Inter-Divisional action for our U16 hurling panel centred on Dr. Morris Park last Saturday with the league round blitz of the Munster Inter-divisional Championship. Up against West Waterford in the opening match it took a bit of time for the team to settle but settle they did. Playing into a stiff wind the side were in first half trouble before the ever consistent and excellent Diarmuid Ryan launched a super ball out of defence which the West Waterford keeper failed to collect with the physical presence of Brian McGrath bearing down on him; McGrath with the simplest of tasks to kick the ball into the net. Mid in the second half were starting to fire on all cylinders and began to play to their potential. Lyndon Fairbrother came into his own with no shortage of pace, skill and execution of scores as he led the forward attack. From midfield Radic Natkaneic was threatening too and following his terrific run through the opposition defence he set up Bill Darcy for Mid’s second goal in the third minute of the half. Fairbrother added points as Mid started to claw their way back into the match and his goal four minutes from time left three between them in a pulsating finish. And what a goal it was, a missile from centre back Tom Murphy was caught under pressure by Fairbrother where he showed great strength in holding and dispatching the ball to the net. It was parity close on full time when Stephen Flanagan’s blistering shot hit the net form the fourteen metre line following sustained Mid pressure. Alas, though, there was to be no fairy tale ending to this one as an injury time free was converted by the West Waterford centre back to give them the honours, Mid 4-03 West Waterford 2-10.
With the other match ending in a draw between Imokilly and South/East Limerick, the pressure would be on in the second match against Imokilly. But up for the challenge the Mid lads were and in the opening minute Mark Purcell had the games first goal following great opening play by the Mid midfield duo. Fairbrother was on song again contributing six of the Mid seven first half points. Purcell also added a second goal and yet bizarrely it seemed Mid were still in arrears at the break following the concession of two goals in the last quarter.
Playing into the wind in the second half Mid were rocked with an early goal but yet plugged away and closed down all avenues of attack as the defence tightened up considerably. The two Diarmuids, Ryan and Leahy together with Gavin Dunne marshaled supremely while Conor Sheedy blocked, hassled and harried continuously. Up front James O’Sullivan got motoring and notched over fine points to keep Mid in touch. Though Mid grabbed a late goal the chance of victory as well of a semi-final berth in Mallow had slipped through the fingers as Imokilly edged this one and would indeed succeed in securing that spot in Mallow. Final score Mid 3-11 Imokilly 4-14.
The third match against South/East Limerick was academic in reality as Mid emptied the bench and varied the strategy. In a close enough first half the scores were tied at the break Mid 1-02 to 05, the Mid goal coming from the stick of Stephen Flanagan. Brian McGrath showed his class with an excellent point with a sideline ball from the left to put Mid in front. Fairbrother showed his credentials of greater things in to come in his career with a display of individual brilliance scoring a super goal following a devastating run, Mid in command. Nip and tuck throughout the half McGrath, out on his legs, embodied the desire and collectiveness of this unit in replicating Fairbrothers feat in also scoring a super goal. Somehow though the Limerick boys kept tacking on the points and in games of such tight margins the gods again conspired to leave Mid on the negative side of the result, Mid 3-05 South/East Limerick 1-13.
Commiserations to the full panel of players and mentors Ronan Stanley (Gortnahoe-Glengoole), Andy Ryan (GDA) and Kieran Young (Drom-Inch) who left no stone unturned in preparation for this championship and especially the great bunch of players who showed great character and strength of depth in unity with each other throughout the three games. Andy Ryan called on them now to return to their clubs as leaders, build on the experience and drive their clubs on to greater things.
Mid Panel; David O’Shea (J.K. Brackens), Gavin Dunne (Holycross-Ballycahill), Conor O’Meara (Drom-Inch), Diarmuid Ryan (Clonakenny), Diarmuid Leahy (Moyne-Templetuohy), Tom Murphy (J.K. Brackens), Conor Sheedy (do), Brian McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney), Radic Natkaneic (J.K. Brackens), Eoin Ryan (Moycarkey-Borris), Bill Darcy (Durlas ￓg), Eoin Nesbitt (Clonakenny), Stephen Flanagan (Holycross-Ballycahill), Lydon Fairbrother (J.K. Brackens), James O’Sullivan (Boherlahan-Dualla), Padraic Campion (Drom-Inch), Bill Byrne (Durlas Og), T.J. Butler (Upperchurch-Drombane), Conor Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane), Fionn Cleary (Gortnahoe-Glengoole), Mark Purcell (Durlas Og), DeLacey Byrne (Clonakenny), Mark Ryan (Moyne-Templetuohy), Stephan Maher (Loughmore-Castleiney), Jordan Moore (Boherlahan-Dualla).
What a day it was elsewhere for Mid teams with Moycarkey-Borris recording a unique and historic double for the club as they secured the Feile na nGael ‘A’ County title on a memorable day for the club, defeating Moyle Rovers in the final as the did in the Peil decider the week previous. Not to be outdone, Moyne-Templetuohy created their own bit of history too as they secured the F￩ile na nGael ‘B’ County title following a comprehensive victory over Emly Treacys in the final, and as a result of a Croke Park ruling earlier this year it is they who will represent the county in the F￩ile national finals in Derry later in June. Not finished there either for the club as Gearid O’Connor secured the F￩ile skills crown making this a very special weekend for the Moyne-Templetuohy club. Congratulations to both clubs and we wish them the very best on the national stage in the coming weeks.
This Saturday our four U12 football teams are in county semi-final action against North opposition and best wishes to them. While on the home front we are down to semi-final action in the U16 and U14 championships as the clock continues to wind down on this year’s championships
