GBC lined out against Conahy Shamrocks in Larchfield last Saturday, with a place in the northern under 21 hurling final at stake. The game started at a high pace and for the first 20 minutes Conor Murphy traded points with the opposition. GBC were playing well and looking well up for the challenge, with Ger Teehan, Philly Cahill, and Willie O’Connor standing out.
In the 23rd minute, a high ball broke favourably in front of goal for a Conahy forward and he slotted it past the advancing PJ Trant. The half-time score was GBC 0-8, Conahy 1-4 and having done more of the hurling, GBC must have been disappointed not to be further ahead.
In the second half the sides continued to swap points, neither side able to pull away. Darragh Egan was hurling well at mid-field and he put over an inspirational point in the 6th minute. A well taken point by Philly Cahill on 13 minutes levelled the match at 0-11 to 1-8. The score of the game came on 22 minutes when a series of hand passes from midfield found Conor Murphy on the edge of the square and he picked his spot for a great goal. This put GBC ahead by 2 points. Minutes later PJ Trant made a fantastic reflex save, deflecting the ball out the wing in the process. Conahy pointed 3 unanswered frees to bring the game to extra time, 1-13 each.
Conahy scored 3 points to nil in the first period and GBC did likewise in the second. GBC were very unlucky not to clinch a victory when a well struck penalty deflected off the crossbar for a point. Full time score, GBC 1-16, Conahy 1-16.
GBC: PJ Trant, D Cahill, S Butler, P Boland, E Corcoran, G Teehan, P Tynan, D Egan, W O’Connor, E Robinson, P Cahill, C Murphy, J Gleeson, E Egan, B Ryan.