The u10s were in flying form following their recent success after their South-east conquests last weekend. The u11 management shied have known there was something up when they were asked to take up a challenge against their younger counterparts. It was a clever move by the u10 management who were surely aware that the u11s were very much depleted due to a clashing of a school event across town at which many of the u11s would take part. Still undaunted and oozing of confidence the u11s took up the gauntlet and sauntered into what could only be described as a 'cauldron of fire' . The u10s were clearly up for it as was evident by a very vocal sideline. Manager Darren Kelly was either totally focused on driving on his charges or else uptight about the afternoons championship match between his home team of Tippereary and the rebels of Cork. Either way attempts to influence the referee acted as an extra man for the u10s. The complacency of the u11s also worked to the advantage of the u10s...Eoin O'Brien was obviously inspired by his fathers work ethic at the previous Fridays Senior encounter and was like the proverbial bee as he latched onto and tunnelled into rucks for anything he could find. He took the hits too and drove his team to a landmark victory. Daniel McCormack, Kirrills Doubjivenko and Jack Johnson were ruthless in their tackling as the u11s forwards struggled to get to grips with the game. Fionn Lawlor and Josh Hynes (u11s) did all they could to forge a winning performance but with Stephen Butler, Conor Murphy and James Hollohan (u10s) all on form it was futile. Still after all the hurling the u11s led the u10s by 2-0 to 0-2 at half time.
The second half saw the 10s come out livelier than ever. A trademark run and strike by O'Brien early in the half was deemed to have gone inside the post by the umpire influenced by the tetchy Darren Kelly (u10s) both overruling the referees decision that it had been deflected for 65 off u11s defender Ben Little who was superb all morning. The 11s felt hard done by and Conor Daly, Philip Phelan and Brandon Wall all raised their game to pile on the pressure on the u10s defence but long range strike by Stephen Butler slipped through Orestes Balysy (u11) goal and put the younger team a goal to the good. 2-3 to 2-0. Kevin O'Connor picked up the mantle for the 11s now and powered into the next few tackles clearing the way for Josh Hynes to make a few attempts at the goal. Brandon Wall popped a further point to reduce the deficit to 2points. But with the 11s on the ascendancy the heavens opened up and a deluge of rain prompted the u10s mentor -and thorn in the side of any referee - Darren Kelly, call for the game to be halted!!. (Smart boyo..lets see how vocal he is Semple Stadium at the Cork v Tipp match later today!!). With the rain pouring down..and pressure from the line..not the mention pity on the younger ones... a very capable referee blew up the game EARLY and hence awarded the u10s victory on this occasion. A rush to the nearest shelter was too late as the players were saturated but it certainly didn't dampen the spirits of the u10s who gleefully relished in their victory. U10s can do no wrong these days and the u11s will know never to be complacent going to any game again. The best lessons are learned the hard way.
Well done 10s..keep up the good work and listen to your mentors ( although its harder not listen to them in some cases - Darren Kelly!!)
The second half saw the 10s come out livelier than ever. A trademark run and strike by O'Brien early in the half was deemed to have gone inside the post by the umpire influenced by the tetchy Darren Kelly (u10s) both overruling the referees decision that it had been deflected for 65 off u11s defender Ben Little who was superb all morning. The 11s felt hard done by and Conor Daly, Philip Phelan and Brandon Wall all raised their game to pile on the pressure on the u10s defence but long range strike by Stephen Butler slipped through Orestes Balysy (u11) goal and put the younger team a goal to the good. 2-3 to 2-0. Kevin O'Connor picked up the mantle for the 11s now and powered into the next few tackles clearing the way for Josh Hynes to make a few attempts at the goal. Brandon Wall popped a further point to reduce the deficit to 2points. But with the 11s on the ascendancy the heavens opened up and a deluge of rain prompted the u10s mentor -and thorn in the side of any referee - Darren Kelly, call for the game to be halted!!. (Smart boyo..lets see how vocal he is Semple Stadium at the Cork v Tipp match later today!!). With the rain pouring down..and pressure from the line..not the mention pity on the younger ones... a very capable referee blew up the game EARLY and hence awarded the u10s victory on this occasion. A rush to the nearest shelter was too late as the players were saturated but it certainly didn't dampen the spirits of the u10s who gleefully relished in their victory. U10s can do no wrong these days and the u11s will know never to be complacent going to any game again. The best lessons are learned the hard way.
Well done 10s..keep up the good work and listen to your mentors ( although its harder not listen to them in some cases - Darren Kelly!!)