Whitescross 4-12, Shamrocks 1-5
Shamrocks were very competitive in the early stages of this championship match played in Ballygarvan. Seán Andrews got things off to a flying start with a nicely struck point from the half forward line. Joseph O’Keefe quickly followed up with a nicely struck free from the 21 yard line. However Whitescross came thundering into the game with some powerful hurling notching up 3-8 in the first half. To be fair, the Shamrocks lads battled bravely but Whitescross had some powerful hurlers in key positions. Mark Hitchmough was superb in goals pulling off some fine saves and setting up attacks with some decent puck outs. Unfortunately, Shamrocks were not able to take scores due to some resolute defending by Whitescross. However, Joseph O’ Keeffe did catch the Whitescross defence napping with a finely struck goal from a free on the twenty fifth minute leaving the half time score of Whitescross 3-8 to Shamrocks 1-2.
The second half resumed with one change of personnel, that being Killian O’ Mahony for Sam Geary at corner forward. In the second half good teams usually choke the opposition and Whitecross proceeded to do just that to Shamrocks. Shane Downey and Cathal Murphy tried their best in the full back line but despite their best efforts Whitescross began to pick off some nice points. Cillian Hayes really began to thunder into the game at left half back and was a constant thorn in Whitescross’ side as he gained valuable possession and drove forward at every opportunity.
Ruairi Mehigan, at right half back, also won valuable possession and surged forward at every opportunity but Shamrocks were unable to notch off any scores though coming close a number of times. James Lynam played the captain’s role and played his heart out at centre back . Joseph O’ Keffe had the difficult job of containing their best hurler at centre field while David O’Sullivan at centre forward found it difficult to make headway.
Under 12 players Dylan O’ Flahertay and Seán Andrews battled on the wings in the half forward lines but were well marked by two fabulous players. David Johnson and Killian O’Mahony tried their best in the full forward line but their supply was limited due to the dominance of Whitescross. The game finished on a scoreline off Whitescross 4-12 to Shamrocks 1-5. The Shamrocks boys are to complimented for their brave efforts and it is clear underage hurling in the club has a future with these boys. This Whitescross team will definitely walk the C grade championship and one may wonder why they didn’t compete in the B grade with the quality of players at their disposal.
Shamrocks Team : Mark Hitchmough, Cathal Murphy, Shane Downey, Ruairi Mehigan, James Lynam (captain), Cillian Hayes, Joseph O’Keeffe, Dylan O’ Flaherty, David O’ Sullivan, Seán Andrews, Sam Geary and David Johnson.
Sub – Killian O’ Mahony for Sam Geary.