Sunday 14th September 2014
Éire Óg Oxford 1-19 v St. Colmcilles 1-06
Éire Óg retained the Herfordshire Senior League title with a superlative performance against St. Colmcilles last Sunday. Behind by a point at half-time, the Oxford side outscored the St. Albans team by 1-13 to 0-2 in the second half.
St. Colmcilles had the better start with Paul Anderson popping over a fine first minute point before Oxford got off the mark with points from JP Doyle and Liam Reale. The St. Albans man popped over two points from the full forward line to regain the lead on the 15 minute mark. Éire Óg took control at midfield for the next five minutes helped by the courageous tackling of Stephen Mellon and furrowing skills of Mark O Callaghan, but their forwards were wasteful and kicked four wides in a row. St. Colmcilles pounced when Aaron O Byrne scored a terrific goal after some quick hand passing down the left wing. Conor Carney popped over another point to leave the St. Colmcilles men 1-4 to 0-3 in front after 22 minutes. The Oxford full forward line responded well and 2 points from Mark Ryan and another from Piers McGlynn left a point in the game at half-time.
Oxford rejigged their forward line at half time and substitute Chris Donnellan had an instant effect when he popped over a great point to level the game. Oxford nipped over two more points before Donnellan flicked a long ball over the St. Albans keeper and into the back of the net to leave Éire Óg 1-9 to 1-4 up after 35 minutes. Oxford scored two more points before St. Colmcilles responded with two well taken frees from Paul Anderson. The Colmcilles resurgence was halted by a burst of Éire Óg points from Donnellan, Doyle and Ryan. Additionally, the Oxford defense were well on top and snuffed out any Colmcilles attacks. Wing-back Conor Briody broke forward to score a great point to leave the score at 1-18 to 1-06. However, the last point of the day was the most memorable, with substitute Kevin Morrissey demonstrating his much vaunted volleyball skills to palm a ball over the bar. Éire Óg, and their many travelling supporters, were delighted when the final whistle blew and Captain Mark O Callaghan accepted the League Cup from County Secetary Diarmuid Walsh. Next up for Éire Óg Oxford is a county championship final with current kingpins Glen Rovers from Watford which will be played in Oxford (Horspath GAA pitch, OX4 2RR) on September 28th at 15.30.
Éire Óg: Ryan Davies, Dave Behan, Eoin O’ Grady, Mark Hickey, Danny Nicholls, Johnny Harte (0-01), Conor Briody (0-01), Mark O’ Callaghan, Stevie Mellon, JP Doyle (0-02), Liam Reale(0-02), Sean Lane, Piers McGlynn(0-04), Tommy Gaughan, Mark Ryan(0-02). Subs Chris Donnellan (1-07) for Tommy Gaughan, Darren Cuddy for Dave Behan, Tommy Griffin for Chris Donnellan, Kevin Morrissey (0-01) for Sean Lane, Michael Cooke for Johnny Harte (black card). Subs not used: Declan Sweeney, John O’ Driscoll, Paul O’ Sullivan.
St Colmcilles: Garry McGlynn, Brian Smith, Brian Phelan,Paul Rowland, Bill Foley, Aaron O’ Byrne, Tom Maloney, Emmet Higgins, Warren Little, Chris Griffin, Paul Anderson (0-03), Conor Carney (0-01), Adrian Cooney(0-01), Paul Dolan, Gavin Walsh (0-01). Subs James Thompson for Gavin Walsh, Joe Deacy for Paul Dolan, John O’ Dowd for Joe Deacy, Shane Gill for Tom Maloney, John McLoughlin for Bill Foley.
Referee: Martin McManamon (Glen Rovers)