Report by Martin Delahunty
Graigue Ballycallan U14s got their league campaign underway on Friday 15th April 2016 when Mooncoin visited Tom Ryall Park . Our boys were very slow to settle on the night and the southern boys marched into an 8 point lead without breaking their stride. It took a few scores from the hurls of Oisín Egan and Paddy Brennan for the boys to finally realise they were in a game. The half time whistle blew with the scores at 2-4 to 6 pts in favour of Mooncoin.
A few stern words were exchanged by the mentors at the break and a huge effort was expected by this talented bunch in the 2nd 30 minutes. With that the lads were lively from the blocks and a few beauties from Oisín and Paddy had the locals just one point in arrears with 10 minutes to go. Unfortunately, lady luck sided with the southerners when a mishit shot from the Mooncoin full forward managed to creep inside the goal post and give a bit of breathing space to the visitors. The GBC boys fought to the bitter end and buried a late goal from Oisín and despite a late 21 yd free to try steal victory it wasn’t to be and Mooncoin won out on a final score line of 3-7 to 1-11 .
A valiant effort form the lads but a huge lesson in the importance of getting into their stride early doors and at this level, you can’t afford to just have one scoring forward. Lots to learn and Lots to work on.
Team – Dan Cahill, Mark Brennan, JJ Ryan, Eoin Delahunty, Kevin Ging, Shane Comerford, Craig Lawlor, Brendan Dunne, Oisín Egan, John Muldowney, Paddy Brennan, Scott Lawlor, Jack Walton, Tom Brennan, Liam Cleere.
Subs: Jack Butler, Conor Walton, Liam Walsh, Stephen Robinson, Oisín Conway, Billy Egan, Billy Dowling, Eoin Egan, Ciaran Dowling, Finn O’Byrne.