Graigue Ballycallan played Clara in the first round of the Minor Hurling League Roinn B on Monday last. GBC played against a strong breeze in the first half and started brightly with a good point from play from Dylan Lanigan and three from frees by Sean Ryan. Richie Keoghan, Philly Cahill and Geoffrey Maher were hurling well and Clara were kept to four points until late in the half when they scored a scrappy goal. There was reason for optimism at half time as the score was 1-4 to 0-3 with the backing of a strong breeze to come.
Clara opened the second half as they finished the first; despite a good save by Padraig Dunphy the ball ended up in the GBC net. A point from Shane Hennessy and two from Billy Ryan reduced the deficit, but despite a good display by Evan Walsh at corner back and an exhibition of centre back play by Philly Cahill, Clara pushed on to win by 2-10 to 0-9. The score wasn’t an accurate reflection of this game and had they reached their potential, GBC would have been much closer to Clara on the score board at the final whistle.
GBC: Padraig Dunphy, Evan Walsh, Geoffery Maher, Alan Harrison, Conor Flynn, Philly Cahill (0-3 frees), Richie Keoghan, Eamonn Egan, Shane Hennessy (0-1), Alan Hayes, Billy Ryan (0-2), Dylan Lanigan (0-1), Geordan Davis, Niall Buttler, Sean Ryan (0-3).
Subs: Tom Dunphy, Tommy Ronan, Ciaran Hogan, Bill Cuddihy.
