Graigue Ballycallan under 16’s played out an entertaining league quarter final defeating arch rivals Tullaroan on a full-time score-line of 4-16 to 1-9 in Kilmanagh last Tuesday. Following a county semi-final victory over Barrow Rangers just three days previously, G.B.C stepped onto the field in confident mood.
A tense start to the game saw both sides trading scores, before G.B.C seized control with Jamie Lawlor bagging his first goal of the game and putting the boys four points ahead. They didn’t let up with Killian Egan, Davy Maher and Jamie Lawlor troubling the full-back line of Tullaroan and scoring another 1-3, Lawlor getting his second goal of the game. Colum Prendiville stood up well to the Tullaroan centre-back Tommy Walsh, a county minor with Kilkenny, while Conor Flynn was holding the centre back position well and showing good leadership.
However, Tullaroan weren’t beaten yet and were putting intense pressure on the Graigue full-back line, with goalkeeper Bill Cuddihy making some good reflex saves to leave the score-line at half-time standing at 2-9 to 0-7 in favour of Graigue.
The lads were now going for broke in the second half with Killian Egan, Conor Flynn and Sean Ryan all finding the range perfectly, before Jamie Lawlor completed his hat-trick with a smart finish past the Tullaroan goalkeeper. Dylan Lanigan then put the game beyond doubt scoring a goal to put Graigue twelve points clear. Jesse Roberts and Sean Ryan were hurling strongly in mid-field, scoring and creating chances for the six forwards. Tommy Ronan was solid on the wing and Geordan Davis cleared his lines well. Tullaroan hit numerous shots on goal but huge credit is due to the G.B.C full-back trio of Ger Doheny, Evan Walsh and Tom Dunphy who made some heroic blocks on the Tullaroon forwards. The full-time score-line was 4-16 to 1-9.
Overall, this was a good team performance by the G.B.C lads who will now look forward to a league semi final against Kilmacow in a few weeks time.
The team was: Bill Cuddihy, Tom Dunphy, Evan Walsh, Ger Doheny, Tommy Ronan, Conor Flynn (0-2), Geordan Davis (0-1), Sean Ryan (0-6), Jesse Roberts, Dylan Lanigan (1-0), Colum Prendiville, Ciaran Hogan, Davy Maher (0-3), Killian Egan (0-3), Jamie Lawlor (3-1).
Subs: Aaron Brennan, Luke O’Brien, Davy Hoyne, Daniel Young, James Everard, Peter Murphy, Adam O’Brien, George Murphy.