Played in wet, greasy conditions in Páirc Uí Dromgúil, our minor hurlers had to grind out a well earned win last Wednesday night against a dogged Garryspillane team. While the scoreboard had us finish the game 7 points to the good, the match itself felt much closer for the majority of the 65 minutes. The absentee list for this tie was made up of David O’Keefe, Jack Hannon, Thomas Fitzgerald and Adam Fitzsimons. Darragh Jordan resumed his position between the sticks while Ronan Benson started on the bench, him feeling slightly under the weather earlier in the week. His time on the sideline didn’t last long as he was called into action after 15 minutes with Tadhg Mullane coming off due to injury. 

The Bouncers started the game well with 2 scores from play. We followed this with a point from Shane Waters and an Alex Kearns free. Then came our first goal chance of the game. Garryspillane’s puck out was caught by Alex in the middle of the field, delivered to Shane inside, who gave a well-timed pass to a running Mark Hogan. He forced a good save by the keeper. Mark quickly made up for the missed goal chance with a cool score from play. On 12 minutes, Louis won a valuable possession on the 45, passed to Harry McGann, who laid off to Shane. Shane proceeded to ride 2 tough tackles and slot the ball over the bar. The bouncers hit back with 2 of their own scores from play. 15 minutes gone, trailing 7 points to 5, and definitely raining.

On 20 minutes Brossie won a ball in the middle of the field, took a few belts for his trouble and delivered to Paul Mc at 14. Our full forward got around his man and slotted between the posts. A good score, well earned. The next phase of play saw the Bouncers full forward win a high ball, followed by a tussle with John O’Keefe. Referee Donnacha O’Callaghan awards a free in for our opponents. Fair enough. Well, the Garryspillane man wasn’t happy with his free and proceeded to pull the helmet clean off John’s head. Mild chaos ensued with the Garryspillane sideline. Ronan Lynch got involved. Hard to know what Lynchy said. We think the “W” word was used. A word more common to the Association Football terraces in England. Tempers calmed and the ref threw in the ball. 

Our full back line gave a solid display throughout, limiting their front 3 to scraps in the first half. All bar conceding a penalty in which Darragh psyched out the taker into driving the placed ball high and wide. The resulting puck out was taken quickly, straight to Danny at centre back, who played it down the field to Bermo, who had just been introduced for Leon. Bermo held the ball up, got it out to Shane who helped himself to his third point of the opening half. Just on the stroke of  half time with us leading by 2, Harry battled back possession in the middle of the field, gave a lovely pass to Alex who sees Bermo coming at speed. Only one thing on this mans mind, and that’s goals. Bermo roofs his second goal in as many games. Half time score: Na Piarsaigh 1-10 Garryspillane 0-08

Our opponents got the first 4 scores of the second half and were looking energised after the break. You wouldn’t think they were down to 14 with the way they were playing but such was the case. The rain had settled but conditions were still very slippery underfoot. Our first clean possession of this half and we won a penalty, Paul Mc being dragged down in the area. Alex stepped up and blasted off the crossbar. He settled for a point. Garryspillane got 2 more scores before Louis pointed after having 3 or 4 hurleys broken off him in the process. The Bouncers then hit us for a goal. The attacker soloed in from the left, hand passed across the 14 to the man waiting to double on it into the corner. The Bouncers were now 2 ahead with 43 minutes played. Paul Mc responded with a good point from play and Alex from way out, scoring from a free. The Woodview man was 100% from placed balls this week, which was serious going considering the tough conditions. On 50 minutes, Brossie took possession in a dangerous position, went straight at goal and buried it. As with Louis’ point 10 minutes earlier, Brosie had a few hurley’s wore off him on his way to scoring. The flakes weren’t fazing our man. 

Garryspillane had a second man sent off with their wing back taking a second yellow on 55 minutes. The following play saw Mark Hogan outpace his man and stick Na Piarsaigh’s third goal of the game. Our comfortable safety net didn’t last long with us conceding a goal and point in quick succession. Bermo grabbed an important point to settle us back into the game and kill any of their momentum. Shane Waters closed out the game with 2 more points from play, bringing his tally to 6 points for the day. Not a bad return for a man who was still playing in the Féile earlier this year. Notable other performances from our 2 corner backs in Sean Harrington ad Brian Connolly, along with Danny at 6 and Harry McGann at midfield. Final score: Na Piarsaigh 3-21 Garryspillane 2-17

The result sees us topping the group alongside Monaleen. Details of the knockout stage will follow in the coming days. 

Team: Darragh Jordan, Sean Harrington, John O’Keefe, Brian Connolly, Michael Duggan, Danny Sheehan, Tadhg Mullane, Harry McGann, Leon Power, Louis Murphy (0-01), Mark Hogan (1-01), Alex Kearns (0-09, 6f 1’65), Shane Waters (0-06), Paul McDonagh (0-02), Eoin Brosnan (1-01).

Sub used: Ronan Benson, Conor Bermingham (1-01), Joseph Corcoran. Subs not used: Ben O’Regan, Marcus Murphy.