MINOR A HURLING COUNTY SEMI-FINAL - MW HIRE DUNMORE, WED OCT 25
rEFEREE - JOHN WALSH
O'LOUGHLIN GAELS 3-19 TO 1-9 GRAIGUE/BALLYCALLAN
Back Row l-r: Ryan Poyntz, Ben Maher, Johnny Collins, Podge Nolan, Barry Lawlor, Fiachra O'Callaghan, Joe 'Spuddy' Murphy, Dacel Fwamba, Eoin O'Shea, Joe 'Frube' Murphy, Ronan Buckley (Capt.), Odhrán Lawlor, Jordan Molloy, Jamie Young, David Fogarty, Luke Hogan, Adam Flynn, Owen Wall, Jack Kearns, Robert Boyd. Front Row l-r: Jamie Malone, Conor Heary, Niall Higgins, Jamie Ryan, Mathew Russell, Conor Kelly, David McCormack, Seán Kenny, Oisin Murphy, Mikey Butler, John Nolan, Sean Baird.
This was the quintessential semi-final performance. A team that had nothing on their minds from the outset but to get to the the County Minor Huring Final on Sunday against the old foe James Stephens GAA. Within in 30 seconds of the throw-in Man of the Match Eoin O'Shea gathered and pierced the Ballycallan defence and rifled to the net. No one in the strong attendance was under any illusions about what was to come. It was relentless...the boys played with a combined force that was never going to be broken. The suggestion from the final score that the opposition was weak couldnt be further from the truth..Graigue/Ballycallan are a formidable side with some fine players but nothing could have prepared them for what was to come.
Conor Kelly added to the score next with a fine point..the u16 star causing all kinds of problems for the Ballycallan defenders. No full back line will relish coming up against this O'Loughlin GAels full forward line of Eoin Wall, Conor Kelly & Ben Maher...with speed and guile that yielded 1-12 between them (including 4 placed balls from Ben Maher). If that wasnt enough to deal with the half forward line , including late replacement Adam Flynn (0-1) for E O'Shea, produced another 2-5 between them!.
Back in mid-field Jordan Molloy and Luke Hogan dominated. Jordan popped up everywhere. He's pin point intelligent passing laying the platform for the forwards scorefest and managed to squeeze in 2 points of his own for good measure. It was some performance by the lad. Not one player throughout the field could be faulted for their efforts. The message clearly from the line was work rate will yield reward.... and work they all did. Jamie Ryan hooked and blocked at wing forward putting every clearance under severe pressure forcing many errors or just stifling any opportunuity for a Ballycallan attack. When an attack did transpire the defensive unit of Conor Heary, Sean Kenny, Oisín Murphy, Mikey Butler, Ronan Buckley and Barry Lawlor were on it like wildfire. Barry Lawlor was emmense..he has grown in to his full back role with natural maturity. Conor Heary pulled the strings around centre back and the support play from mid-field demonstrated a unified approach that this group has in achieving their ultimate goal.
Goal Keeper David McCormack pulled off a fine save on the 10th minute of the second half when Ballycallan were endeavouring to make an impact. It was justice for a fine keeper who rarely gets the credit for safeguarding this teams net..when called upon he produces the goods.
We now look forward to a County Final on Sunday (Nowlan Park at 1pm )against James Stephens. It's not to be missed...They deserve a win but still need to put in the hard yards for 65minutes or so. Nothing will come easy and James Stephens will not be there to make up numbers. Full concentration..committment and hurling guile will be required...and full support too.
Well done all...lovely hurling.
Conor Kelly added to the score next with a fine point..the u16 star causing all kinds of problems for the Ballycallan defenders. No full back line will relish coming up against this O'Loughlin GAels full forward line of Eoin Wall, Conor Kelly & Ben Maher...with speed and guile that yielded 1-12 between them (including 4 placed balls from Ben Maher). If that wasnt enough to deal with the half forward line , including late replacement Adam Flynn (0-1) for E O'Shea, produced another 2-5 between them!.
Back in mid-field Jordan Molloy and Luke Hogan dominated. Jordan popped up everywhere. He's pin point intelligent passing laying the platform for the forwards scorefest and managed to squeeze in 2 points of his own for good measure. It was some performance by the lad. Not one player throughout the field could be faulted for their efforts. The message clearly from the line was work rate will yield reward.... and work they all did. Jamie Ryan hooked and blocked at wing forward putting every clearance under severe pressure forcing many errors or just stifling any opportunuity for a Ballycallan attack. When an attack did transpire the defensive unit of Conor Heary, Sean Kenny, Oisín Murphy, Mikey Butler, Ronan Buckley and Barry Lawlor were on it like wildfire. Barry Lawlor was emmense..he has grown in to his full back role with natural maturity. Conor Heary pulled the strings around centre back and the support play from mid-field demonstrated a unified approach that this group has in achieving their ultimate goal.
Goal Keeper David McCormack pulled off a fine save on the 10th minute of the second half when Ballycallan were endeavouring to make an impact. It was justice for a fine keeper who rarely gets the credit for safeguarding this teams net..when called upon he produces the goods.
We now look forward to a County Final on Sunday (Nowlan Park at 1pm )against James Stephens. It's not to be missed...They deserve a win but still need to put in the hard yards for 65minutes or so. Nothing will come easy and James Stephens will not be there to make up numbers. Full concentration..committment and hurling guile will be required...and full support too.
Well done all...lovely hurling.
Manager: Brian Dowling
Selectors: Paul Phelan, Paul Cleere, Conor Bergin, James O'Keefe
Mentors: John Sheridan, Eoghan Croughan.
Sponsors : MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre
Selectors: Paul Phelan, Paul Cleere, Conor Bergin, James O'Keefe
Mentors: John Sheridan, Eoghan Croughan.
Sponsors : MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre