Report by Philomena Brennan
The third installment in the u-14 GBC v Emeralds saga took place on Monday last when the sides met in Tom Ryall Park for round 5 of the Roinn B Hurling League. Little divided these two very competitive sides when they met in the Féile series of games and a large attendance on a miserable evening looked forward to another tough encounter.
On this occasion the team management adopted a very attacking game plan and this paid dividends in the opening fifteen minutes as GBC went into a 1-6 to 0-2 lead. Aaron Brennan opened their account with a point from a free. Oisín Egan, in fine form on the night, added a point from play followed quickly by another from Killian Egan. The GBC midfield pair of Eamonn Corcoran and Finn Lanigan with great assistance from Simon O’Dwyer was controlling the whole area and limited ball going to the Emeralds forwards.
Killian Egan was rampant at centre-forward and created great chances for GBC which saw Stephen Keoghan score a fine goal, which was awarded after some deliberation between the referee and umpires. Emeralds started making some probing runs towards the GBC goal and after some magnificent defending from Adam O’Brien, Kevin Ging and Alex McCluskey, the visitors eventually hit the locals for two goals in quick succession. This galvanised the GBC boys and two points from Aaron Brennan, a free, and Killian Egan steadied the ship again. Just as half time was approaching a 65 taken by Aaron Brennan went straight to the net to see GBC lead 2-7 to 2-2 at half-time.
If the pace was frantic in the first half, it paled into insignificance in the second half as both sides upped their performances with the enthusiastic crowd offering their vocal support as well. Corner forwards Daniel Lawlor and Paddy Brennan taking advantage of balls being played into their respective corners ,added 1-1 to the GBC tally. Alan Wall’s ability to raise the ball quickly in tight situations put his team mates on the attack time after time. The half back trio of Eoin Delahunty, Aaron Brennan and Simon O’Dwyer were thwarting Emeralds attacks and Adam O’Brien at full back made several fantastic catches which relieved the pressure off a very hard working Jason O’Brien in goal. The introduction of the tenacious Scott Lawlor, a player who never concedes to bigger opponents, added another committed forward to the GBC attack.
Oisín Egan was getting the better of his marker in the corner and was rewarded with a great point after a great delivery from out the field. Emeralds brought the deficit back to two points and the last ten minutes were hurled in a welter of excitement with chances going a begging on both sides. With six minutes of added time, due to a couple of injury delays in the second half, GBC laid everything on the line as forwards and backs alike defended bravely and from a last gasp delivery from mid-field , GBC were awarded a free on the 45. Aaron Brennan’s strike was deflected over the bar to put the elusive three points between the sides and as the final whistle was blown, the local boys celebrated a victory that was well deserved. This was a great team effort and a victory for determination and a “never say die” attitude that is fast becoming a hall-mark of this u-14 team.
Final Score: GBC 4-12 Emeralds 5-6.
Panel: Jason O’Brien, Kevin Ging, Adam O’Brien, Alex McCluskey, Eoin Delahunty, Aaron Brennan, Simon O’Dwyer, Finn Lanigan, Eamonn Corcoran, Alan Wall, Killian Egan, Oisín Egan, Daniel Lawlor, Stephen Keoghan, Paddy Brennan, Scott Lawlor, JJ Ryan, Fionn O’Halloran, Jack Walton, Mark Brennan.
Scorers: Aaron Brennan 1-3(3 frees ,1 65) Daniel Lawlor 2-0, Killian Egan 0-5, Stephen Keoghan 1-1, Oisin Egan 0-2, Paddy Brennan 0-1.
