Hurlers WinIOMÁINT: Last week the Éire Óg hurlers proved themselves less than
generous hosts when they shamelessly sent their guests home
empty-handed.
Monday they were matched against Glenealy in the Senior League and in
the event delivered a performance which boded well for their
competitiveness in senior ranks.
In the opening stages of the match the visitors were very much in the
driving seat while our lads really struggled to find their rhythm.
Glenealy capitalised on the scoreboard and there were ominous signs of
being over-run. However the Greystones lads began gradually to up the
pace of their effort- their first touch improved and their resistance
toughened with the result that by the 20 minute mark the play had
swung their way. At the short whistle the teams were on equal terms
1-4 to 0-7.
The second half was replete with tackling, spectacular blocking and
fine striking and afforded a very enjoyable spectacle. Even though
the locals had a 3 point lead after 50 minutes the game was still very
much in the melting pot. At this point an Éire Óg victory was ensured
by a Michael Walsh goal. It was a score worthy of its importance and
was one to which the commentators would apply the meaningless epithet
“unbelievable”. Michael, surrounded by defenders, pulled on a hopping
sliotar 12 metres out on the right and less than a metre from the end
line. It struck the net just on the inside of the far post. A
collective sigh of relief amongst the Éire Óg support.
Shane Nolan, Seán Hughes, Danny Nolan and Anto Byrne each contributed
(0-1) and Martin Joyce, who had an excellent game all-round, chipped
in with 0-4. James “Pooch” Cranley, skilful of camán and elusive of
foot, provided 6 points of which 4 came from frees. Anto Byrne had a
forceful presence around the centre where Kevin Byrne also made a
significant mark. James Kelly covered acres of ground in his role as
an attacking half-back and Peter Keane defended tigerishly in the
half-line.
Junior: On Wednesday evening our junior hurlers were at home to
neighbours Kilcoole in the League.
History and contiguity have invested meetings between Éire Óg and
Kilcoole with a piquant rivalry so, whatever else can be said,
contests between these sides are seldom dull.
Wednesday’s game followed largely in this tradition.
The visitors were slower to settle than the hosts and as a result had
fallen 5 points behind at the break. At that stage they seemed to be
on their way to a comprehensive defeat. However, shortly after the
resumption the aspect of the match changed dramatically; a seemingly
innocuous ball from a long-distance Kilcoole free found its way
through a confusion of competing camáin straight to the net.
This was the tinder needed, the game immediately burst into competitive game.
A reinvigorated Kilcoole had the locals on the backfoot for a period
in the aftermath and succeeded in going 2 points ahead. This
dominance ended with a goal from the excellent Kristian “Buster” Flynn
(1-3) which was the near mirror image of the Kilcoole goal.
This was followed by an exchange of scores, which included a goal from
Stephen O’Neill (1-1), that ended with Éire Óg 4 points to the good.
A trademark goal from Paulie Sutton with his first touch off the bench
gave the Éire Óg following a sense of security which soon proved
itself to be somewhat false. Kilcoole fought back and the final
whistle saw our lads clinging desperately to a 2 point lead. (3-8 to
2-9).
The last Greystones score was a beautifully delivered point from
Ciarán Goff. Other scorers were Martin Joyce (0-2) and Danny Nolan
(0-1). Barney Carroll was sound in his unaccustomed role of full-back
and he had an excellent shield in Daniel “Doc” O’Connor at
centre-back. Stephen O’Neill did very well in only his second game
after a long absence. Tom Elliot defended well at corner-back and Dec
Byrne showed no ill-effects after a prolonged lay-off due to a broken
thumb.
COMHBHRÓN: Esther (Essie) Gammell who was buried on Good Friday was a
sister of Club President Danny Hatton and mother of well-known former
Kilcoole and County players John and Derek. The Club extends its
sincerest sympathies to the Gammell and Hatton families.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh anam Essie. on the Double