CUMANN LUTHCHLEAS GEAL

Bitter disappointment for our under 16 hurlers in Dungarvan on Easter Monday. A far sharper Tipperary outfit gave us no chance in this Munster Semi Final played in good conditions in Fraher field in Dungarvan. They were certainly the better team leading by 1-8 to 0-2 at half time. We were playing against a strong breeze in the first half. Five placed balls gave Mid Tipp a 6 points to no score lead after 20 minutes. Thomas Lawton kept us in the game with 2 pointed frees. But the heartbreaker came on 30 minutes when Mid Tipp got a lucky goal – just before half time. We were outmanoeuvred completely in the second half despite the aid of the strong breeze. Mid Tipp had scored a further 2-2 before Shane O’Driscoll raised a white flag. Consolation goals from Ed Flavin and Shane O’Driscoll put some respectability on the scoreboard.
A sad way, then to end three years hard work. Bord na n-Og would like to thank our selectors, Thomas Abernethy, Niall Forbes, Bill Kelleher, Sean Harnedy and Pat Smith for their effort and commitment not only this year, but over the last three years. Certainly the highlight has to be the victory in the Dick Barrett Shield last year. We would also like to thank and complement all the players who worked so hard over the last four months ands indeed over the last three years. I can only say that from my position on the sideline that all the players involved were a credit to their families, their clubs and indeed themselves.
Scorers: Shane O’Driscoll 1-1, Ed Flavin 1-0, Thomas Lawton 0-2(frees)
Team: Padraig O’Brien (Killeagh/Itas), Sean Forbes (Carrigtwohill), Padraig O’Shea (Midleton), Captain, Patrick O’Brien (Midleton), Brian Collins (Killeagh/Itas), Cian Smith (Sarsfields), Pat O’Sullivan (Carrigtwohill), Shane O’Driscoll (Sarsfields), Niall Griffin (Fr. O’Neills), Seamus O’Farrell (Midleton), Thomas Lawton (Fr. O’Neills), Paul Haughney (Midleton), Luke O’Farrell (Midleton), John O’Sullivan (Carrignavar), Shane O’Driscoll (Sarsfields)
Subs Used: Joe Cashman, Daniel Moynihan, Ed Flavin and Sean Long
Substitutes: David Crowley (Sarsfields), Ed Flavin (Youghal), Sean Long (Killeagh/Itas), Daniel Moynihan (Russell Rovers), Joe Cashman (Sarsfields), Seamie Harnedy (Killeagh/Itas), James Nagle (Midleton), Cian Harte (Carrigtwohill), Gary Grey (Sarsfields), Conor McDowell (Cobh), Sean Crotty (Killeagh/Itas), Ciaran O’Mahony (Youghal), Eoin O’Sullivan (Sarsfields), David McCarthy (Cobh), Walden Drake (Cobh)

Imokilly 6-8 North Tipp 2-10

A Game of 2 Halves
Our under 16 hurlers continued their Munster campaign with a quarterfinal tie in Midleton. Our hopes were high after an excellent performance 2 weeks ago against West Tipperary. However things didn’t go our way in the first half. West Tipp playing with a strong breeze got into their stride and were two goals and a point to the good after 8 minutes. Thomas Lawton pointed a 65 to put us on the score sheet on the 9th minute. Further North Tipp points left them 10 points in front. Two frees from Lawton kept us in the game in the run up to half time. Three more North Tipp points kept the pressure on our lads. We finally got a break when Shane O’Driscoll worked his way through to goal just before half time. 2-8 to 1-3 at half time.
A spirited Imokilly team took the field for the second half and the Fr. O’Neills man Lawton got us off to the best possible start pointing a free. Luke O’Farrell then goaled. A harsh penalty was awarded against us but was saved. Then Paul Haughney ran right through the North Tipp defence to score a great goal. This was followed by a Shane O’Driscoll goal and a Thomas Lawton point. John O’Sullivan then scored a great goal from the end line and points from Luke O’Farrell and Shane O’Driscoll left us in a comfortable position going in to the last 5 minutes. But O’Farrell wasn’t finished yet, chipping in with a goal. Thomas Lawton pointed a free to leave us 6-8 to 2-10 at the final whistle.
This was a very tough game for our boys and a great game for us to win. Two goals down after 6 minutes and up against a very good hurling team left us with a mountain to climb. But this team has character and courage in abundance. When our defence was under strong pressure they stood up and were counted. Padraig O’Brien, as ever was dependable in goal. Padraig O’Shea played a captains part at full back and Cian Smith had a solid game at centre back. Sean Forbes and Peadar O’Brien had good games at corner back while Brian Collins and Pat Sullivan were two outstanding wing backs. Daniel Roche and Niall Griffin were prominent all through. Our forwards did the business with Shane O’Driscoll scoring 2-1, Luke O’Farrell scoring 2-0, John O’Sullivan and Paul Haughney scoring a goal a piece and Thomas Lawton putting 7 points on the board.
We now look forward to a semi final game on Easter Monday. Great credit must go to our selectors, Thomas Abernethy, Niall Forbes, Bill Kelleher, Sean Harnedy and Pat Smith. Roll on Easter Monday!

