GBC Minors took on Piltown in Kilmanagh in the first round of the Roinn A hurling league. The home side were slow to settle into the game and almost 20 minutes had passed before they found their rhythm.
They scored 8 good points from play in the first half and the backs limited Piltown to 1-3. Piltown hit several wides, but a soft goal kept them in it, GBC 0-10, Piltown 1-3 at half time.
GBC took up where they left off in the second half, working hard for possession and using the ball smartly. Shortly after the re-start, Jamie Lawlor latched on to a fantastic save by the Piltown keeper from a Sean Ryan pile driver, and sent the ball to the back of the net. Points continued to flow for the lads, whereas Piltown were reliant on frees, scoring only one point from play in the half. Sean Ryan gathered a good delivery from Alan Corcoran late on and crashed to ball to the net, leaving the final score GBC 2-17, Piltown 1-9.
Eamonn Egan was the standout player on the field at centre back, while Shane Hennessy and Sean Ryan led an impressive attack. While greater challenges lie ahead, this was an impressive start in the top grade.
GBC: B Cuddihy, T Dunphy, C Flynn, E Walsh, J Roberts, E Egan (0-2), T Ronan, C Prendiville (0-1), S Ryan (1-6), D Lanigan (0-2), C Hogan, S Hennessy (0-3), A Corcoran (0-1), J Lawlor (1-1), N Butler. Subs: D Maher, K Egan, G Murphy, D Hoyne, G Doheny, G Davis (0-1), L O’Brien.