The Neale 6 -04 Mayo Gaels 8 – 04
The U-10s went to the Neale on Thursday evening to play a very strong home team.
The Neale won the throw in, strode up the field and calmly drove the ball over the bar.
But our lads hadn’t read the script and proceeded to give an absolutely astonishing display of commitment and determination. Every ball was contested fiercely. Every player showed enormous courage. They tackled like demons. Within 5 minutes Gaels led 1-1 to 0-1 a goal by John Finn. The Neale responded and drove back up the field to score a goal. Gaels came straight back down and scored another by Gavin Murphy. And that was the pattern for the entire game. It was a brilliant game of frantic, end to end stuff.
At half time we were leading by 5 points, we stormed into the game again, carried the ball at The Neale and maintained our lead as the game wore on. The Neale edged ever closer. Nobody would have complained if our Lads and Girl had yielded. Amazingly, we went up the field from a kick out and scored another cracking goal. Back they came and scored another.
It was nerve wracking stuff for everybody. In the end we scored a marvellous victory, with a score-line of 8-4 to 6-4.
There were heroes everywhere. Luke Commins marshalled the goals bravely. Ciara Brennan was her usual tower of strength at full back. Eoin Keane was rock solid beside her. Dillon Heneghan and Keith Jennings were marvellous in the half back line. Our midfielders Gavin Murphy & John Finn did great work carrying the ball from midfield, Gavin Scoring 2 -03 and John 4 – 00. Andrew Quinn was a revelation in his new role at centre forward and carried the ball quickly. Ciaran Joyce buried a goal and worked hard, Matthew Quinn popped up with a point and Oran Murphy was as dynamic as ever. Debut boy Noel Jennings was superb in defence, and every single player who took the field did wonderfully.
This was the best performance they ever gave. They did us all proud.
Team:
Luke Commins, Eoin Keane, Ciara Brennan, Dillon Heneghan, Keith Jennings, J Finn, John Finn (4-00), Gavin Murphy (2-03), Andrew Quinn (1-00), Matthew Quinn (0-01), Ciaran(1 -00) Joyce, Oran Murphy. Sub: Noel Jennings
