Shamrocks 2-9, Shamrocks 0-5.
This was the first league game for both and Ballygarvan opened it up with a comfortable victory over Shamrocks in Ballygarvan on Sunday morning last. From a Shamrocks point of view the managers and selectors expected a bit of rustiness at seasons start but allowing for that, the display was most definately below par and will not suffice for the year ahead. Manager Pat McCarthy was a disappointed man afterwards and let the players know in the dressingroom afterwards – lots of improvement needed and expected, both on and off the field.
Shamrocks actually started much the brighter and put together some lovely moves, none more so than the games opening point from one of Shamrocks best players on the day, Barry Mulqueen, a flowing team move finished off from 40 yards out. Shamrocks were enjoying plenty of possession at this stage but things seemed to break down inside the 40 yard line. In the meantime Ballygarvan had started to inch their way slowly into the game and kicked a few scores. They punished some sloppy play in the Shamrocks defence by blasting home two quick fire goals coming up to half time to give themselves a 5 point cushion at halftime, 2-1 to 0-2.
Shamrocks again started brightly after the throw in and sub Seanán Collins kicked a great score to bring the deficit back to 4 points. It went to 5 and back to 4 after Stephen O’Neills point. Whatever chance Shamrocks had of clawing back the gap disappeared after Ballygarvan got completely on top for the next 15 minutes and basically did as they pleased and kicked over 6 points in a row and the game was all over. Shamrocks plugged on until the end with one goal chance going abegging with time almost up.
One positive from the mornings events was the return of Michael O’Neill and Eoin O’Mahony to the Shamrocks colours and im sure they will be good additions as the year goes on. Also, 23 players togged out bodes well for the Junior B’s who’ll be swinging into action soon enough. Colin Brady, who had to go to hospital as a precaution after receiving a blow to the mouth, is fine after treatment.
Team: F. O’Neill, D. O’NEill, S. Hurley, J. Tuohy, M. Prout, C. Kidney, N. Hayes, B. Sweeney, B. Mulqueen, M. O’Neill, E. O’Mahony, C. Caffrey, S. Keane, A. McCarthy, S. O’Neill. Subs used – C. Brady, S. Collins, J. Browne, S. Jordan
