Report by Martin DelahuntyGraigue Ballycallan U12’s travelled to Ballingarry on Sunday last to compete in the Geoffrey Croke Tournament. The boys played their first game against the hosts and this turned out to be the match of the day. Ballingarry opened the scoring early with a point from a free but our lads began to dominate with the midfield pairing of Oisín Egan and Scott Lawlor launching ball after ball in to the forward line.
Eventually the scores came, with JJ Ryan striking to the roof of the net for a fine goal and Paddy Brennan putting over 3 sweetly struck points. Another minor score was added before the break to leave the score 1-4 to 0-1 at half time.
The early part of the second half began with our lads dominating possession but the radar was off as we struck 4 bad wides, this gave the opposition a bit of a lift and they clawed their way back into the game scoring 1-1 without reply to leave just 2 pts between the sides with 5 mins to play. But our lads were to change a gear from here on with Eoin Delahunty, Jack Cleere and Kevin Ging lifting their game to cut out any scoring chances for the opposition and clearing the lines to set up the final few scores, with a goal from Tom Brennan and a great point from the powerful JJ Ryan.
Final score 2-5 to 1-2 and a well deserved win for the boys over an impressive, sporting Ballingarry side.
The 2nd game was played against another Tipp side Cahir. This game turned out to be a great battle with some fine hurling produced by both outfits but it was our forwards who got the scores early with a point from the sweet striking OisÍn Egan and a well taken goal from the hard working John Muldowney.This gave the boys a great foundation on which to build and they did just that with more points added by Scott, Paddy, JJ and Tom which helped us run out 10 pts winners in the end.
This win was to give us the points needed to top the table and win the Geoffrey Croke Tournament for the clubs 4th time. The presentation took place with darkness falling and the cup been raised aloft by captain for the day Paddy Brennan to cheers of delight from the “supporting” parents. A great day was had by all and it was fitting that this bunch should collect some silverware as they hurled superbly the whole year and were well deserved of their success in the end.
Great futures ahead for all no doubt_ Jack Walton top top goalie_ Tommy Docherty aggressive defender_ Shane Comerford tight marker _ Jack Cleere master 1st touch_ Kevin Ging tenacious full back_ Mark Brennan tough defender_ Craig Lawlor opposing forwards nightmare_ Eoin Delahunty dominant centre back_ Dan Cahill great tackler_ Oisín Egan all rounder_ Scott Lawlor work work work_ Andrew Mcgrath future star_ Stephan Robinson never gives in _ Jack Butler the snapper_ Tom Brennan great hand _ Paddy Brennan say no more _ John Muldowney goal scorer_ Liam Cleere ball breaker_ JJ Ryan bring it on_ Liam Walsh never let u down. # ALLFUTURESTARS