It is with great pride and honour I report on our u15 boys feile exploits, winning 2 thrilling games to win the division 2 final and allow us qualify to represent Kerry in national competition in June.
Having endured the miserable rain last week, conditions were far more favourable today. Playing the 5th game of the day in Caherslee it was remarkable how well the pitch was, and coupled with the conditions made for great hurling.
We were facing Crotta in the semi finals. This same Crotta team had been competing in division 1 finals last year and we’ve been on the wrong end of a number of losses against them over the years, but as management, we were confident there was more in our boys. They gave a great account of themselves last week and we’ve seen how week on week they were improving. We started like a train, Shea stepping in as a 3rd man midfielder, paul and Conor thundering into the rucks and within 5 mins we were 1-3 to 0-1 up with Roibeard Foley and Michael Broughton causing havoc in the full forward line. Back came crotta and to be fair on them, scored some stunning scores and against the breeze we were struggling to get the ball out of our half. 1-6 to 1-3 at half time to Crotta. Big pep talk at half time had us riled up and we started winning those breaks in the middle again. Fionnán OC dropped back to full back and was immense, shoring up the last line and launching long balls into midfield. Roibeard got a second goal, michael got one too and we were still winning all the breaks. It just didn’t fall for crotta in the second half and we won out 3-7 to 1-7. The boys really stepped up physically in that game, they were well concentrated and fully deserved the victory!
Short banana and energy break later, we were out in Abbeydorney playing a very strong Kenmare Kilgarvan side in the final. This time a very obvious breeze against us in the first half. But we started this game like we finished the last with Michael and Roibeard again getting a goal each in the first 7 mins. We were carrying the ball well from the middle with Jay and Eddie exceptionally strong on the wings, Conor raining long balls into the forward line. Kenmare kilgarvan were game but our boys were ravenous, which lead to a lot of ruck balls! We butchered a few more goal chances and just before half time they got a goal back from a long free to give Kenmare Kilgarvan a pep in their step at half time. 2-2 to 1-2 at half time in our favour. Although we had the wind in the second half, to their credit, the opposition came at us hard and gave us nothing easy. We found the scores harder to come by but with ferocious determination the likes of Ruairi Oc and Jamie Moore were blocking balls, and ryan and Dara Leen were driving it downfield. We got a 3rd goal but couldn’t pull clear of the opposition and a quick goal and point from them left only 2 points between the sides with 2 mins remaining! Nail biting stuff. Michael got the last point and with a huge sigh of relief, John Hennessy blew the full time whistle!
Cian started in goals for us, stepping up from our u13 and gave a remarkably mature performance throughout the day. Eoin Reilly, Jamie Moore, Ruairi O Callaghan and Tom Kissane shared full back roles. Dara Leen, Ryan Hannafin and Fionnan were excellent further out. Captain Conor Reidy was everywhere, aided by the likes of Paul Murphy, Charlie Sharp who was endless in his running and efforts and Shea Gilligan hoovering out of many rucks too. Jay and Eddie were physical and determined on the wings. Roibeard Foley and Michael Broughton did untold damage on the inside line!
Big credit to our support staff, the likes of Sammy Murphy, Donnacha Foley, Harry Diggin, Ruben Murphy, Charlie McDermott, Tom Og Regan who were a great support all day. Also a thanks and credit must go to the likes of Tadhg Lynch, Oran O Regan, Liam Costello who were unavailable today for the final.
My appreciation also goes to the management team of Ger Reidy, Ollie Broughton, John Diggin, Yvonne o Meara, Colm O Giollagain and also to Darragh Reen and Niall Hayles who have helped with coaching! These boys turned into men today. Huge honour to be involved with them.
