Graigue Ballycallan U-16s played out an extraordinary county quarter final against tough opposition in Dunnamaggin in Callan last Saturday. The sides had already met in a challenge match earlier this year with the GBC boys winning comfortably, but this would prove to be a much tighter affair.
The game started at a blistering pace set down by the south Kilkenny team, with GBC struggling to match the eagerness and determination of Dunnamaggin. The GBC boys were under intense pressure and following some poor defending they yielded two goals to leave the scoreline reading Dunnamgggin 2-3 to G.B.C 0-1 after 20 minutes. However, the lads showed good character to claw their way back into the game when others would have dropped their heads with Sean Ryan, Dylan Lanigan and Jamie Lawlor scoring 1-2 between them, to leave just a goal between the teams at the interval. The goal came from full-forward Jamie Lawlor following some great determination to finish to the net. The scoreline saw G.B.C trailing by 2-3 to 1-3 at half time with everybody in the GBC side knowing that a drastic change in their performance would be needed if they were to have any chance of winning the game.
The second half brought a change of attitude and performance, GBC now setting the tempo and Colum Prendiville, now out at centre-half back, giving an outstanding performance. Sean Ryan was causing the Dunnamaggin defence all sorts of problems with his movement, scoring three unanswered points to leave the minimum between the teams, before Davy Maher goaled with a sensational overhead shot, following a well timed pass by Jamie Lawlor. The team knew it was now time to push on, with Lawlor and Ryan scoring another 1-1 to push GBC 6 points clear. However, Dunnamaggin refused to go away, scoring a third goal from a lobbed in free, to reduce the deficit back to three points. GBC pushed down field to notch another goal, thanks to a smart finish by Davy Maher, who along with Jamie Lawlor was causing havoc in the Dunnamggin full-back line. Once again though, Dunnamaggin faught back, scoring 1-2 without reply, the goal of which was a rocket into the top corner giving the goalie no chance.
Players were giving everything at this stage, with Conor Flynn, Tommy Ronan and Geordan Davis performing heroically in defence while Killian Egan, Aaron Brennan and Ciaran Hogan were working incredibly hard, making valuable hooks and blocks. Following a nervy last few minutes, during which a 65 for Dunnamaggin was put wide, GBC were in the semi-final on a score-line of GBC 4-7, Dunnamaggin 4-6.
Following a poor first half GBC showed tremendous character, resolve and determination to get the win. This team has no shortage of ability, but their challenge is to put in a full sixty minutes of high work rate and self-belief.
GBC: 1.Bill Cuddihy, 2. Tom Dunphy, 3. Colum Prendiville, 4. Ger Doheny, 5. Tommy Ronan, 6. Conor Flynn, 7. Geordan Davis, 8. Killian Egan, 9. Davy Maher(2-0), 10. Sean Ryan(0-5, 2fs), 11. Dylan Lanigan(0-2), 12. Ciaran Hogan, 13. James Everard, 14. Jamie Lawlor(2-0), 15. Aaron Brennan
Subs: Luke O’Brien, George Murphy, Peter Murphy, Davy Hoyne, Adam O’Brien