Sunday 14th September 2014
Oxhey Park, Watford
Referee: Martin McNamara, Glen Rovers
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.
Éire Óg: 1. Ryan Davies 2. Dave Behan 3. Eoin O Grady. 4. Mark Hickey 5. Danny Reidy 6. Johnny Harte 7. Conor Briody 8. Mark O Callaghan 9. Stevie Mellon 10. JP Doyle 11. Liam Reale 12. Sean Lane 13. Piers McGlynn 14. Tommy Gaughan 15. Mark Ryan. C Donnellan for T Gaughan, K Morrissey for S Lane, M Cooke for J Harte, T Griffin for C Donnellan.
St. Colmcilles: 1. Garry McGlynn 2. Brian Smith 3. Brian Phelan 4. Paul Rowland 5. Bill Foley 6. Aaron O Byrne 7. Tom Maloney 8. Emmitt Higgins. 9. Warren Little 10. Chris Griffin 11. Paul Anderson 12. Conor Carney 13. Adrian Connelly 14. Paul Dolan 15. Gavin Walsh