Cardiff St Colmcilles 1-15 Bristol St Nicks 0-10

With team manager Eoin Butler’s guidance, Cardiff St Colmcilles powered to another Gloucestershire County title with an assured performance that saw them overcome their rivals St Nick’s of Bristol. A large crowd gathered to watch these two teams who were meeting for the third time in three years in the county decider. Cardiff winning by 12 points in 2012 on their way to the club’s first appearance in the All Britain Final with St Nick’s winning in 2013 by a single point.

Cardiff started brightly and had the best of the early exchanges with both Richard Murphy and Kevin Smyth dominating around the middle third, putting Cardiff on the front foot. The first half was a tough, physical game of football with both sides putting in heavy hits. One thing was for sure, every blade of grass covered in progression, was hard earned.

Longford native Martin Flood opened the scoring for Cardiff with a point that would put Paul Bardon in the shade before Gavin Duggan got St Nicks back on level terms with a good solo effort. Another Martin Flood point from a free meant that the Granard man had his eye in and was causing all kinds of trouble for the St Nick’s full back line.

Spectators look on as Cardiff team Manager Eoin Butler surveys from the sideline

At the other end of the field the Cardiff full back line were coping admirably with the direct football coming from St Nicks. Long high ball was being pumped in to the physical St Nicks attack but Cardiff full back Barry ‘Dr McDanger’ McDonnell who didn’t put a foot wrong all afternoon was too strong in the tackle and gobbled up ball after ball. Mark O’Neill and Cathal Garvey in the corners intercepted, blocked and snuffed out attacks and gave great support to the Cardiff half back line when required.

Alan Murphy at centre forward added another point for Cardiff before a long ball in to the Cardiff full forward line was misjudged by the St Nick’s corner back putting Shane Hyland in on goal. Hyland got to the ball before the onrushing goalkeeper and with the deftest of touches flicked the ball over the goalkeeper and into the far top corner. One in the onion bag for the Hylander. It was the type of finish that would have caused the spontaneous combustion of Chris Kamara should he and Jeff have pulled in to Sanatorium Road to enjoy an afternoon of GAA. St Nicks responded with a point from play and a number of scores from placed balls.

Sean Roddy shoots for goal

Cardiff’s movement at midfield was telling as goalkeeper Aidan Farrelly arrowed scud missile like kick outs directly into the stride of Kevin Smyth and Richard Murphy. The Tipperary net minder would surely not have gotten away with them had Obama decided to stick around for another few days. This resulted in a number of scores as Cardiff won there own kick outs and worked the ball up the field with great fluidity. Cardiff centre back Martin Doyle epitomised this as he started a move in his own half back line, carrying the ball, exchanging a number of passes before finding himself kicking an exceptional score at the other end of the field just before half time.

At the break it was a draw game 1-4 to Cardiff 0-7 to St Nicks. The second half picked up right where the first left off with both teams exchanging scores. Sean Roddy and Dan McCool’s relentless and selfless work rate helped to put pressure on the opposition. Sean Roddy utilized his blistering pace as he kicked a great long range score before making a great burst through the heart of the St Nick’s defence and drilling the ball over the bar. St Nicks added a point from play and 2 points from frees to tie the game at 1-7 to 0-10 with 15 minutes to go.

Jimmy Knowles was introduced for Cathal Garvey in defence as St Nicks attacked but would not bother the lads in the scoreboard again as they were rebuffed with each attack with Marty Dolan, Martin Doyle and Ollie Harney turning the screw and dictating the play. With the game in the balance, Cardiff surged forward as St Nicks tired, and Cardiff put some daylight between the teams as Dan McCool tore through the Nicks defence to slot over. The next point of the game came from overseas. The popular Amin Dadger, his father from Iran, his mother from Kilkenny, neither a gaelic football stronghold, found himself in space to take his first score of the game and stretch the Cardiff lead. Just reward for his hard work.

Richard Murphy in full flight

Cardiff were now taking over as Kevin Smyth and Richard Murphy at midfield were exceptional. Physical, intelligent in possession and confident in their ability. Ollie Harney at wing back gave a fantastic ball in to the forward line as Sean Roddy took another fine score. Paul Kennedy, Johnny Hennessy, Kevin Timothy and Des Foley were introduced as fresh legs were on order. Further scores from Martin Flood and a beautiful point from a tight angle from Ollie Harney put the game to bed as the final whistle blew.

Spent bodies and weary legs celebrated as it became clear that 6 months of hard work, dedication and the desire to bring the county title back to Cardiff had paid off. A lot of heart, and high levels of fitness allowed Cardiff to fulfill their potential. Credit must go to the players and to the management of Eoin Butler.

It is now time to refocus, with the upcoming All Britain quarter final on the 12th of October. The club looks forward to the challenge. Colmcilles Abu!

Cardiff St Colmcilles: Aidan Farrelly, Cathal Garvey, Barry McDonnell, Mark O’Neill, Ollie Harney (0-1), Martin Doyle (0-1) Marty Dolan, Richard Murphy, Kevin Smyth, Dan McCool (0-1), Alan Murphy (0-2), Sean Roddy (0-3), Amin Dadger (0-1), Martin Flood (0-5), Shane Hyland (1-1)

Subs: Jimmy Knowles (for C Garvey), Kevin Timothy (For S Hyland), Nevin Riches, Des Foley (For A Dadger), Paul Kennedy (for A Murphy), Ciaran Monaghan, Johnny Hennessy (for M Flood), Shane Galvin, Aidan Watt, Mark Armstrong, Billy Bob Breen, Ryan O’Neill

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