Report by Philomena Brennan
The U-14 hurling campaign kicked off last Tuesday evening in a sunny but windswept Tom Ryall Park, Kilmanagh when Graigue Ballycallan met Bennettsbridge in the first round of the U-14 Hurling League
Playing with the assistance of a very strong breeze, the local boys were slow to settle and allowed their counterparts into a 5 point lead. Two great points from Oisin Egan and Lee Ronan got them off the mark. Aaron Brennan added two points from frees and on the stroke of half time brought their tally to 5 points while Bennettsbridge went onto the break with a commanding 2-7
A monumental task faced them as they turned into the wind, with their opponents hurling well. The team mentors made several tactical changes which saw Adam O’Brien go back to full-back, Aaron Brennan move to centre-field and Killian Egan taking up the centre-forward role. Graigue-Ballycallan were awarded a free on the “21” early in the half and Aaron Brennan struck it well and scored a goal.
From then on, the local lads hurled with great determination. With the mid-field in control and delivering quick ball to the forwards, Killian Egan scored three cracking goals which saw the lead cut to only three points.
But their opponents rallied again and with time running out, two fortunate goals put the match out of reach for the locals. This was a tough test for their first match but they fought bravely and look forward with confidence to their next outing against Conahy Shamrocks next Monday.
Panel: Paddy Brennan, Eoin Delahunty, Eamon Corcoran, Stephen Keoghan , Daniel Lawlor, Adam O’Brien, Alex McCluskey, Killian Egan, Finn Lanigan, Oisin Egan, Lee Ronan, Alan Wall, Scott Lawlor, Aaron Brennan, Jason O’Brien, Kevin Ging, Luke Cullen, JJ Ryan, Mark Brennan, Jack Walton, Stephen Robinson, Fionn O’Halloran.
Scores: Killian Egan 3-0; Aaron Brennan 1-4, Oisin Egan, Lee Ronan and Stephen Keoghan 0-1 each.