U9s reach final of Callan Alive Tournament – 3rd August 2014

Report by James Cahill

On Sunday August 3rd the U-9 team participated in the annual John Locke’s Tournament in Callan. The team along with the U-12 team paraded through the town led by the Ballycallan Fife and Drum Band. Our U-9 team were missing a few players who were away on holidays. This tournament is a ground hurling  tournament.

Graigue- Ballycallan V Tullaroan

 Our first match was against neighbours Tullaroan. James Casey had a terrific start to the game scoring two goals. All the team improved as the game went on. Dean O’Brien who was chasing every ball that came his way succeeded in scoring a fine goal to put Graigue into a comfortable lead. James Brennan at midfield gave his best performance of the year so far sending many a fine pass up to the forwards. The ever vigilant Jeff Neary scored another goal and the hard working Sean Roberts scored a fine goal from midfield. Sean had a great tussle with his cousin Cillian Brennan in this match. Young Eoghan Cahill had his best performance of the afternoon in this match.

Graigue- Ballycallan V John Locke’s

Our second match of the afternoon was against the host team John Locke’s. Jeff Neary was on form in this game scoring the opening goal for Graigue which helped settle the team. Ben Young on goal was terrific in the whole tournament. He was very confident on goal and his saves and fine clearances were a feature of the games for the many onlookers. John Locke’s scored a point from a free and then took the lead with another goal leaving the half time score John Locke’s 1-1 Graigue 0-1

In the second half the Graigue boys fought hard for every ball. Ryan Cody put in a great performance at midfield fighting hard for every ball and getting loose for every puck out from Ben. The Graigue boys fought back and Jeff Neary hit the back of the net again and celebrated in style. The forwards chased every ball in the John Locke’s square and were rewarded with a goal scored by Jake O’Brien after a well contested tussle around the John Locke’s goalmouth. James Casey moved to the full back line and cleared many a fine ball along with the strong Pat Purcell and Aidan Cahill. Jack Docherty was improving as the games went on and blocked a lot of balls going towards the Graigue goal and sent many a fine pass to the Graigue forwards  where Sean McGrath did his best to score. Sean Roberts scored a fine goal and finally Dean O’Brien hit the net again putting Graigue into a comfortable lead. John Locke’s scored a goal in the last minute leaving a final score of Graigue Ballycallan 5-0 John Locke’s 2-1

 Graigue –Ballycallan V Danesfort (Final)

In the final we met Danesfort who had won their group. Danesfort got the better start scoring a goal early on. The standard of hurling in the final was high with great performances from both teams. A very satisfying feature of all the games from the Graigue-Ballycallan side was the great spirit and work rate from all of the players and especially when we were behind. Jeff scored a fine point from a 65 leaving us trailing at half time 1-0 to 0-1

Danesfort got the better start in the second half scoring two goals and looked like the winners. However Graigue gallantly fought back and soon Jeff and James Casey scored two well taken goals. Then with a mighty strike Jeff scored a terrific goal into the top corner of the net. There was great excitement on the sideline with both sets of supporters thoroughly enjoying the super hurling from both teams. Danesfort scored a point from a 65 in the final seconds of the game to leave the final score Graigue-Ballycallan 3-1 Danesfort 3-1

We had to play extra time. Nothing separated the teams in the extra time either. Danesfort scored a point  from a free and scored a point from a 65. Graigue needed a goal to win it. They were unlucky not to have scored one. Jeff scored a point from a 65 leaving the final score Danesfort 3-3 Graigue-Ballycallan 3-2. This was a mighty performance from the Graigue U-9 team who did their team, mentors, parents, club and parish proud. Well done boys.

Panel: Ben Young, Pat Purcell, Jake O’Brien, Aidan Cahill, Jack Docherty, James Brennan. Sean Roberts, Ryan Cody, Jeff Neary, Dean O’Brien, James Casey, Sean McGrath, Eoghan Cahill, Cormac Neary (mascot)