St Colmcille’s up for the challenge

ST COLMCILLE’S could be set for a quick return to Division 1 after they moved into a challenging position following this win over the Division 2 table-toppers and previously unbeaten St Michael’s at Piltown.

The hosts had to win it the hard way, though, after having Ruairi O’Grady red-carded in the second half.

The sides were level on four occasions in the opening quarter before St Colmcille’s eventually went on to lead 0-10 to 0-7 at the break.

Within two minutes of the restart the home side had doubled their lead following a goal from Ben Brennan.

However, the Carlanstown men responded in fine fashion with a goal and three points to be level by the 37th minute.

It was St Colmcille’s who responded best following the sending-off and with Brennan taking his tally to 2-4 and James Conlon also prominent in attack Des Lane’s side kicked on for a deserved victory. ST COLMCILLE’S: J Brown; A Lynch, J McDonnell, C Ward; C Hilliard 0-1, J Sweeney, E Woods 0-2; C O’Byrne, R McCloskey; R O’Grady, J Reynolds, D O’Byrne 0-1; I Mullen, B Brennan 2-4, J Conlon 0-5: Subs: C Kelly 0-1 for McCloskey, M Whearty for Reynolds. ST MICHAEL’S: D O’Connell; A Reilly, J Reilly, S Briody; C Drew, M Halpin, R Cassidy 0-1; P O’Connell 0-4, F O’Reilly; JB O’Reilly, D Lynch 1-1, R Lynch 0-3; R Reilly 0-1, O Meehan 0-3, S McDonnell. Subs: S McCormack for Briody, B Tobin for McDonnell.