A steely determination was evident in the face of every GBC player as they lined up for the pre-county final photo in Piltown last Saturday. They were there to take on Slieverue, a team that had put up very impressive scores all season.
GBC stormed into the game and points from play by Dylan Lanigan and Billy Ryan in the first four minutes provided the perfect start. In the eighth minute, Podge Dunphy charged out to gather a high ball thirty metres in front of goal, turned swiftly and banged over a great point. A minute later, Philly Cahill landed a long range free and with GBC dominating all over the field, the dream was very much alive.
In the eleventh minute a long delivery landed in front of the Slieverue twenty one yard line. Their corner forward reacted quickly and blasted the ball to the net against the run of play. GBC 0-4, Slieverue 1-0. Eamonn Egan added two points (1f) before Slieverue pointed a free.
In the twenty first minute Slieverue’s corner forward shot for goal from close range; the shot was blocked by Bill Cuddihy, but the forward kicked the rebound to the net, GBC 0-6, Slieverue 2-1. Despite these cruel setbacks, GBC never flinched and Philly Cahill, Eamonn Egan and Billy Ryan in particular were leading by example.
Colum Prendiville’s dogged workrate was rewarded with two points from play, before GBC’s lifeline arrived on twenty eight minutes – Billy Ryan who was closely watched all through, somehow kicked and shoved the ball through the square and over the Slieveue goal-line. Slieverue got one more point from play before the half time break, leaving the half-time score GBC 1-8, Slieverue 2-3. A two point lead didn’t reflect GBC’s dominance in the first half.
Directly from the re-start Slieverue’s corner forward grabbed posession, side stepped his man and picked his spot in the bottom left hand corner of the net. This was a perfect start for Slieverue and yet another sucker punch for GBC. Slieverue added a point in the fifth minute and in the seventh, Eoin Phelan slotted a low shot to the net from close range, Slieverue 4-4, GBC 1-8.
Our lads refused to lie down; Shane Hennessy pointed well from play and Eamonn Egan put over two frees. Slieverue tacked on three further points from play, to a pointed free from Eamonn Egan, leaving the final score Slieverue 4-8, GBC 1-12.
The age profile of this GBC team is very young, with nine of the starting fifteen under sixteen years old. This is easily missed as we have become accustomed to their heroics. The older players led the charge with huge bravery and heart, none more so than Philly Cahill, who put in an immense performance again at centre back. Well done to all concerned throughout this championship. Every GBC supporter left Piltown last Saturday full of pride and assured of a bright future for these young men.
GBC: B Cuddihy, T Dunphy, R Keoghan, T Ronan, C Flynn, P Cahill (0-1, f), E Walsh, S Hennessy (0-1), E Egan (0-5,4f ), D Lanigan (0-1), C Prendiville (0-2), B Ryan (1-1), G Davis, P Dunphy (0-1), J Lawlor.
Subs: D Maher, G Davis, A Harrison, N Butler, S Ryan (inj), C Hogan, G Doheny, L O’Brien, J Roberts, G Murphy, K Egan, J Everard, D Hoyne, P Murphy.