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U14's bow out to strong Fethard outfit
Our U14 team took part in the 2007 Féile na Peil on Bank
Holiday Monday and did themselves proud by winning their
section and qualifying for the semi-finals where they were
pitted against the 2005 U12 champions, Fethard.
Unfortunately, the long trek down to our opponents seemed to
affect our lads as they struggled to get into the game but
they put in a huge last quarter effort to push the victors
all the way before going down by 3 points.
They began the day in Piercestown with a game against St.
Martin's where they began well with a 3-3 to 0-1 victory
with Rhys Clarke, Sean Kearney and Harry O'Riordan scoring
the majors.
Next was the crunch game in the group against Shelmaliers
who had beaten our lads at U12 level by 20 points. This
Sarsfields team is a different opposition and they showed
this by grinding out a one point victory on a 1-2 to 1-1
scoreline with Rhys Clarke getting the all important goal.
Their final game was a 3-7 (Rhys Clarke, Con O'Dúinagain and
Ben O'Brien scoring the goals)to 2-0 win over a gallant
Glynn-Bantown side which meant we qualified for the
semi-final proper in Fethard.
The long trip down seemed to adversely effect our lads as
they looked very sluggish in the opening half against the
Fethard boys who ran up a 1-4 to 0-1 lead at half-time.
However, with a strong wind at our backs hopes were high we
could overturn this deficit. Sadly, we couldn't get those
all important early scores but when Ryan Nolan goaled with 4
minutes to go we were still very much in with a shout.
Despite a couple of great chances in the remaining period,
we just couldn't convert them into scores and when the
referee blew the whistle it was Fethard who were headed for
the final.
Mentors, Brian Walsh, Nicky Doyle and Tadgh O'Corcora can be
immensely proud of the effort of their charges in all 4
games. Ryan Nolan and Ryan Walsh were outstanding in the
backline, Con O'Dúinagain gave faultless displays in
midfield and up front we had plenty of fire power with Rhys
Clarke, Jason O'Dowd and Séan Kearney our leading scorers.
This team has come a long way in the last two years and a
county title is not beyond them if they believe in
themselves. |
