The Colts U14 team finished off 2012 with a fine performance and win against South Sligo on Sunday morning last. The team had a different look again this week with some late cry offs due to illness and even some of those who took to the field were not in full health. This however did not matter as the strength of the squad was again shown in Ballyhaunis with the new starters hitting the ground running.

Right from the kick off the Colts were into their stride with some fine handling and attacking play right throughout the team. With the ball moving through hands at speed they were finding gaps and the first score came from some fine play by Steven McGreal. The Colts didn’t have to wait long to score again and Phelim Browne was next to get his name on the score board, but no extras were added from the boot. The half couldn’t have been going much better for the Colts and every time they had the ball they looked like scoring. Captain Brian Quinn finished one of those attacking moves with a try and again the kicking boots hadn’t arrived. Then as the half time whistle approached Steven McGreal added the next two tries with Brian McGuinness slotting over the conversions for a half time lead of 29-0. Christmas certainly had come early!

The second half started with the weather taking a turn for the worse and the men from South Sligo had changed too. They got their big men running at the Colts and they now found a leaky Claremorris defence. It was that strong running that got South Sligo on the score board after just 3 minutes, and a great kick added the extra two points. The Claremorris men were defending a lot more in this half and South Sligo were gaining in confidence. Phelim Browne helped to settle things down with his second try of the day after some excellent work by the Claremorris backline. The bench was called into action as Daniel Murphy and Brian Quinn had to come off after giving their all as they felt the effects of sickness. In went Alan Thornton and Joe Mc Donagh who had an immediate impact. The last score of the game was finished off by the excellent Jack Ronayne.

In what was a huge team effort it does not seem fair to single anyone out, but the back 3 of Ruairi Merrick Jack Ronayne and Henry Keane defiantly special mention as they worked hard in both defence and attack. The Colts go back to training on Tuesday night before a well-earned Christmas break.