Minor Hurlers Go In Search of First Title Since 2016
Next Wednesday evening, our young minor squad will battle it out with Monaleen in search of our first minor title since 2016. This year has seen a return of the even age grades with minor moving back from U17 to U18. Our lads have made the most of the extra 12 months together, after coming off the back of a tough season in 2023.
Scorers: Alex Kearns (1-07, 1-06f), Paul McDonagh (2-00), Eoin Brosnan (0-04, 0-01f), Shane Waters (0-03), Mark Hogan (0-01).
We were drawn in a group with Monaleen, Bruff and Garryspillane. Round 1 of the competition pitted us against our city rivals Monaleen. In what was a cracking game played in a sunny Peafield, the tie was to end in a draw. We entered the break 7 points up but our opponents reeled us back in. It was score for score in the dying moments of the game with the ref finally calling time with the sides remaining level.
Scorers: Alex Kearns (0-11, 0-07f), Mark Hogan (0-05), Conor Bermingham (1-00), Shane Waters (0-02), Eoin Brosnan (0-02), Tadhg Mullane (0-02), Danny Sheehan (0-01), Ronan Benson (0-01), Louis Murphy (0-01), Paul McDonagh (0-01).
Round 2 was played in Páirc Uí Dromgúil with our lads going in search of their first win. A solid display from start to finish saw us run out comfortable winners.
Scorers: Alex Kearns (0-09, 0-06f, 0-01’65), Shane Waters (0-06), Mark Hogan (1-01), Eoin Brosnan (1-01), Conor Bermingham (1-01), Paul McDonagh (0-02), Louis Murphy (0-01)
The third game of the group saw us grind out a victory against a tough Garryspillane side. In what were horrendous conditions for hurling, our lads dug deep to finally pull away in the closing moments of the game. A tie that wasn’t pretty, but was certainly well earned.
Scorers: Alex Kearns (0-11, 0-07f), Shane Waters (0-05, 0-03f), Mark Hogan (0-03), Eoin Brosnan (0-03), Louis Murphy (0-01), David O’Keefe (0-01), Conor Bermingham (0-01).
Played in Claughaun, our opponents Murroe Boher had tipped the other group by winning all their games, each of them by impressive margins. We had to settle for second in the group based on our inferior scoring difference to Monaleen. A rip-roaring game from start to finish, neither team could hold onto the win after normal time. Murroe Boher took the advantage early in that extra period but our lads stuck with their task and ground out a 1-point win.
Minor management of John Hogan, Podge Kennedy, Declan Benson, Tommy Grimes, Mike Brougham and Denis Duggan.
We now look forward to a county final in a year like no other. Only last week our minor footballers, many of whom will tog this coming Wednesday, were victorious in their football final. To be playing in a final in both codes within the same season is an achievement in itself. But no doubt our lads won’t settle for just reaching the showpiece game. We’ll see ye all in Mick Neville Park on Wednesday evening.
Minor Squad that lined out for our semi-final over Murroe Boher: Darragh Jordan, Mike Duggan, John O’Keefe(C), Adam Fitzsimons, Tadhg Mullane, Danny Sheehan, Harry McGann, David O’Keefe, Ronan Benson, Louis Murphy, Mark Hogan, Alex Kearns, Shane Waters, Conor Bermingham, Eoin Brosnan, Paul McDonogh, Sean Harrington, Leon Power, Marcus Murphy, Brian Connolly, Joseph Corcoran, Thomas Fitzgerald, Joe Patton, Leon Power, Ben O’Regan, Jack Hannon.
