Under 13 Blitz Match Reports

Post date: Aug 19, 2013 10:21:50 AM

Cúchulainn Gaels took part in the South Board Under 13 Blitz at the weekend, playing two games in Ballykelly on Saturday and qualifying for the final in Hawkfield on Sunday. With most of the players playing together on the amalgamated team for the first time, and also playing their first games on a full sized pitch this was a real test for all involved. They proved however, that they were ready for the test and passed with flying colours.

Here is how the games went.

Cúchulainn Gaels v Robertstown (at Ballykelly 17-8-13)

Cúchulainn Gaels opened their campaign with a comprehensive win against Robertstown. Early goals from Nathan Kirwan, Jamie Lyons and Eoin O’Fearghaill put the Gaels firmly in control as Robertstown struggled. Ethain Rowley, Jamie Hall and Ben Keogh worked hard during this period and points followed from Oran Donnelly and Robert McGrath to put the Gaels 5:05 to 0:02 in front at the break.

Whatever Robertstown had in their water bottles certainly worked because they got a new lease of life in the second half, scoring 1:03 in the opening minutes. A Jamie Lyons goal stopped the rot and Oran Phelan and Stephen Breen began to dominate for the Gaels. Robertstown hit two more points before the final whistle sounded for a 6:05 to 1:07 win for the Gaels.

Cúchulainn Gaels v Ballykelly (at Ballykelly 17-8-13)

The Gaels then faced Ballykelly who had accounted for Ballyteague in their opening game. Eoin O’Fearghaill and Robert McGrath put the Gaels ahead early on after great work by Ethain Rowley and Pat Martin.

Ballykelly then began to dominate at mid field and scored 1:02 despite the best efforts of Ben Keogh and Conor Lindy in the Gaels defence. A Nathan Kirwan goal was followed by a pointed free from Robert McGrath, but the home side got in for a late goal to go in 2:03 to 1:04 ahead at the break.

On the restart, Jamie Lyons goaled after good work by Aaron O’Connor and Ryan Scanlon, however Ballykelly quickly pointed to level the game. Robert McGrath put the Gaels ahead with a fine point, this was quickly matched by the home side despite hard work by Josh Burns in the Gaels defence. Jamie Lyons goaled, once more Ballkelly showed their spirit and rattled the Gaels net to equalise. With time just up Oran Phelan latched onto a ball on the wing and it was delivered into the square where Brooklyn Brennan managed to get a toe to it and knock it over the line. The final minute was nerve jangling, but the Gaels held out for a hard fought win on a final score of 4:05 to 3:05.

Cúchulainn Gaels v Rheban-Final (at Hawkfield 18-8-13)

The Gaels travelled to Hawkfield on Sunday morning to take on Rheban in the final. This proved to be an enthralling game with some fantastic football played by both teams and some outstanding individual displays.

The Gaels got the perfect start with a Brooklyn Brennan shot deceiving the Rheban goalkeeper and dropping into the net in the opening minute. Rheban pointed and missed a number of chances during a period of dominance but great credit must go to the Gaels defence where Conor Lindy and Josh Burns were outstanding. With Oran Phelan, Pat Martin and Eoin O’Fearghaill picking up lots of ball around the middle of the field, the Gaels began to regain control.

Robert McGrath moved to full forward and soon kicked a fine point. The same player then won a long ball on the edge of the square before turning the full back and firing a low shot to the bottom corner of the net to make it 2:01 to 0:01 as we crossed the mid-point of the half. Rheban then took over and scored three points without reply before dealing the Gaels a hammer blow with a goal with the last kick of the half. With the sides level at 2:01 to 1:04 it was all to play for in the second half.

Rheban opened brightly and had a goal and a point scored before the Gaels seemed to realise the game had restarted. Jamie Lyons steadied the Gaels with two points before Rheban goaled again to go five ahead. Eoin O'Fearghaill sent a long ball into the square and Brooklyn Brennan got a foot to it to bring the Gaels closer. Jamie Lyons then sparkled to life and scored no less than 1:05 in the space of ten minutes with Nathan Kirwan chipping in as well.

Rheban then replied with a goal and a point to leave it 4:10 to 4:06 as we entered the final minutes. Pat Martin scored a fine point to put the Gaels five up, but Rheban goaled once more to leave just two points in it. Ethain Rowley, Jamie Hall and Oran Donnelly worked hard to hang on to the narrow lead and the final whistle was a welcome sound as the Gaels won on a score line of 4:11 to 5:06.

Joint captains Robert McGrath and Jamie Lyons collected the trophy at the end of a busy, but successful, weekend’s football.

Reports by Declan McGrath.