Scorers: Thomas Lawton 0-7, 5 frees, 1 65; John O’Sullivan 1-0; Luke O’Farrell 2-0; Shane O’Driscoll 2-1; Paul Haughney 1-0;

Team:

Padraig O’Brien (Killeagh/Itas),

Sean Forbes (Carrigtwohill), Padraig O’Shea (Midleton), Captain, Peadar O’Brien (Midleton),

Brian Collins (Killeagh/Itas), Cian Smith (Sarsfields), Pat O’Sullivan (Carrigtwohill),

Shane O’Driscoll (Sarsfields), Niall Griffin (Fr. O’Neills),

Seamus O’Farrell (Midleton), Thomas Lawton (Fr. O’Neills), Paul Haughney (Midleton),

Luke O’Farrell (Midleton), John O’Sullivan (Carrignavar), Shane O’Driscoll (Sarsfields)

action v North Tipp ----------------------------selectors all

Imokilly 3-18 West Tipperary 0-3

Our under 16 hurlers got 2006 off to a good start in Fermoy on the 25th of March with a comprehensive defeat of West Tipperary in the Munster Under 16 Inter-Divisional championship. In dreadful conditions they put on a good display of hurling to reach the quarter finals of this prestigious competition.
Thomas Lawton pointed a free to give us an early lead, followed by points from Niall Griffin, Paul Haughney, Seamus O’Farrell and Luke O’Farrell. Good work, then from Seamus O’Farrell giving a great pass to Thomas Lawton who left in a quick ball for John O’Sullivan who gave the West Tipp keeper no chance for his first goal of the game. The industrious Shane O’Driscoll got his first point of the game and this was followed by O’Sullivans second goal following good work by Brian Collins. Another Lawton point left us in a comfortable position at half time.
In the second half Imokilly never left West Tip into the game. Points from Thomas Lawton, Seamus O’Farrell and a Cian Smith 65 had us well in control before excellent work from Niall Griffin set up a Luke O’Farrell goal. Further points from Thomas Lawton, Shane O’Driscoll, Brian Collins, Luke O’Farrell and sub Joe Cashman left us 3-18 to 3 points at the final whistle.
This was a great team performance from last years Dick Barrett winners. Padraig O’Brien was always dependable in goal. Padraig O’Shea and Cian Smith were always solid and dependable in defence. Our wing backs Brian Collins and Pat O’Sullivan played very well while Sean Forbes and Peader O’Brien were dependable all through. Niall Griffin and Daniel Roche dominated midfield while our six forwards played very well as a unit. Great credit must go to our selectors Thomas Abernethy, Niall Forbes, Sean Harnedy, Bill Kelleher and Pat Smith. They have put a lot of work in this year and lets hope that continued success will come their way. We now await the draw for the quarter finals and look forward to our next game on the 8th of April.
Scorers: Thomas Lawton 0-7, 2 frees; John O’Sullivan 2-0; Luke O’Farrell 1-2; Seamus O’Farrell 0-2; Shane O’Driscoll 0-2; Paul Haughney 0-1; Niall Griffin 0-1; Cian Smith 0-1, 65.
Team:

Padraig O’Brien (Killeagh/Itas),

Sean Forbes (Carrigtwohill), Padraig O’Shea (Midleton), Captain, Peadar O’Brien (Midleton),

Brian Collins (Killeagh/Itas), Cian Smith (Sarsfields), Pat O’Sullivan (Carrigtwohill),

Shane O’Driscoll (Sarsfields), Niall Griffin (Fr. O’Neills),

Seamus O’Farrell (Midleton), Thomas Lawton (Fr. O’Neills), Paul Haughney (Midleton),

Luke O’Farrell (Midleton), John O’Sullivan (Carrignavar), Shane O’Driscoll (Sarsfields)

Substitutes: David Crowley (Sarsfields), Ed Flavin (Youghal), Sean Long (Killeagh/Itas), Daniel Moynihan (Russell Rovers), Joe Cashman (Sarsfields), Seamie Harnedy (Killeagh/Itas), James Nagle (Midleton), Cian Harte (Carrigtwohill), Gary Grey (Sarsfields), Conor McDowell (Cobh), Sean Crotty (Killeagh/Itas), Ciaran O’Mahony (Youghal), Eoin O’Sullivan (Sarsfields), David McCarthy (Cobh), Walden Drake (Cobh)

Rules:
1. No postponements are to be allowed. This includes U16 players on minor county panels.
2. In the event of a draw 10 minutes a side extra time will be played in all games.
3. Mid week replays will in the event of adraw after extra time.
4. Referees will be appointed in consultation with Kevin Walsh of the Provincial Referees Committee. The emphasis will be on young promising referees.

Fixtures
First Round March 25th, ¼ finals April 8th, Semi Finals April 17th, Final April 22nd.

Round 1 March 25th, All games 12.00 noon
Mid Tipperary V Avondhu Cahir
South Tipperary V East Clare The Ragg
West Tipperary V Imokilly Fermoy
East Waterford V West Limerick Cashel
Byes – Seandun, Limerick South East, North Tipperary, Mid Clare