The penultimate divisional tournament took place on Bank Holiday Monday last when the U15 hurling panel contested the Roger Ryan tournament in Toomevara. Playing North in the semi-final the team never got going at all in the first half really and as a result were four in arrears at the break, though Eoin Ryan and Paul Bergin were among a few who were making a serious contribution. Things improved at the opening of the second half with more purpose evident in the Mid play. When Anthony McKelvey netted in the seventh minute it left two between them and at this stage Mid needed to push on. McKelvey was most unfortunate to see his shot across the goal go narrowly wide as a bit of momentum had gathered. Darragh Woods was on target with a point to leave the minimum between the sides with nine to play. But alas it was the stronger finishing North side who pushed on instead, scoring 1-05 without reply to get to the final. Final score Mid 1-06 North 1-15.
Mid played South in the shield and made immediate amends by claiming this one after producing a much better performance. Anthony McKelvey goaled in this one too as Mid held the half time advantage 1-07 to 1-04. Jimmy Ryan was in superb form in this match in defence and Aidan O’Meara in great shape at half forward. Michael Purcell and Brian O’Meara were more prominent also at midfield.
James Kirby scored Mid’s second goal in the opening minute of the second half and while the edge started to go out of the match Mid adding on further points to gain a much needed boost at the end of a difficult afternoon, final score Mid 2-12 South 2-06.
Sincere thanks to the players for their great commitment and also to their selectors; Martin Doyle (Durlas Óg), Trevor Hassett (Drom-Inch), Paddy Dwan (Holycross-Ballycahill) and Donal Hayes (Upperchurch-Drombane) who gave huge energy and encouragement on the day and in preparation through the season.
Mid U15 panel; Christopher Carew (Durlas Óg), Conor O’Hagan (do), Edward O’Gorman (C) (Holycross-Ballycahill), Jimmy Ryan (do), Neil Quinlan (J.K. Brackens), Eoin Ryan (Loughmore-Castleiney), Paul Bergin (Drom-Inch), Michael Purcell (Durlas Óg), Brian O’Mara (Holycross-Ballycahill), Aidan O’Meara (Drom-Inch), Matthew O’Sullivan (Clonakenny), James Kirby (Boherlahan-Dualla), Darragh Woods (Holycross-Ballycahill), Anthony McKelvey (Moycarkey-Borris), Anthony Cooney (Durlas Óg), Eoin Collins (Drom-Inch), Alex Murphy (Holycross-Ballycahill), David Butler (Gortnahoe-Glengoole), David Nolan (do), Tommy Hennessy (Clonakenny), Ciaran Connolly (Loughmore-Castleiney), Michael Lavery (Upperchurch-Drombane), William Creedon (Durlas Óg), Paddy Cadell (J.K. Brackens).
Congratulations firstly to Upperchurch-Drombane who won the U16C football title last week and who go straight into the county final, see report elsewhere, and also to Durlas Óg who won their county U12 semi-final on Saturday and best wishes to them in the county final this Saturday, both opposition and venue not known at time of going to press.
Elsewhere the finalists in our U14 championships have been decided and the finals are provisionally pencilled in for this Saturday, but please note again times and venues not available at time of going to press.
Following on the semi-finals of the U16 A and B championships on Monday night last we are also well on the way to the finals here too, it should make for a very busy and interesting weekend.
By Jonathan Cullen Tue 13th May
