Despite defeat, Lee Mackin lit up Croke Park in a game for the ages

St. Kevin’s 2-11

Gaelscoil Cholmcille 3-09

Fan’s in attendance will have went home happy today having witnessed one of the best games Croke Park has seen this year between St. Kevin’s BNS Kilnamanagh and Gaelscoil Cholmcille Lánana Cúlóige in the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Finals.

The two sides went hammer and tong throughout a frantic encounter that really came down to the wire. It was a classic case of unstoppable force meets, immovable object.

St. Kevin’s started the brighter and kicked a couple of lovely points through Sam Sheridan and Seán McBride.

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Gaelscoil Cholmcille hit back though, through midfielder Scott Ó Casaide Mac Siúlai. It was clear from the outset that this game was going to be close.

Wearing number four, but operating all over the park, Cholmcille’s, Oisin Ó Fionnalaigh was a constant thorn in St. Kevin’s side and popped up with a fantastic score the keep the two sides level.

With nothing between the two sides in the opening half it took a moment of magic from full forward Luke Feighery to separate them come the half way mark. His goal, alongside two excellent scores from placed balls ensured that St. Kevin’s went in at half-time four points up.

Lee Mackin was inspirational throughout the first half for St. Kevin’s.

Half time score St.Kevins 1-07 Gaelscoil Cholmcille  0-06.

The second half will go down as one of the best this competition has ever seen. St. Kevin’s ended the first half the stronger and looked to be in prime position to go on and claim victory, however, Gaelscoil Cholmcille proved a determined bunch.

They grabbed a goal through Dylan De Buitléir to get them back into the game. However a beautiful goal from Danny Burke put St. Kevin’s firmly back in the driving seat.

From here on out the game ebbed and flowed, back and forth and it was difficult to know who was going to come out victorious.

Seán McBride continued to stroke over free kicks from the deck, watching the full forward execute one of Gaelic football’s most beautiful skills with pristine all day long, was probably the highlight of what was a glorious day of football.

A defensive error was capitalised upon by Gaelscoil Cholmcille which let them back into the game.

However, the game’s pivotal moment came with only a few minutes to go. A long ball into the square fell for half forward Scott Ó Brádaigh. He looked to get his shot away but was fouled in the process. The referee had no option but to give the penalty.

Ó Bradaigh took the kick himself, and buried it into the bottom left hand corner. It proved the be the decisive score of the match as Gaelscoil Cholmcille eventually prevailed by one point, much to the disappointment of St. Kevin’s who can hold their head’s high knowing they were a part of one of the best games Croke Park has seen this year.

St. Kevin’s captain, Lee Mackin was a powerhouse at midfield all afternoon and his efforts were rewarded with the man of the match award, despite the defeat.

Final score St. Kevin’s 2-11 Gaelscoil Cholmcille 3-09

St. Kevin’s BNS Kilnamanagh

1. Jack Ellis 2. Callum Kenna 3. Aaron Holland 4. Alex O’Keane 5. Callum Byrne O’Reilly 6. Dara Condren O’Brien 7. Daniel O’Neill 8. Cian Mackin 9. Lee Mackin 10. Luke Feighery 11. Sam Sheridan 12. Jack Donnelly 13. Cian Kenna 14. Seán McBride 15. Matthew Campbell D’Arcy.

Subs: 17. Jack Greene 18. Ryan Moore 19. Dara McKenna 20. Daniel Fanning 21. Danny Burke

Gaelscoil Cholmcille Lánana Cúlóige

1. Jack Ó Reachtair 2. Seán Cinsealach 3. Fionn Ó Drisceoil 4. Oisin Ó Fionnalaigh 5. Ciára Ní Fhionnagáin 6. Pádraig Ó Mainin 7. Culann Ó hEanaigh 8. Daniel Ó Laoi 9. Scott ó Casaide Mac Siúlaí 10. Jude de Brún 11. Dylan de Buitléir 12. Scott Ó Brádaigh 13. Cathal Ó hicí 14. Ryan Ó Beacháin Ó Maitiú 15. Charlie Ó Liatháin

Subs: 16. Jack Mac Cába 17. Darragh Ó hUiginn 18. Séamus Ó Rian 19. Stiofán Ó Brádaigh                             20. Tom ac Gabhráin 21. Austin Ó hAnnáin 22. Alannah Elmonem 23. Tadhg Ó hUiginn                     24. Cillian Mac Seoirse 25. Gabhán Strutt 26. Dara Ó Murchú 28. Leon de Paor                                       29. Louis Ó Conghaile 30. Michael Ó Mainí

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10