Gaeil Colmcille and Walterstown serve up cracking encounter

From start to finish, this U-19 Div Two finale was nothing short of incredible

Gaeil Colmcille 4-7

Walterstown 1-13

Three first-half goals proved crucial to Gaeil Colmcille's victory in this incredible U-19 Div Two final on Friday evening at Dunganny. Walterstown showed great resilience throughout and even though there was a six-point gap between the sides with 10 minutes left, the game was still in the melting pot right up to the final whistle. However, for the second year running in this championship, Walterstown had to settle for the role of Bridesmaid as Gaeil Colmcille were crowned champions.

Fionnan O'Connor got the scoring underway for Walterstown with a fantastic long-range effort from just outside the 45'. Gaeil Colmcille immediately responded when a quick free taken by Andrew Gormley found the chest of Jack Hogg. Hogg set up Oisin Walsh and the full forward made no mistake with the finish to the back of the Walterstown net.

Gaeil Colmcille won the following kickout and Walsh tapped over to give his side an early three-point lead. Not to be outdone by their opponents, Walterstown maintained the high-tempo start to the clash when Cormac Maguire set up Neil McGinley for their second point.

Gaeil Colmcille went on the offence once more and having won the ball 45 meters out from the Walterstown posts, Andrew Gormley started a move that included contributions from Walsh, Hogg and Jack Byrne before Andrew Gormley himself finished to the net for Gaeil Colmcille's second goal. That goal gave the Kells side a five-point lead after only six minutes.

Walterstown rattled off the next three points, two of which were secured by McGinley, which reduced the gap back to two. John Gormley added his name to the scoresheet to push Gaeil Colmcille three ahead before Andrew Gormley and Eanna Holland traded points.

Two frees at either end for Walsh and McGinley maintained the gap at three before Gaeil Colmcille secured a third goal with only two minutes left in the first-half. A brilliantly worked move which once again started on the 45 by the eventual goalscorer, had contributions from both wing backs, Killian Kelly and Charlie Twomey before Eoghan Flynn finished off the wonderful passage of play to the net.

As the sides regrouped at half-time, Gaeil Colmcille held a 3-4 to 0-7 advantage.

Walsh and O'Connor opened the scoring for their respective sides early on in the second-half before Andrew Gormley dispossessed Liam Barry deep in Gaeil Colmcille's territory and tapped over to narrow the margin back to five.

Walterstown were dealt a lifeline when half-time substitute Adam Brady was fouled inside the Gaeil Colmcille rectangle. McGinley dispatched the penalty and with 20 minutes to go, there was only two points between them.

Walterstown had their tails up and made several attempts to try and break down Gaeil Colmcille further but the Kells side, especially corner-back Tadgh Dardis, defended brilliantly.

Gaeil Colmcille went on the attack once more and Andrew Gormley secured a settler point. Moments later, just as he did in the first half, Oisin Walsh set up Andrew Gormley for his second goal and Gaeil Colmcille's fourth. With 10 minutes left, Gaeil Colmcille now held a six-point advantage.

Not for the first time, it looked as if Gaeil Colmcille had the game sewn up but Walterstown wernt buried yet. McGinley and O'Connor secured two scores each and as the game reached the closing stages, there was only two points in it.

The last passage of play was absolutely incredible. Having won possession in their own half, Gaeil Colmcille went on the offence and when Walsh received the ball deep in Walterstown territory, he quickly sent a fist pass across the goal into the path of Shane Callaghan. Callaghan got a touch on it and was convinced the ball crossed the line. However, Walterstown keeper, Tyler Farrell managed to scramble and clear the danger.

Walterstown then came on the attack in search of a score but McGinley's shot at the posts dropped short into the hands of Tyler Farrell. Gaeil Colmcille then went on the offence once more. Walterstown panicked and a foul was awarded to the Kells' side. With the last kick of the game, Andrew Gormley split the posts and after an unforgettable 60 minutes of football, the ref's final whistle confirmed Gaeil Colmcille as champions.

Gaeil Colmcille - Caoimhin Jordan; Tadgh Dardis, Rian Early, Shane Callaghan; Killian Kelly, John Gormley (0-1), Charlie Twomey; Oisin O'Reilly, Jack Byrne; Eoghan Flynn (1-0), Liam Barry, Jack Hogg; Andrew Gormley(2-4, one free), Oisin Walsh (1-2, one free), Liam Devine. Subs - Harry Flanagan for Kelly HT, Callum Mitchell for Twomey 50m.

Walterstown - Tyler Farrell; Sean McGuinness, Eoin Heffernen, Sean O'Connell; Cormac Maguire, Oliver Maloney, Ryan Brady; Ross Gillooly, Cornor McEntee; Conor Brady, Fionnan O'Connor (0-4, two frees) Senan Colgan; Eanna Holland (0-3), Neil McGinley (1-6, three frees, one penalty), Robert Davis. Subs - Luc Doyle for McGuinness 30m, Adam Brady for R Brady HT.

Referee - Paul Mooney (St Michael's)