Lisgoold 9-9, Shamrocks 5-4
Despite the scoreline, Shamrocks u14 hurlers turned in a fantastic display against a strong Lisgoold team in Lisgoold on Wednesday night. The conditions were perfect for hurling on a lovely sunny evening.
Shamrocks had been well beaten by Kinsale in their previous game the week before and Lisgoold had beaten Kinsale well beforehand. So the fact that Shamrocks pushed Lisgoold all the way until the last 10 minutes showed that they lifted their performance in the meantime. Their hurling was of a much better quality and all the lads got stuck in without once losing their discipline or complaining to anyone. They never gave up and their first touch was much improved which is the main aspect of what the selectors are looking for this year.
Shamrocks played their best hurling in the first half and can count themselves a tad unlucky to be behind at halftime by 1-5 to 2-1. Sam Geary and Shane Downey scored the Shamrocks goals to keep Shamrocks right in the game while at the other end of the field, Evan Seymour was having a blinder clearing ball after ball. Robert Van Pelt in goal showed a massive improvement in his goalkeeping skills and brought off at least 3 great saves.
Lisgoold did get on top in the second half and used their panel accordingly (Shamrocks had only the 12 players). They got through for a few goals and went 12 points up. Shamrocks never gave up and responded with 2 goals from Shane Downey at centre field who gave Lisgoold all sorts of problems with his direct running. He compleded his hat-trick and Harry Andrews also scored a goal from a free (1-3 in total). Eventhough Lisgoold got through for the 9 goals, if the lads can continue hurling away at home and at training, they will soon stop that kind of number going past them.
The managament afterwards were delighted with the attitude and performance and thanked all the players plus the parents who made the trip down to Lisgoold. U14’s have a break now until the Tuesday that the schools go back. Some will be involved with u12 next week, others with the U16’s.
Team: R. Van Pelt, E. Seymour, F. Herlihy, S. Browne, C. Murphy, J. Sisk, S. Downey, S. Andrews, D. O’Mahony, H. Andrews, S. Geary, L. O’Driscoll.
Daniel O’Mahony about to strike the sliotar V Lisgoold, 15/4/14
