Report by Philomena Brennan
All roads led to Palmerstown on the 3rd August last, as the U-16s took on the city side O’Loughlin Gaels in the first round of the Roinn A Championship. When the draw took place in early Spring, it was acknowledged that this would be a tough test for the locals. However, with good form displayed in the league the GBC boys and their mentors embraced the challenge and put everything into training coming up to the fixture.
Conditions were not ideal, high winds prevailed all day and indeed strengthened considerably as the throw in took place. GBC played with the wind in the first half and Sean Ryan, with two converted frees got the boys off to a steady start. With the GBC defence in excellent form the city side had to fight hard for every score. Jesse Roberts, while carrying an injury, put over two fine points. O’Loughlins hit back for a goal and but for the brave Stephen Keoghan in the GBC goal, could have reaped another. Tommy Ronan was strong in defence and with Conor Flynn battling hard their opponents were limited to only 1-2 from play.
HT Score: GBC 0-8 O’Loughlin Gaels 1-6.
If conditions had been calmer, GBC would have been happy facing the second half only one point down, however now fighting against a gale it was always going to be an uphill task. GBC were hit immediately after the start for a goal and a point and the writing was on the wall when the city boys began to attack the GBC goal relentlessly. The scores for their opponents quickly added up and even though the boys never gave up the fight the result was never in doubt. Two late points from Oisin Egan concluded GBC game.
FT Score: GBC 0-13 O’Loughlin Gaels 5-12
While the score displayed a disparity between the teams GBC never gave up and true to form this side battled bravely to the final whistle. A few weeks break before the League Final against the same opponents, will allow those with injuries to get back to full strength and the team will, without doubt step up to the challenge yet again.
The team and mentors were appreciative of the huge support they got on the night and hope to be closer to their opponents at the final whistle in the League Final.
Panel: S.Keoghan, G.Doheny, T.Dunphy, T.Ronan, L.O’Brien, C.Flynn, A.Brennan, K.Egan, S.Ryan, J.Roberts, C.Hogan, P.Murphy, J.Everard, D.Maher, O.Egan, A.O’Brien, A.Wall, E.Corcoran, E.Delahunty, P.Brennan.
Scores: S.Ryan 0-8(4fs), O.Egan 0-2, J.Roberts 0-2, and C.Hogan 0-1 .