Report by Philomena Brennan
After a great campaign in the Roinn A u-16 league, the GBC boys shared the top position on the table with their counterparts from the south, Ballyhale-Shamrocks. Consequently a play-off situation existed and it was all roads to Dunnamaggin on Friday last to determine who would take the honours of heading the group and earning a place in the Roinn A League final for 2015.
Torrential rain threatened to put a halt to proceedings before it started but after the deluge cleared, conditions improved and remained good for the duration of the encounter.
Playing with the assistance of a moderate breeze GBC got off the mark first with a point from Jesse Roberts, who was playing at full-forward. With the lion’s share of the possession GBC were somewhat wasteful in attack and the score-board did not reflect the large amount of possession they enjoyed in the first quarter. However, the forwards gained a foothold and the ever vigilant Oisin Egan ran onto a pass from Jesse Roberts to record their first goal. He quickly followed this with a well taken point.
This lead was to prove short lived as Ballyhale roared into the game and despite some good defending from the hard-working Aaron Brennan and Conor Flynn the Shamrocks hit GBC for four goals in succession, despite the gallant efforts of Stephen Keoghan in the GBC goal.
This turn of events shocked the local boys into action and with Sean Ryan, David Maher and Jesse Roberts converting all the chances presented to them it was a great relief to get to half time on level terms with the opposition.
HT: GBC 2-7 Ballyhale-Shamrocks 4-1.
After the break the GBC boys took to the field and while facing into the breeze they began to perform to their potential.
Killian Egan stormed into the match and delivered good ball into the GBC attack. Peter Murphy and Adam O’Brien, introduced for the injured Jesse Roberts began to dominate and this resulted in scores for GBC.
It was tit for tat for the next quarter and with scores from the increasingly effective Tommy Ronan and Sean Ryan the sides were level on several occasions.
With ten minutes remaining GBC began to dominate and with some great man-marking from the backs, the local boys moved ahead with two frees from Sean Ryan and a wonderful point from Oisin Egan. The final whistle saw GBC record a well earned victory, one which was predominately earned by a huge desire to win and a never say die attitude which is a hallmark of these boys.
Final Score: GBC 2-14 Ballyhale-Shamrocks 4-5
Panel: S. Keoghan, G.Doheny, T.Dunphy, L.O’Brien, T.Ronan, C.Flynn, A. Brennan, S.Ryan, K.Egan, D.Maher, C.Hogan, J.Everard, P.Murphy, J.Roberts, O.Egan. A.O’Brien, A.Wall, E. Corcoran, E.Delahunty, P.Brennan, F.Lanigan, S.O’Dwyer
It is onwards now to Palmerstown on Monday next as GBC take on O’Loughlin Gaels in the first round of the Roinn A u-16 Championship. We wish the boys and their mentors all the best and all support is welcome on the night.