Report by Niall Egan
The U14’s took on James Stephens last Wednesday evening in Tom Ryall Park, in what turned out to be a cracking game. This league play-off would see the winners progress into the shield final.
Winning the toss, GBC played with a strong breeze in the first half. The boys were drilled about a strong start and they obliged with Oisin Egan scoring the opening three points (2 frees). The Village replied after 12 minutes with a well-worked point. The diligent, hard-working half-backs of Dan Cahill, Brendan Dunne and Shane Comerford continued to deliver quality ball into the forwards, resulting in GBC gaining a lead of 0-6 to 0-4 midway into the first half. The Village then carved an opening and took a shot at goal – only to be disappointed by Jack Walton who pulled off one of many great saves on the night. The ball subsequently fell off the foot of a Village player who making sure of it this time, bundled it home. Before the half time whistle, GBC replied with three more points when Scott Lawlor scored a lovely point after some hard work by Jack Butler and Paddy Brennan added two more over the black spot to finish the half with a strong lead; GBC 0-11 James Stephens 1-4.
Having made a few positional switches at half time, James Stephens reaped the rewards, bagging 1-1 in the opening minutes of the second half. Throughout the second half, GBC half-forwards John Muldowney and Craig Lawlor worked tirelessly to supply ball into the full-forward line who were finding the James Stephens defence hard to crack. Regardless, Oisin Egan kept the scores ticking over. With eight minutes to go, to our detriment, the opposition’s half-forward won our puck-out and went on the attack. He pursued his intentions and finished it nicely in the net, leaving it 3-6 to 0-14. Despite this set back, there was a ‘never say die’ attitude and a stringent effort from the team. In retaliation, Oisin Egan pointed a free – draw match! At this critical stage, Dan Cahill did well to win procession of the ball. With three minutes to go, he duly raised the white flag after a superb point that edged us into the lead yet again. Unfortunately this lead was short lived and alas it wasn’t to be our night. The Village scored a late goal that sealed the win for them on a score line of 4-7 to 0-16.
The team can take a lot from their performance on Wednesday last, they fought with heart and determination. Apart from all those named in the report above, the rest of the players need mentioning. The full back line of Ryan Corcoran, J.J. Ryan and Billy Dowling gave everything against a very skilful inside forward line. Conor Walton was steady and hard working. Up front, Jack Butler, Tom Brennan and Mark Brennan battled bravely and were unfortunate to be denied a few scoring opportunities. Scott Lawlor and Paddy Brennan couldn’t have done any more to the help their team to the victory they probably deserved. We now look forward to the championship.
Team: J. Walton, R. Corcoran, J.J. Ryan, B. Dowling, B. Dunne, D. Cahill, (0-1), S. Comerford, S. Lawlor, (0-1), P. Brennan (0-2), C. Lawlor, O. Egan (0-12 6f), J. Muldowney, M. Brennan, T. Brennan, J. Butler.
Subs: C. Walton, C. Dowling, L. Walsh, E. Egan, B. Egan, P. Foley.