Excellent Carrickshock pipped at the post.
Schools Hurling
Nowlan Park again held no joy for the Carrickshock schools team in their Country (Tommy O’Brien) Cup final last Friday evening. They lost out on a scoreline of 4-6 to 3-7 against the same opposition as last week’s Championship final, Graignamanagh / Skeough. If anything, this loss was harder to take, after the boys dominated long periods of the game.
They had the worst possible start, playing with a strong wind they found themselves 1-3 to 0-1 behind after 10 mins. But once Eoghan O’Neill broke through the defence and batted to the net, the Shocks came to life. Eoin Crowley was on fire again, and 3 points from play helped Carrickshock to a 1-5 to 1-4 lead. Darragh O’Dwyer, the first half keeper, again pulled off a couple of outstanding saves to keep it that way till half-time. He even appeared to have saved a point. but the referee deemed it to have crossed the bar.
With the wind at their backs in the 2nd half, an early Graig goal put them 2 up and seemingly on their way. But again Carrickshock dug deep to dominate the next 10 minutes. Denis Walsh and Padraig Lennon were controlling the middle third, and when Padraig sent a long ball in to the unmarked Josh Dineen, he finished brilliantly to the net. With Eoghan O’Neill tormenting their backs, winning and converting frees, Carrickshock pulled ahead 2-7 to 2-4. Ryan Grace was having another stormer in goal with Tomas Barron holding out fiercely at full-back, but with 10 minutes left Graig levelled it, 2-7 to 3-4. After Graig edged in front a Denis Walsh free looked to have sailed over, the white flag was raised, but strangely the referee waved it wide. It was to be a turning point, as Graig held that cushion while Carrickshock piled on the pressure. After a late goal and point left Graig 5 ahead, Eoghan O’Neill dragged Carrickshock back into it, sending a rebound from Padraig Lennon’s close-in free to the net. It was to be the final score of the game, and while Carrickshock may feel that Graig stole this one, we must pay tribute to the Graig boys on their fantastic double. Even when not at their best on Friday, they too worked hard to stay in it at times, and it ultimately paid off.
The club wishes to extend its gratitude to Tom Duggan and Padhraic Moran, teachers at Newmarket and Stoneyford, for their dedication and enthusiasm all year. To reach 3 finals in one year is an incredible achievement. And of course a huge thank you to all the parents for all the travelling to training sessions and matches starting with the early rounds of the football back in October all the way through to last week’s hurling finals.
The full panel: Stephen Neville, Josh Dineen, Larry O’Shea, Oisin Doyle, Jack McGuirk, Eoghan O’Neill, Eoin Crowley, Mason Byrnes, Shane Fennelly, James O’Shea, Patrick Hickey, Adam Long, Tomás Barron, Pádraig Lennon, Conor Brennan, Edward Dwyer, Michael O’Shea, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Tom Lodge, Daire Dwyer, Joseph O’Connell, Ryan Grace, Denis Walsh
Under 14 Hurling
The Under 14s resume their league campaign this Thursday 11th when they take on Sleiverue in Hugginstown at 7.0. No Under-16 or minor games until after the exams.
Underage Training
Training continues as follows, coaches will confirm times and venues::
Under-6: Saturdays Hugginstonwn
Under-8 & 10: Tuesdays & Saturdays
Under-12: Saturdays
Under-14: Saturdays & Wednesdays
Under-16s & Minor: Wednesdays & Sundays
