Report by Tomás McCluskey:
Graigue-Ballycallan had their first championship football tie this year against Inistioge in the Rower on Sunday 29th March. Sixteen players were available and took to the field on an extremely stormy day. Inistioge won the toss and played downhill and with the wind in the first half. Against the run of play Ballycallan scored a goal after twenty minutes and this was the only score of the first half.
Inistioge dominated the play in their forwards for most of the half but were unable to make the chances count. Eoin Delahunty was outstanding at full back ably supported by Jason O’Brien in goal and JJ Ryan and Kevin Ging on the full back line. Alex McCluskey, Eamon Corcoran and Simon O’Dwyer stemmed the Inistioge attack and instigated the counter attacks. Midfield was outstanding with excellent displays from Oisin Egan and Daniel Lawlor. Our forwards worked hard with Stephen Keoghan, Finn Lanigan, Scott Lawlor covering huge ground and very effective on the ball. They were supported by Jack Walton, John Muldowney and Paddy Brennan. During the second half period we held Inistioge to one goal and with a strong wind in our favour scored 2-9 to bring our final total to 3-9. Mark Brennan came on in the second half and proved effective corner back.
Full time score: Graigue Ballycallan 3-9 Rower Inistioge 1-0
Scorers: Stephen Keoghan 0-4, Jack Walton 1-0, Oisín Egan 1-5, Daniel Lawlor 1-0