Graigue Ballycallan 2-18 Emeralds 2-17
After a day of torrential rain, the sun came out for a perfect evening for hurling. Emeralds of Urlingford were the hosts in the 3rd and final round of the North Junior A Hurling League. Graigue Ballycallan knew that a win would guarantee a top of the table finish regardless of other results.
The local lads were first out of the blocks with a goal from Conor Murphy after a saved Jason Dermody shot. A point apiece for the teams followed before Emeralds scored an opportunist goal. A pointed free from Conor Murphy was again followed by a second Emerald’s goal. The teams exchanged points with Philly Cahill, Gearoid Murphy and Conor Murphy(3 points) on target for GBC. Graigue Ballycallan gained a foothold on the game as further points from James Smith, Willie O’Connor (0-2) and Conor Murphy sent our lads in at half time ahead by 3 points.
Half-time score GBC 1-12 Emeralds 2-6
Emeralds opened the scoring straight after half time followed immediately by a Conor Murphy free. The teams again exchanged points as Emerald’s took the game by the scruff of the neck to level the game. Emeralds pushed on further and took a 2 point lead heading in to the last 10 minutes. Our lads were not to be denied however, as they dug deep to score a much needed goal through Conor Murphy. The game looked like it was going to end in a draw as Emeralds again levelled from a free, but one more push from Graigue Ballycallan earned Conor Murphy the chance to win the game from a free, and he duly obliged.
This result earned us a top of the table place and we now go on to meet Young Ireland’s in the semi final next Sat 3rd May.
Team and Scorers: PJ Pollard, Mark Fitzpatrick, Anthony Ryan, Daniel Cahill, Eoin Corcoran, John Cleere, Shane Butler, Paddy Kennedy, Philly Cahill (0-1) Gearoid Murphy (Capt.)(0-3), James Smith (0-1), Conor Murphy (2-11 5 frees, 2 65s), Brendan Hayes, Jason Dermody, Philly Heafey.
Subs: Willie O’Connor (0-2) for B. Hayes, Peter Boland for A. Ryan, Joey Corcoran for P. Cahill, Padraig Dunphy, Philip Doheny, James Gleeson, Padharic Tynan, Eamonn Egan.