Our U15s made an early start on Saturday the 21st August to take on Clara in the opening round of Féile 2021, in a well organised but overcast O’Loughlin Gaels GAA grounds.
Clara made a bright opening and only for some great defending by the full back line of Oran, Aidan and Robbie Lynch and in particular Sean McGrath’s goal keeping skills, we could have found ourselves a goal or two down early on. Once we settled into the game, we began to dominate key positions. Midfield’s pairing of Frank and Michael soon got on top of things to send in good ball to our forwards. Substitutes Sean O’ Halloran, Keelan and Shane Hogan made a great impact on the team to help us get over the final line. Ben Young at full forward impressed scoring 2-1 to have his best game of the season so far, ably assisted by the young but skillful deadly duo Cormac and Ben Mc. We won this game on a score line of GBC 2-3 Clara 0-4. Scorers: Ben Young 2-1, Cormac Neary 0-1, Eoghan Cahil 0-1.
Our second game saw us play in dogged conditions but with an overall dominant performance against Tullogher Rosbercon. First half goals from Tony Butler and Ben Young gave us a commanding 2-3 to 0-1 point lead at half time. Our half forward line of Robbie Tector, Eoghan Cahill and Tony began to dominate and fresh legs from Reggie and Aidan Ging helped us see out the second half with a hardworking honest display of hurling to finish winners GBC 2-8 Tullogher 0-4. Scorers: Tony Butler 1-1, Ben Young 1-1, Cormac Neary 0-4, Ben McEvoy 0-1, Eoghan Cahil 0-1.
We then progressed to play Graignamanagh in the semi-final. This was a tight affair, leading 2 points to 1point in the closing stages of the first half. Then commanding center back Páidí Egan won possession and drove forward, his long strike ended up in the net to see us lead at half-time GBC 1-2, Graignamanagh 0-1. It was really a top defensive performance in the 2nd half as the half back line of Shane Cody, Páidí and Cillian withstood everything Graignamanagh threw at them, backed up by that impenetrable back four. This match finished GBC 1-3, Graignamanagh 0-3. Scorers: Páidí Egan 1 goal, Cormac Neary 0-2, Ben Young 0-1.
So we made the short journey across to Nowlan Park to take on Barrow Rangers in the Division 2 final. This is where the boys came alive. From the throw-in they attacked every ball with purpose, moved the ball quickly and produced a stunning first half performance to lead 0-4 to 0-1. Aidan Ging was introduced at half time and made an immediate impact setting up a well finished goal from Tony Butler. Cormac Neary and Eoghan Cahill worked particularly well together to keep the scoreboard ticking over with some well taken points. Barrow Rangers fought back gallantly but found our defence, led brilliantly by Sean, Aidan and Páidí impossible to breach. A second goal arrived from Ben Young three minutes from full time to seal a historic victory on a score line of GBC 2-7, Barrow Rangers 0-4. Scorers: Ben Young 1-1, Cormac Neary 0-4, Tony Butler 1 goal, Eoghan Cahil 0-1, Ben McEvoy 0-1.
GAA President John Horan was in attendance to present captain Aidan Comerford with the winning plaque.
- This is only the 2nd time Graigue Ballycallan have won the Féile. 1992 saw the club win the Division 1 competition featuring names such as John Hoyne, James Ryall, Eddie Brennan and Jimmy Lynch.
- Jimmy’s son Robbie Lynch played a key role at corner back on the 2021 version.
- In our four games played today; zero goals were conceded. This is some achievement from our goalkeeper Sean McGrath.
Well done to the management team of Tom Hogan, Pádraig McCluskey, Niall Egan and Ger ‘Rackard’ Neary. Thank you to the first aiders Olivia and Ann and our umpires on the day Alan, Shane and Paddy. Finally thank you to our Covid Officers Michele Commerford and Adrian.
Panel: Sean McGrath, Oran Hoyne, Aidan Comerford (capt), Robbie Lynch, Shane Cody, Páidí Egan, Cillian Hoyne, Frank McCluskey, Michael Tynan, Robbie Tector, Eoghan Cahill, Tony Butler, Cormac Neary, Ben Young, Ben McEvoy, Sean O’ Halloroan, Shane Hogan, Reggie Carthy, Keelan Lynch, Aidan Ging, Martin Brennan, Sean East.
Report by Niall Egan