Post date: Jul 5, 2012 6:40:07 AM
Cúchulainn Gaels travelled to Ellistown on Wednesday evening for the first round of the under 13 league. With a number of the panel playing on a full size pitch for the first time and the game being played with just 13-a-side, this was going to be a difficult fixture.
Eoin O’Fearghail announced his arrival to ‘big time’ football with a point in the first minute and Stephen Keogh followed with two more to put the Gaels three points ahead. Ellistown’s reply was swift and deadly as they used the open space well and struck for two quick goals followed by a couple of points.
Jordan Nolan, Fergal O’Mahoney and James Manning were defending valiantly while under big pressure and Daniel Cawley was doing his bit between the posts. Another goal and point widened the gap before the Gaels replied with two late points from Cian Gobbett and Stephen Keogh. That left it 3.3 to 0.5 at the break in favour of the home side.
Robert McGrath switched to midfield with Callum Sourke moving to centre back and the move favoured both players as they both began to dominate their new positions. The teams swapped points before Michael John Prendergast and Cian Gobbett struck for goals to level the game. Oisin Hyland, Harry Arkwright and Hugh O’Mahoney performed superbly as the Gaels pushed on for a win. Points followed from Stephen Keogh, Callum Sourke and Cian Gobbett as the Gaels ran out winners on a scoreline of 2:12 to 3:04.
Great credit must go to the younger players in particular who adapted very well to the open spaces of the full size pitch. It’s great to start the League with a win and we take on Milltown in Athgarvan on Saturday evening (TBC) in the next round.