Post date: Mar 1, 2011 8:32:50 AM
U16 League Div.5
Cúchulainn Gaels 3-3 Ellistown 4-7
A spirited display by a younger and physically smaller Gaels saw them come up just short in their first game of the league in Kildangan on Saturday last. Containing 11 Kildangan players in the starting 13, The Gaels got off to a bad start and were 1-2 down in the opening 5 minutes; however a goal from Jack Behan and points from Conor Hyland and Robert Hanley got their team off the mark. Two goals from Ellistown left them ahead 3-5 to 1-3 at half time.
The Gaels started the second-half with renewed determination. The full back line of Eddie Bond, Michael Howard and Daniel Howard were giving nothing away and scores were hard to come by. Robert Hanley scored a superb goal to give The Gaels renewed hope. Ellistown hit back with a goal and a point of their own, but The Gaels refused to lie down and when Conor Hyland smashed home a goal with a few minutes to go an upset looked possible. Time ran out however but the lads can be proud of their display and can look forward to the rest of the league with confidence. Best for the Gaels were Daragh Gilbert as always, Michael and Daniel Howard, Barry Leavy, Brandon Foley, Tommy Leahy, Conor Hyland and Robert Hanley. Next game is away to Caragh, Saturday 5th March
Under 14 Féile
Balyna 5-15 Cúchulainn Gaels 3-3
The first game of the year for the under 14 team in the Féile competition saw Cúchulainn Gaels comprehensively beaten by a much fitter Balyna side. Cúchulainn Gaels trailed by 4 points at the interval and came out the stronger in the 2nd half to bring the margin down to 2 points, this resurgence was short lived as they started to tire in the last 20 minutes. We had no answer to our opponents who finished the stronger and inflicted the most damage in the last quarter to win with plenty in hand.
Robert Hewison, Michael Howard and Josh Clinton were well on top in the backs and Robert Hanley, Conor Mulholland and Ryan Moran constantly threatened up front.
With the cobwebs now cleared we can hopefully look forward to an improved performance against Castledermot this Sunday.
Scorers for CÚCHULAINN GAELS ; Ryan Moran 1-0, Shane Smyth 0-2 & Conor Hyland 2-1.