Cumann Pheadaír Naofa 1-11 V Castlewellan 1-1

In one of the finest team performances from the young blues all year, the U12 hurlers had a big win against a very good Castlewellan side. From the start of the game Captain, Liam O’Connor took the game by the scruff of the neck and slotted over three stunning points, all from about forty metres out. The blues midfield set up of Liam, Tiernan Kelly and Ruairi McIntyre worked tirelessly as did half backs Oisín Ruane, Mathew Duffy and James Sweeney very quickly snuffing out any threat, ably assisted by Mark Campbell the Cumann Pheadaír Naofa defence put constant pressure on the Castlewellan forwards forcing them into snap shot which went wide of the target.

In Darragh Austin being virtually impassable between the posts. Up front Oran Murney scored a delightful point from out on the wing, forwards of Tiernan Burns, Ben Lock and Jarlath Donnelly battled hard and worked well together chasing, tackling and hooking at every turn. The game was delicately balanced when Caolan Freer found himself with the sliotar in hand, having received a pinpoint pass from Tiernan Kelly, as he turned to shoot his marker did just enough to put him off as his shot went within a whisper of being the opening goal for the blues. two further point from Liam saw the blues lead at half with a three point advantage.

At the start of the second half Oran slotted over a second from out on the wing, as did Tiernan Kelly. Having had ten wides in the first half the pressure put on the Castlewellan defence eventually took its toll when another high ball to the edge of the square saw Oisín Ruane kick to the net having been hooked with his first attempt. At this point such was the blues domination in defence that Castlewellan only managed a single point. It was a truly determined team effort that saw the boys seal a ten-point victory.

Scorers: Liam O’Connor 0-8, Oisín Ruane 1-0, Oran Murney 0-2, Tiernan Kelly 0-1

By michelle Tue 30th Aug