On Good Friday in Tom Ryall Park, GBC played host to Barrow Rangers in the under 16 hurling league. A slight breeze favoured the visitors in the first half, but within ten minutes points from Dylan Lanigan, Jesse Roberts and two from Sean Ryan left GBC leading by 4 points to 2. Then Jamie Lawlor and Sean Ryan combined well to bag a goal each and GBC found themselves with a commanding lead, midway through the first half, 2-4 to 0-2.
Although GBC had dominated the possession stakes, a lapse in concentration at the back let Barrow Rangers back into the game with a soft goal. At half time GBC led by 2-5 to 1-4 and the game was still in the balance.
A second goal was presented to Barrow Rangers at the start of the second half, putting them right back in contention. After some good work by Jamie Lawlor, Sean Ryan rattled the net and GBC adopted a more determined attitude for the remainder of the game. Unanswered points from Sean Ryan (3), Jesse Roberts (2fs), Jamie Lawlor (2), Ciaran Hogan, James Everard and David Maher put GBC out of reach.
With minutes remaining, Jamie Lawlor won the ball on the near sideline and took off at speed. Leaving a couple of defenders in his wake, Lawlor blasted into the top corner, to the delight of the home fans.
Conor Flynn and Tommy Ronan stood out in the GBC defence, while Colum Prendiville and Jesse Roberts controlled mid-field. Up front, Sean Ryan bagged an impressive 2-6 and Jamie Lawlor had his best performance to date with 2-2. Dylan Lanigan was impressive at centre forward, outplaying their county player for much of the game.
Once they got ahead in the second half the whole GBC team played well. They will need to harness that confidence and high work rate earlier on in future games if they are to progress.
Final score: GBC 4-15 Barrow Rangers 2-5
GBC: Bill Cuddihy, Evan Walsh, Tom Dunphy, Ger Doheny, Tommy Ronan, Conor Flynn, David Hoyne, Jesse Roberts (0-3 2fs), Colum Prendiville, Ciaran Hogan (0-1), Dylan Lanigan (0-1), David Maher (0-1), James Everard (0-1), Jamie Lawlor (2-2), Sean Ryan (2-6 2fs) Subs: Peter Murphy, Luke O’Brien, George Murphy, Aaron Brennan, Killian Egan, Adam o’Brien.