Light Blues through to Semi-final Stage as Colmcilles rue chances Cambridge Parnells 0.12 : St Colmcilles 1.08 Parnells ensure they remain on track to regain the title they held in 2007 by defeating St Colmcilles in a game that kept the attendance captivated throughout. The Cambridge side were pushed all the way. Without the services of Chris Henegahan and ace attackers, Pádraigh Finn and Richie Austria, they will be pleased the team battled tooth and nail all the way. Superior fitness helped the winners but in fairness to Colmcilles their display was their best of the season. Colmcilles came agonisingly close in this encounter and Bainisteóir, Paddy White deserves praise for the way he has brought his team on these past couple of months. The second minute the game at Sundon Park saw Colmcilles midfielder, Paul Coleman, lofted a high ball goalwards. Parnells' goalkeeper, John Greaigs momentarily hesitated and corner forward Aaron Ó Byrne was on hand to fist the dropping the ball to the net. Then Paul Dolan playing in the strange position for him, no 11, scored a brilliant point from 40 metres and the St Albans side could do no wrong. That statement is not entirely true as Colmcilles wasted good approach work by shooting several wide. Gary Murray opened Parnells' account in the 12th minute when he turned his opponent and pointed. Greg Treanor narrowed the margin with a point after a good movement between the winners' corner forwards, Darren Ó Loane and Tomás Harrington. Parnells were clawing themselves back into the game and would have been happy to be only two points behind at the interval. Scores from Neil Gallagher at corner forward, Paul Armstrong and Ó Byrne helped Colmcilles to 1.05 at the break. Parnells tally was six points. Two of those came from frees, needlessly given by the Colmcilles' backs. The second half was not long on when Dolan intercepted a Parnells' passing movement to point. Colmcilles' Coleman and Brian Keegan midfield pairing dominated exchanges but Gary Heavey and Breandan Troy were now beginning to rule matters in the middle of the field. They were splendidly supported by the half-back trio Máirtín Ó Connell, Conor Ó Carroll and Keith Flanagan. Substitute, John Ennis opened the Light Blues 2nd half account with a point. The pass came from Ó Loane who had a royal battle all afternoon with opponent James McCaffrey. Indeed, McCaffrey, Neil Whitworth and Thomas Cooney did well to minimise the threat of Harrington and Liam Ó Rourke who with O Loane form a dynamic trio. Ó Rourke gave the pass to the in-rushing Ó Carroll who pointed to bring parity to the score. From Tony Caines' kick-out, Colmcilles' no 6, Chris Moyles surged downfield with the ball. A score seemed on but he seemed to loose his footing whilst about to shoot and the ball went badly wide. Each of the full forward line had their name on the scoreboard after Ó Rourke fisted over just one minute later for the winners. Points were exchanged in a short spell when Harrington availed of loose marking in the Colmciles' defence and at the other end Coleman magnificently pointed a 35 metres free. The last fifteen minutes saw Parnells excel with their passing as Ó Loane pointed from a free. Still, Colmcilles' never-say-die qualities saw them battle strongly and Coleman pointed with four minutes remaining. Minors from Harrington and Ó Rourke seemed to ensure a Parnells victory. But amidst heightening excitement, a Colmcilles last ditch effort to secure victory saw Dolan scorch the crossbar but over for a point to leave the narrowest of margins between the sides. Colmcilles' spirits won't be disappointed for too long. The club is surely on the come-back trail and silverware might yet find its way back to Cotlandswick. For Parnells, Conor Leneghan, Roman Gilsevan and Kevin Fahy were rock solid all day. Seán Lavery, Micheal Grimes and Brian Gallagher ('till he retired) showed traditional Colmcilles' battling qualities. Réiteóir, Michael McCarey (St Vincents). Herts GAA Results: SFC, Cambridge Parnells 0.12 : St Colmcilles 1.08 Fé 16 Football League, St Dympnas 2.10 : St Colmcilles 5.06 Fixtures: Wed 1st July, 7pm, Fé 16 Football League, St Colmcilles v St Josephs (Cotlandswick); 03/04 July, Fé 14 Féile Peil na n-Óg in Kildare; Sat 04 July, 1pm, Fé 8/10 Blitz at Bletchley with visiting teams St Dympnas, Glen Rovers and St Josephs Sat/Sun 04/05 July, referees' course at Cotlandswick. Tweet

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