Shamrocks 2-4, Tracton 3-4
Shamrocks went down by a goal to Tracton in the first league game of the new league year. It was a very encouraging display in difficult circumstances from the lads on display and it bodes well for the season ahead. A theme that was repeated throughout the underage this weekend – poor player turnout – stymied the lads on duty. All our underage league competitions this year are 12 a side and we just managed to scrape together the minimum. But the players on duty gave everything they had, despite being reduced to 11 players for the last 10 minutes. Tracton were the better team in the first half with the aid of the breeze and led by 5 points at the break, 1-3 to 0-1 at half time, Alex O’Sullivan with the lone Shamrocks score.
However, a half time re-evaluation seemed to work the trick as, despite an early goal consession which put Tracton 7 points up, Shamrocks never gave up and a few positional switches seemed to work. They showed great determination to claw their way back to within 3 points at the end and indeed can count themselves somewhat unlucky that 2 late attacks for the equalising goal broke down at the last stage. However, some of the lads ran themselves to a standstill and can look forward to a good years football ahead if that attitude is kept up.
On the day, David Raleigh was simply outstanding in the Shamrocks goal, he must have made 6 top class saves, including one from a penatly. Coby O’Grady continues to improve in defence. Joe O’Brien and Rory Horgan, both carrying injuries ran until they could run no more. Darragh Scriven played a lot of ball as did Andrew O’ Grady in the second half. Alex O’Sullivan led the line well all through Aonghus Boland was his usual competitive self and played very well on the wing. Next training session this Wednesday March 2nd at 4.30pm at the Track.
Team: D. Raleigh, C. O’Grady, S. Kelleher, J. O’Brien, B. Crowley, R. Horgan, A. Boland, A. O’Sullivan, D. Scriven, N. Hayes, A. O’Grady