Minor Hurles take Roinn B League Title.

Post date: Oct 19, 2011 2:41:16 PM

Graignamanagh GAA: W/E 21^st October 2011

Minor Hurling Roinn B League Final: St. Fiachra’s Minor Hurlers took on old rivals Mooncoin in the Roinn B League final in Ballyhale on Saturday. A wet and windy day in Ballyhale was always going to make hurling conditions tricky to say the least. Both halves told a story as the scores for St. Fiachra’s were notched up in the first half and the hard graft of holding on for a much deserved League title was the order of the 2^nd half.

Bernard Hennessy got Fiachra’s off the mark with a free in the 1^st minute, followed by a well taken point from play from Edward Murphy in the 4^th. Mooncoin replied with a minor score in the 8^th min. Fiachra’s showed their dominance over the next 20 min with two sweetly taken points each from the right wing by Jamie Byrne and Thomas O’ Donnell. Team Captain lee kinsella struck a brilliant patch when he soloed through and stiched the ball in the Mooncoin net on the 25th min and then converted a close in free, with Mooncoin just tacking on two more points before the break. The Barrowsiders led by 1-07 to 0-3 points at half time and were always going to face stiff opposition in the 2^nd half from the side that knocked our lads out of the Championship as Mooncoin got the wind in their backs. However, what ever challenge was proffered by Mooncoin, was swallowed up by a valiant back six (Peter Kavanagh, Joe Kelly, Ciaran O’Brien, Bernard Hennessy, James Meaney & Thomas Joyce) Plus Sheamus Kavanagh between the posts. In a low scoring affair, every point was going to be an important one and St. Fiachra’s always maintained that lead by notching on a score or two to keep the Suirsiders at bay. Peter Kavanagh and James McCabe made way for Jim Ryan and Ryan O Halloran after the break. The only second half scores came from pointed frees from Lee kinsella and Bernard Hennessy as Mooncoin kept the pressure on with four scores of their own. Seamus Kavanagh pulled off two magnificent saves that definitely ensured Fiachra’s kept a comfortable lead. Lee kinsella had to retire late in the half with a hand injury and Emmet Foley entered the fray. James Doyle and Adam Kennedy worked tirelessly at mid field and Brian Barcoe proved a handful at centre forward.

The match finished 1-09 to 0-07 with a lot of other scoring chances going astray from both sides. The final whistle brought to an end a hard years work from the team and their Mentors and a League title for the Parish. Thanks to the Players and Mentors for their commitment during the year. Thanks to Liam O’Shea, O’Sheas Bar who presented the team with a new set of jerseys recently.

Scores: Lee Kinsella 1-02, Thomas O’Donnell0-02, Jamie Byrne 0-02, Bernard Hennessy 0-02 Edward Murphy 0-01.

Team: Seamus Kavanagh, Ciaran O’Brien, Joe Kelly, Peter Kavanagh, Thomas Joyce, James Meaney, Bernard Hennessy, James Doyle, Adam Kennedy, Thomas O’Donnell, Brian Barcoe, Edward Murphy, Jamie Byrne, Lee Kinsella, James McCabe, Ryan O’Halloran, Jim Ryan, Emmet Foley, Eoin Bolger, Stephen Browne, Patrick Dowling, Sean Doyle, Martin Kelly, Liam Hearne, Patrick Nolan, Gary Maher. Mentors: Pat Nolan, James Phelan, John Doyle, Michael Doyle