Summerhill second team traveled the Boardsmill on Monday evening for the first round of the Premier Division One Championship where they took on Gaeil Colmcille. On a lovely evening on a pitch that was in great condition it turned out to be a really enjoyable game of football with some excellent scoring from both sides. 

The Kells side opened brightly getting the first two points as well as forcing a  good save from Summerhill keeper Robbie McDonnell. In the sixth minute of the half  Manny Magno got Summerhill of the mark scoring a good goal having been set up by Eamonn Ryan. The Kells men responded well to the setback hitting a goal and a point within a minute to extend their lead. With Summerhill midfielders Paddy McGrath and Ciaran Gillespie starting to dominate Summerhill hit a purple patch. In the 11th minute, Ross Tallon struck for their second goal following a good move involving Manny Magno and Conor Summerville. A minute later, following a foul on Magno, who was having an excellent game, Conor Somerville added another point. Three more points without reply from Summerhill. Including one from Somerville, a good point from distance from Ross Talon and an Eamonn Ryan effort saw the Summerhill men lead by 4 points with 18 minutes of the half gone. The Kells men hit back with 2 point of their own to cut the gap. Another great run by Manny Magno in the 20th minute saw his goal bound shot just clip the top of the bar to go over for a point. With eight minutes left in the half, Summerhill led by 4 points but the Kells men dominated the rest of the half. In the 26th minute following a mix-up in the Summerhill defense, the struck for their second goal, and added two more points before the break to leave the halftime score Summerhill 2-6. Gaeil Colmcilles 2-8 with all to play for in the second half. Summerhill’s cause was not helped by the loss of Ciaran Gillespie on the stroke of half time through injury and was replaced by Padhraig Geraghty, not a bad sub to have to bring in! 

 The Kells side began the second-half strongly, adding two further points in the first 3 minutes to stretch their lead but it would be 15minutes until they scored their next. Summerhill scored their first point of the half from Darragh Tormey in the six minute following a good run forward by Daragh McVann fully. Summerhill then had a couple of goal chances in this period which they failed to convert. The Kells keeper made a good save from Manny Magno and referee Frank Scully also waved away a strong appeal for a penalty as Manny Magno was bundled over as he ran through on goal.  

In the 10th minute of the half Paddy McGrath was replaced by Liam Shaw and Liam fired over with his first touch to cut the Kells lead back to two. It was good to see you Liam back in the Summerhill jersey, having just returned the previous day from his travels in Australia. 

The game turn scrappy at this stage with both sides guilty of squandering a number of good scoring chances. A Ross Tallon free in the 17th minute cut the Kells lead to just a single point as we headed down the home straight. However it was the Kells side who finished the strongest scoring 4 of the last 5 points.  Summerhill only point in the final 10 minutes coming from fullback Jack Davis. A Kells point in the 33rd minute of the half pushed the lead out to four points and finally secured them the win.  

What about two minutes left on the clock Summerhill’s Cathal Brien suffered what looked like a serious leg injury and had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher. This certainly put a dampener on the evening, and we wish Cathal well and hope the injury is not as bad as it looks. Full time score Summer Hill 2-10, Gaeil Colmcille 2-14. Next up for Summerhill in two weeks time is round two versus Dunshaughlin. 

Team: Robbie McDonnell, Darren Chapman, Jack Davies (0-1), Darragh Loughry, Eamonn Ryan (0-1), Conor Ryan, Dara McVann, Ciaran Gillespie, Paddy McGrath, Daragh Tormey (0-1), Manny Magno (1-1), Conor Summerville (0-2, 1f), Ross Tallon (1-3, 1f), Luke Moran. 

Subs. Padhraig Geraghty for Ciaran Gillespie, Liam Shaw (0-1)for Paddy McGrath, Paul Rispin for Luke Moran, Pauric Ennis for Cathal Brien.