O'Callaghan's Mills got off to a winning start against The Banner in the 1st round of the U21C championship this Saturday afternoon in the The Banner.

With only 17 players available today, the management team of Conor Rocky Cooney, Rob Madden and Martin McKeogh still had a difficult task of picking a team.

The Banner started brightly and scored 1st with an early point. Colm Cleary partnered by the hard working Dan Burke in the 2 man full forward then registered the 1st of his 3 goals of the day. The Banner looked lively early on and moved the ball well through the lines scoring the next 3 points. In fact, the Mills could thank a brillant Mikey Canny point blank save from Clare star Shane Meehan to be only 1 point behind after 7 minutes. And from being almost a goal down, the Mills found themselves a goal up after Colm Cleary got in for his 2nd goal as the conditions worsened. Colm Cleary kept the scoreboard ticking over from placed balls, and Henry McGrath and Darragh Moroney got 2 excellent points to give us a 2-06 to 6 pt lead at half time.

Playing with a considerable wind in the 2nd half, and with Shane Meehan moving to midfield, The Banner scored the 1st 3 points of the 2nd half. Cormac Murphy converted a 65 into the conditions, to settle the Mills after 5 mins, a score that was badly needed. This seemed to settle us and Henry McGrath got his 2nd of the day shortly after. The Banner responded again before Mark Crehan at wing forward put 4 between the sides again. Darragh Moroney added his 2nd point before Mark Crehan put some distance between the sides with a goal. The Banner immediately followed with a goal of their own to give themselves hope. On 27mins Colm Cleary finished smartly from the edge of the square to complete this hatrick, but again the Banner goaled again immediately. In the end the Mills had done enough finishing in a 4-11 to 2-13 win. They are now through to the semi final. Well Done to all involved.

Panel today Mikey Canny, Mikey McMahon, Stephen Marsh, Liam Boyce, Cormac Murphy (0-1 65), Billy Scanlon, Fionn Hickey, Cathal McNamara, Henry McGrath (0-2), Darragh Moroney (0-2), Mark Crehan (1-1) Dan Burke, Colm Cleary (3-05) (4 frees) - Oisin Cleary (50mins), Noel McGrath, Michael Conway, & Jack Moloney.