Report by Martin Delahunty
The annual U14 Declan Memorial Byrne Tournament took place on Sunday last in Tom Ryall Park. This was the first time the tournament was held on a Sunday and it proved to be a massive success.
A huge amount of preparation was put in by all over the 3 weeks leading to Sunday but they suffered a setback late on Thursday when one of the participating clubs had to withdraw. The U14 management approached a half dozen clubs but unfortunately none were available to fill the void. The decision was then made for the locals to field 2 teams in order for the Tournament to run on its original format and what a master stroke this proved to be.
The mentors got busy forming their panels and agreed on two balanced squads: the Blue Team – Jack Walton, Conor Walton, Ryan Corcoran, Kevin Ging, Jake O’Brien, Patrick Foley, Michael Harrison, Eoin Delahunty, John Muldowney, Dan Cahill, Jack Guiry, Aaron McEvoy, Sean Roberts, Dean O’Brien, Tom Brennan, Paddy Brennan, James Casey, James Brennan, Mark Brennan and White Team – Billy O’Neill, Jeff Neary, JJ Ryan, Ryan Cody, Craig Lawlor, Shane Comerford, Scott Lawlor, Brendan Dunne, Oisin Egan, Jack Butler, Eoin Egan, Ciaran Dowling, Billy Dowling, Oisin Conway, Billy Egan, Liam Walsh, Dylan Teehan. This wasn’t going to be a day for the mentors to get too tied up on scores and results as of the 36 GBC boys togged out, 17 were U12s. This certainly was going to be a day to remember for these young boys with many of them getting their first taste of playing U14 hurling on a full size pitch against some of the best clubs in the county and they certainly were not going to let their club down.
The Tournament got underway in splendid sunshine after James Stephens, Mooncoin, Piltown, Ballingarry, Tullaroan and Dunnamaggin had entered the grounds, the place was heaving. First up was a cracker of a game which ended up decided after extra time with Tullaroan just getting the better of Dunnamaggin. At the same time on pitch 1 James Stephens done enough to see off a gallant challenge from GBC Team White. Onwards the fixtures went with the impressive Piltown beating GBC Team Blue and Mooncoin getting the better of Ballingarry to take the 4th and final spot for the Cup semis.
The beaten quarter finalists were to get another chance of silverware, and Dunnamaggin progressed to the Shield Final beating GBC Team White and they were to play GBC Team Blue after they scraped past Ballingarry in the other semi. In the mean time the Cup competition was heating up and James Stephens were first to qualify for the final beating Tullaroan and Piltown got the better of their southern rivals Mooncoin to get a deserved crack at the mighty Village.
During the day the kitchen was at full pelt with teas, coffees, a huge spread of sandwiches, cakes n buns available for all who ventured in the door and venture they did. The preparation had been put in over the previous 24 hours by the local mothers and there was nobody left hungry with the cups refilled and the plates reloaded, there was no shortage but certainly no waste by the time the last car was shepherded out the gate by Maurice that evening.
Both finals got underway at the 3 mark and by all accounts they were two fantastic games of hurling. The Declan Byrne Cup was won out with a last minute goal by James Stephens to just see off a fine Piltown outfit and Dunnamaggin were to collect the Shield after getting the better of our local Team Blue late on. Two worthy winners on a day when hurling was the overall winner. The Byrne family were on hand to present the winners trophies ably assisted by club chairman Dave O Neill. Over 150 players from 7 clubs participated on the day, and over the following days the emails and texts came in from the clubs who were involved on the day congratulating the club on its endless hospitality and brilliant running of a great tournament.
A huge thanks must go out to all who made the day happen the Byrne Family, the groundsmen, parking attendants, medical staff, kitchen staff, co-ordinator Paul, umpires, refs, committee members, management and to all supporters who came out to make it a day to remember. Also, a special mention has to go to the parents of the U12s who agreed to let their sons tog out on the day, they appeared on the morning looking apprehensive and nervous (the kids were fine) but bounded out the gate that evening 10 feet tall. These boys were now mixing it on the big stage and the future of Graigue Ballycallan hurling is no doubt in safe hands.
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