Intermediates bow to The Emeralds 30/09/2009

The Intermediate hurlers took on the Emeralds in the 1^st rd of the Championship on Sat. The players played with pride and passion in the opening half and despite shooting a large number of wides went in at the break on level terms. Graig 0-07 Emeralds 1-04. 3points each from Padraig Whelan and Ger Dowling and 1 from Eddie Walsh. On the re-start Graig shot into the lead with 2 points from Eddie Walsh and 1 from Brendan Foley. The Emeralds hit back with 4 unanswered points. The Graig team was struck a severe blow in the 48^th min with the loss of Diarmuid O’Neill through injury and just a few min later Ger Walsh had to leave the field with a shoulder injury. The two lads had been playing extremely well and were a huge loss to the team. In the 52^nd min The Emeralds struck gold with a goal, they added another point before Ger Dowling converted a 21yd free. The Graig men put in a huge effort but lived to rue their wasted chances during their period of supremacy in the 1^st half. Rackard and his men must now prepare for the dreaded relegation final against neighbours Thomastown.