Graigue Ballycallan U10 team travelled to Clonmel on Saturday morning 16th Aug to participate in the annual St. Mary’s tournament.
Panel of Players: Eoin Egan, Billy O’Neill, Jeff Neary, Billy Egan, Sean Roberts, Aaron McEvoy, Charlie Cleere, Ryan Corcoran, Billy Dowling, Patrick Foley, Conor Walton, Ryan Cody
11am – Abbeyside (Waterford) 2-4 Graigue Ballycallan 0-5
First game was against Abbeyside. With a strong breeze in Abbeyside’s favour and a slow start from GBC, we were always chasing the game. GBC started the second half better with some fine points, but the damage was done in the first half.
Scorers: Billy O’Neill 0-2, Billy Egan 0-1, Jeff Neary 0-1, Sean Roberts 0-1
12.30pm – Graigue Ballycallan 3-1 Clairnbridge (Galway) 1-3
Next up Clairnbridge (Galway), GBC got off to a fine start with Billy Egan scoring 2 goals, Billy O’Neill 0-1, Aaron McEvoy 1-0 and the backs holding strong, holding off pressure from Clairnbridge forwards. Charlie Cleere was well on top in midfield, this was their first win of the day.
1.30pm – Graigue Ballycallan 6-4 Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) 1-0
In this match our backs Ryan Corcoran, Billy Dowling, Patrick Foley & Conor Walton were winning everything Crokes threw at them & Eoin Egan put on a fine display in goal, with his long puck-outs. Charlie Cleere & Billy O’Neill were well on top in midfield, Ryan Cody moving every ball into inside forward line, Jeff Neary on fire, Aaron McEvoy, Sean Roberts getting great scores a semi-final place was in the bag.
Scorers: Jeff Neary 4-1 Charlie Cleere 0-1, Aaron McEvoy 1-1, Billy Egan 1-1
Semi Final – 2pm – Graigue Ballycallan 1-6 James Stephens ( Kilkenny ) 1-3
This was the battle of the cats with everything to play for, half time score GBC 0-4
James Stephens 0-2. The City lads got a great start to the second half scoring a quick goal and the pressure was on. With well taken points from Jeff Neary, Aaron McEvoy, Billy O’Neill & Sean Roberts, we got a breather. With two minutes to go GBC were rewarded a free and Billy Egan stood over this one and rattled the back of the net.
Shield Final – 3pm – Graigue Ballycallan 4-2 Mount Sion (Waterford ) 2-2
25 minutes away from lifting the shield, this was a hard fought win. The boys gave this everything after 80 minutes of hurling throughout the day, they dug deep with great displays from Eoin Egan in goal, the dominant full back line of Ryan Corcoran & Billy Dowling, with the never give up attitude from Conor Walton & Patrick Foley on the half back line, the physical presence of Billy Egan & Billy O’Neill in midfield, the ever alert half forward line of Ryan Cody & Sean Roberts and the untouchable full forward line of Aaron McEvoy & Jeff Neary, after losing Charlie Cleere early in the game due to illness, this was to be Graigue Ballycallan’s day.
Scorers: Jeff Neary 3-0, Billy Egan 1-0, Sean Roberts 0-1, Aaron McEvoy 0-1
We look forward to our next outing with the remainder of our U10’s taking part in Mullinahone tournament on 30th August.