It was third time lucky for this Cilles team against Monalty in this Division which was the
final of the Premier 5 Championship.
The rescheduled fixture was played in sweltering
conditions in the great venue that is Walterstown with the facilities in excellent condition.
Due to their recent experiences against Monalty the Cilles panel prepared with a steely
determination to reverse previous results. It is said that it is the defence that determines
whether a match is won or lost and the forwards that determine the size of the victory.
From a Cilles perspective that saying could not have been more appropriate.
The initial exchanges from the throw-in showed that nothing was going to be easily
achieved in the conditions as both teams tested each other out. The Cilles men settled with
the first score, which was a well worked goal from Conor Clifford.
The pattern for the halfwas the tireless work of the defence in keeping the Monalty attack at bay while the Cilles
attack added a further eight points before the half time break to the one point scored by
Monalty. Half Time Score Cilles 1-08; Monalty 0-01.
The Cilles effectively killed off the match with the first four points of the second half which
put fourteen points between the sides before Monalty registered the second of the points.
From here the Cilles kicked on with further goals from Aaron Grant (2), Adam McCabe (2),
and Luke Conlon.
The fresh legs joining the match ensured that there was no let up in the
effort by the Cilles men who maintained their stranglehold of the game right up to the final
whistle.
The team performed as a unit from the throw-in to the final whistle. The commitment all
through the pitch was immense with every ball contested with many resultant turnovers.
The team defended tirelessly from start to finish which was emphasised by a full length save
from keeper Stephen arising from a one on one attack by Monalty late on in the match
when the outcome was not going to be affected.
The twenty men who took to the pitch and
those on the panel who didn’t get to play were all responsible for the result. Premier 4 here
we come.
Colmcilles scorers: Aaron Grant 2-05; Adam McCabe 2-04; Conor Clifford 1-00; Luke Conlon
1-00; Ferdia Quigley 0-02; and 0-01 each for Oisin Murphy, Eanna Walsh, Caolan Nulty,
Ciaran White, Stewart McDonnell .
Colmcilles team: Stephen O’Toole, Matthew Weir, Stephen Emmett (c ), Oisin MacAleenan,
Lorcan Hughes, Caolan Nulty, Oisin Murphy, Adam McCabe, Shane Towey, Conor Clifford,
Eanna Walsh, Luke Conlon, Ciaran White, Ferdia Quigley, Aaron Grant.
Substitutes: James McElearney for Eanna Walsh; Adrian Kavanagh for Lorcan Hughes; Ethan
Bradley for Luke Conlon; Cillian Quigley for Conor Clifford; and Stewart McDonnell for Aaron
Grant.
Words Liam Walsh
Photos: BM
