Cill na Martra 6-21, Shamrocks 3-11
Just like they did at u14 level 2 years ago to this group, Cill na Martra ended Shamrocks interest in the football championship with this thoroughly convincing win over the hosts in Shanbally on Saturday evening. Cill na Martra just had too much football skill and scoring ability for the Shamrocks lads who once again tried hard all through but came up against a superior team on the day, a team who will be hard to beat in the C grade on this display.
Shamrocks played against the breeze in the first half and did most of their scoring in a 5 minute spell mid way through the half, scoring some nice points from Cillian Hayes, Shane Downey and Dylan O’Flaherty. However, either side of this Cill na Martra controlled the game and scored 1-6 before the Shamrocks burst and more importantly they also scored 2-1 in the lead up to halftime and those 3 goals gave them a nice cushion at HT, 3-7 to 0-4.
The second half was very high scoring from both sides but in reality, Cill na Martra were in total control all through. The closest Shamrocks came to them, even playing with the wind, was 10 points, 3-11 to 1-7. Cill na Martra scored their 5th goal shortly after, Shane Downey burst through for Shamrocks 2nd goal straight after but that really was as good as it got. Cill na Martra controlled the skies, especially on their own kickouts, fed their forwards and they were far too slick and strong for the Shamrocks backs. In fact, they put on a shooting clinic, scoring 3-14 against the wind and barely kicking a wide, if at all. Shamrocks at the other end tapped on a few consolation points and another goal from Downey but this game was over a long way out.
