curran, Phil Ward (0-02), Liam Ferguson, Evan Sheridan (1-01), Martin Barrett, Fionn Reilly (1-01), Seamus Mattimoe (0-02), Ryan Farnham (0-04), Brian Hanlon (1-05).
Subs: Fionn Ferguson for Mattimoe, Adam Donnelly for Quigley, Danny McGovern for Barrett, Aaron Browne for Farnham, Ahmed Lawal for Ward
