St Ultan’s 3-9 Gaeil Colmcille 2-11
St Ultan’s opened their league campaign with a one point victory which looked unlikely at half time. The Kells side opened the scoring but this was cancelled out by a Gearoid Rennicks free and the home side led with a point by Ruairi Buchanan. The Kells men dominated the remainder of the half aided a strong breeze and led by eight points at the break.
St Ultan’s with the wind at their backs played themselves slowly back into the game with points and out scored their opponents by five points to two in the third quarter, the scores coming from Adam Rogers (2), Darren Kavanagh, Ruairi and Tommy Buchanan. It would take goals to win the game and when a long ball broke to corner forward Ruairi Buchanan he finished low and hard to the net.
Tommy Buchanan narrowed the gap to one and Ultan’s had all the momentum. Darren Kavanagh was tripped when in on goal and was awarded a penalty that he then converted, within forty seconds Ultans had another green flag as Lee Hennessy flicked the ball to the net. That was to be Ultan’s last score.
Gaeil Colmcille fought back with another point and a Barry Farrelly goal but some great tackling in defence ensured Ultan’s left with the two points on offer.
The game was also Lorcan Hughes first game at adult level for the men in green and black and no doubt the first of many. Next up for Ultan’s is a visit to St Colmcilles.
St. Ultans: Keith Hennessy, Declan Ball, Martin Hughes, Shane Mulroe, Lorcan Hughes, Darren Costello, Gearoid Rennicks 0-2 (2f’s), Darragh Reilly, Emmett Costello, Johnny Foster, Darren Kavanagh 1-1 (1-0 pen) Adam Rogers 0-2, Tommy Buchanan 0-2, Mark Allen, Ruairi Buchanan 1-2 (1f) Subs Used Lee Hennessy 1-0, Dylan Byrne