It was the 15th of May 2013 and two rivals St.Colmcilles and Scoil Ailbhe did battle in a windy Garda pitch Templemore. The ball was thrown at 12.45 by referee Martin Ryan.
It was Scoil Ailbhe who got the upper hand in the first few minutes. Before Colmcilles could hardly blink Scoil Ailbhe had a goal and a point scored. A couple of minutes later Nick Keane opened the scoring for Colmcilles with a well taken free. Colmcilles couldn’t really break through because of the sheer skill and determination shown by Scoil Ailbhe. Neat passing in the middle of the field led to further scores from Scoil Ailbhe. Just before the half time whistle Aaron Quinlan tapped over Colmcilles second. The sides went into the half time break Scoil Ailbhe 3-4 Colmcilles 0-2.
The tide turned in the second half and it was the boys from Templemore who came out strongest and scored a great goal through Ciaran Byrne. 3 further points from Colmcilles saw them back within 2 goals. Scoil Ailbhe increased their lead to 7 with a point. 3 quarters of the way into the second half Colmcilles won a 21 yard free which Darragh Doyle came up from full back to take and he rattled it into the roof of the net. The lead was down to 4. A couple of minutes later Darragh Doyle again took a free but this time it went over the bar, the Templemore boys would only need a goal to be level. Colmcilles fought hard but could never get that goal, although Ciaran Hoctor did hit over a point. Scoil Ailbhe in typical style came back down the field to finish off Colmcilles with a well worked goal. The final score was Scoil Ailnhe 4-5 St. Colmcilles 2-6. Scoil Ailbhe topped the group but both teams progress to county semi finals. It was a great day.
By Ewan Scott
5th Class.