Report by Philly Cody
Graigue Ballycallan U10 team travelled to Clonmel on Saturday morning 5th of September to participate in the annual St. Mary’s tournament. Following last year’s victory in the Shield Final the lads were travelling with hopes of doing well.
Panel of Players: Billy O’Neill, Jeff Neary, Sean Roberts, Aaron McEvoy, Ryan Corcoran, Ryan Cody, Martin Brennan, James Brennan, Pat Purcell, Sean Dillon, Aidan Cahill, James Casey, Jake and Dean O’Brien.
First game was against O’Loughlins. This game was one sided with all the GBC players on top and they won on a score line of 6-7 to no score.
Scorers: J. O’Brien 0-2, J. Casey 2-0, A. McEvoy 0-3, R. Cody 2-0, J. Neary 2-1, B O’Neill 0-1.
Next up Clairnbridge (Galway), this was a competitive game with both sets of backs defending well. GBC went in at half time leading 4 points to 2 with A. McEvoy scoring fine points from frees and play. The second half continued as the first, little between the sides. Final score GBC 0-5 Clarinbridge 0-3.
Scorers: A. McEvoy 0-5.
In the final group game we played St. Marys of Clonmel. Again this game was one sided with scores a plenty for the locals. Final Score GBC 9-8 St. Mary’s 0-1
Scorers: M. Brennan 1-0, D. O’Brien 1-1, B. O’Neill 2-0, J. Neary 1-1, R. Corcoran 0-1, J. O’Brien 1-4, S. Roberts 1-1, J. Casey 0-1, R. Cody 2-0.
Having won all our matches the lads qualified for the cup semi-final where Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) provided the opposition. Kilmacud opened the scoring with a goal but hard work from the team ended with goals from Jeff Neary(2) and James Casey. As half time approached Kilmacud goaled to cut our lead to 4 points. The boys put in a great second half performance and defended valiantly to limit Kilmacud to a point. Three points from Aaron ensured victory on a scoreline of 3-5 to 2-3.
Scorers: A. McEvoy 0-5, J. Neary 2-0, J. Casey 1-0.
And so GBC qualified for the Final where we met Clarinbridge again, who had qualified for the Cup as the best runner up. This turned out to be another tense match with little between the sides. The sides traded points in the opening half and were level on 4 points each at half time. The second half resumed with a point for both sides before Ryan Corcoran goaled to give us the lead. In the closing minutes, Clarinbridge went in search of the equaliser but the defence stood up and refused to be beaten and a fine save from a close range free ensured victory.
Final score GBC 1-5 Clarinbridge 0-5. Captain for the day, Ryan Cody, accepted the Tom Maher Cup on behalf of this fine team.
The boys gave everything throughout the day and fully deserved their victory. Our goalkeepers played well and we only conceded 2 goals in the 5 matches. Dean O’Brien brought off a few great saves and delivered great puck outs, our full back line of Sean Roberts and Aidan Cahill were dominant throughout and were greatly assisted by our hard working half backs of Ryan Corcoran, James Brennan and Pat Purcell. In midfield Aaron McEvoy, Billy O’Neill and Ryan Cody were solid and ensured a steady supply of ball to our forwards. Our half forwards of Jeff Neary and Jake O’Brien were a constant threat and the inside line of James Casey, Martin Brennan and Sean Dillon were ready to pounce on every scoring opportunity.