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Full weekly club notes

November 7, 2018

IOMÁINT Unfortunately at u-14 the hurling resources of Éire Óg and Kilcoole do not allow either of them to field individual teams this season. Sensibly then, they have combined to enter a team under the highly imaginative name of Éire Óg/Kilcoole – importantly it keeps club identity alive in the players' minds – in competitions. While recognising that such co-operation is of great value in furthering goodwill between the clubs the hurling aficionados on both sides would be hoping that it would be only a temporary departure and that each club would be fielding its own side in the near future. As it is, however, the present arrangement has proven itself to be a very worthwhile exercise: the team has been party to some excellent games and young players have been afforded the opportunity of showcasing and improving their already not inconsiderable skills.

 

In the team's opening games of its 2015 campaign it has done battle, and what battles they have been, against 2 of the iconic names in the pantheon of Cill Mantáin hurling viz. Glenealy and St Pats. The game against Glenealy ended in a draw, Glenealy 5-06 EO/K 3-12. Even looking at the score sends a frisson of excitement down ones spine. It tells the story of end to end movement of the sliothar which had the scorekeeper – not having the luxury of an electronic system – struggling to keep the scoreboard abreast of the scoring.

As entertaining a game as one could wish to see at any level with some excellent individual performances from players on both sides.

 

Going into the match against St Pats there was little expectation that the game would reach the same heights of excitement and entertainment as that against Glenealy. In fact it quite matched it and even at times surpassed it. Spectators were treated to 60 minutes replete with the hurling skills of hooking, blocking, defending and long-range point scoring with the added bonus of excellent team work.

Scores were level at 2-5 at the break. In the immediate aftermath of the resumption the EO/K lads got their head nicely in front thanks to great unanswered scores from Shaun Cranley and Glen Ryder. However, St Pats had no intention of giving in without a fight and EO/K were forced into all-hands-to-the-pumps defending. Tension mounted, nerves jangled, the sliothar hovering near the goal-line and good fortune shining. Time running out, St Pats only a point behind, Shaun Cranley goals, an audible sigh of relief from a harassed EO/K support.

The squad: Denis Burke, Neil Browne, Jason Gallagher, Daniel Healy, Shane Ryan, Eoin Byrne, Shaun Cranley, Glen Ryder, Luke Dorgan, Drew Campbell, Cillian Keane, Liam Byrne, Fionn Mansfield.

 

Scoil Chaoimhín has another trophy to place in its cupboard, the Credit Union Cup which was their prize for winning the recent Cumann na mBunscoil hurling blitz in the extensive grounds of the Bray Emmets club. In the preliminary rounds they had victories over St Pats Wicklow who were in the charge of our own Billy Cuddihy who teaches there (naturally this added extra spice to the win!), St Laurences and St Cronans. Neighbours, St Brigids, were the opponents in the final which resulted in a 4 point victory for St Kevins. Three schools from Na Clocha Liatha participated in the tournament and each was backboned by players from Éire Óg.

St Kevins team:Daniel Leahy, Neil Browne, Rory Farrell, Fintan Potts, Kevin Booth, Joe Prendergast, Luke Dorgan, Edward Nicholson, Chase Scully, Daniel Healy, Scott Dalton.

Comhgáirdeachas do na buachaillí uilig agus míle buíochas do'n bhainisteoir, An t-Uasal Mac Carthaigh (múinteoir).

Unfortunately Joe Prendergast received a hand injury which necessitated his going to Crumlin hospital. Guímid biseach tapaidh air. We hope to see him back in action soon.