Whitehall Colmcille claim U21C Football Title

Whitehall Colmcille claimed the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Under 21 ‘C’ Football Championship title as they edged Raheny by 2-7 to 0-11 in their entertaining decider at DCU St Claire’s on Saturday afternoon. 

As the final scoreline suggests, the ability of Whitehall to find the net proved the difference between the well-matched sides with both Cian Ashmore and Sean Gannon raising green flags for the winners. 

It was Raheny that played with the wind in the first-half and they opened the scoring through Eoin Prendiville but Colmcille’s ability to retain possession ensured that chances remained at a premium in a cagey opening period. 

The influential Colin McAweeney kicked a brace of two pointers from play for Raheny while Finn Brassil also added to their tally but Ashmore’s goal kept Whitehall right in the mix by the interval as they trailed by just 0-6 to 1-2. 

The nominal hosts played their most compelling football in the third quarter as two McAweeney frees and another Prendiville point pushed them five points clear and seemingly on the road to victory. 

However, a second Whitehall goal through Gannon helped turn the tide back in their favour with their dogged defence keeping Raheny scoreless for the final fifteen minutes. 

This allowed Colmcille to edge closer through frees by Gannon and Ashmore and when talented dual player Jamie Raftery gained tangible reward for his efforts with a brilliant two-pointed score, his side made sure of the win through a late insurance free from Austin Hannon.