The Graigue Ballycallan under 16 squad went to Freshford on Saturday last with a dream of entering the history books; they returned to Tom Ryall Park that night with a memory that will last a lifetime.
Galmoy/Windgap started briskly and had three unanswered points on the board within four minutes. The GBC boys didn’t panic and when Ciarán Hogan got possession on the edge of the square, he gave the goalie no chance.
Sean Ryan added two points from play and one from a free, before Colum Prendiville burst through the defence to put over an inspirational point. Sean remained steady on the frees, while Prendiville added another point , before Davy Maher did likewise from the narrowest of angles. GBC 1-8, G/W 0-4.
On 26 minutes, Jamie Lawlor produced a game-changer of a goal, as he has done many times this season. Having picked up possession on the half-way line, Jamie set off on a solo run that was only ever going to end with a rattle of the opposition’s net. G/W scored two points before the break leaving the half-time score GBC 2-8, G/W 0-6.
This GBC team had a few close shaves in previous games, but their determination and work-rate was persistent on this occasion. After the restart, Sean Ryan aded two more pointed frees and Davy Maher scored another trademark point from the sideline.
Sean Ryan was now patroling the mid-field zone and he added three points, one from play. Twenty minutes into the second half, Jamie Lawlor struck again with a well placed ball to the bottom right hand corner of the net. This left the scoreline GBC 3-14, G/W 0-9 and Ronnie doing a jig on the sideline.
G/W got a 21 yard free a few minutes later and struck it smartly to the roof of the net. They piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but Killian Egan, Tom Dunphy and Conor Flynn gave an exhibition of high fielding to keep them out. Aaron Brennan and Davy Maher got the last two points, for a fantastic win, GBC 3-16, G/W 1-10.
This was the sixty minutes of hurling that these lads and their mentors knew was in them. Bill Cuddihy in the goal made a couple of key saves, especially late in the second half and he delivered good posession with the puckouts. Throughout the game, the full-back line of Ger Doheny, Evan Walsh and Tommy Ronan was rock solid. Killian Egan, Conor Flynn and Tom Dunphy were unerring throughout, while Geordan Davis covered acres of ground, sweeping ball after ball out of defence. Sean Ryan bagged ten points and was lethal on the frees from all over the field.
Colum Prendiville, Dylan Lanigan and Ciaran Hogan led from the front with passion and steely determination. Jamie Lawlor’s goals left a serious impression on this game. Aaron Brennan and Davy Maher worked tirelessly and both contributed to the scoring.
At the final whistle, young and old from Graigue Ballycallan’s extended GAA family converged on the field, delighted with a well deserved victory. Huge credit is due to the under 16 mentors; Tom Hogan, John Hoyne, Adrian Ronan and Bill Ryan for their immense commitment.
Team: Bill Cuddihy, Tom Dunphy, Evan Walsh, Ger Doheny, Tommy Ronan, Conor Flynn, Killian Egan, Geordan Davis, David Maher, Sean Ryan, Dylan Lanigan, Colum Prendiville, Ciaran Hogan, Jamie Lawlor, Aaron Brennan
Subs: Luke O’Brien for Hogan, David Hoyne for Davis, James Everard for Brennan, George Murphy for Doheny, Peter Murphy for Lanigan ( all 59th minute).
Scorers: Sean Ryan (0-10, 0-6 frees), Jamie Lawlor (2-1), Ciaran Hogan (1-0), Colum Prendiville & David Maher (0-2 each), Aaron Brennan (0-1).