St. Michaels 1-13, St. Colmcilles 2-14  
      
St. Michaels put in a much improved performance from their previous outing in Kilmainhamwood however the outcome was the same in this back league fixture played in ideal conditions in Piltown on Friday evening last.

The home side triumphed by four points after a contest that was entertaining and close throughout. The sides were level on four occasions in the opening quarter following points from Peter O'Connell (0-2), Oran Meehan (0-2) and Ronan Lynch (0-1) all got on the scoresheet for St. Michaels. St. Colmcilles picked off some fine points from play and finished the half stronger outscoring their opponents 0-5 to 0-2 to lead by three at the interval, 0-10 to 0-7.

Within two minutes of the restart the home side had stretched their lead to six points after found the net for their opening goal. St. Michaels to their credit responded well hitting 1-3 without reply to level the match at 1-10 apiece after 37 minutes. Ronan Lynch sent over the opener from a free, this was followed 30 seconds later by a massive effort from Peter O'Connell from mid-field and Davy Lynch rattled the net from close range with only the 'keeper to beat to leave one between the sides.

The comeback was complete when Ronan Lynch left it level pegging on 39 minutes from a dead ball. St. Colmcilles were reduced to 14 men after 42minutes when their no.10 received a straight red, however as often happens in such cases, St. Michaels made little use of the extra man and at times it seemed like the home side were benefiting from an extra player as they hit 1-1 in a two minute spell to restore their advantage.

St. Michaels fought back with a point from Ronan Cassidy and were unlucky when two efforts came off the uprights and two more fell short into the keepers hands. The home side were gifted their next point as a stray pass in the St. Michaels defence fell kindly for the home side and they duly popped over the black spot for a four point cushion. O'Connell and Ray Reilly tagged on two more points for the losers, however the home side retained possession as the clock ticked down and held on for the win.                                                        

St. Michaels: Darren O'Connell; Alan Reilly, Jamie Reilly, Sam Briody; Christopher Drew,    Matthew Halpin, Ronan Cassidy (0-1); Peter O'Connell (0-4), Felim O'Reilly; J.B. O'Reilly, Davy Lynch (1-1), Ronan Lynch (0-3); Ray Reilly (0-1), Oran Meehan (0-3), Shane McDonnell.

Subs: Shane McCormack for Sam Briody, Ben Tobin for Shane McDonnell.                                                                                                                                 

Referee: Jack Gordon  

Report and photo Pascal Reilly                                  

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