Shamrocks 3-12, Tracton 3-11
As you can judge from the final score, this was a fantastic game of ball between two teams who gave it their all and ran themelves to a standstill in wet Shanbally on Friday evening last. After a great hours football, Shamrocks had to withstand a great Tracton second half to win by just the one point.
Shamrocks were the better team in the first half and led by 2-6 to 2-4 at halftime. But they felt that they were worth more than the 2 point lead as they dominated possession but some sloppy shooting, some great defending from Tracton and an over reliance on trying to score goals not to mention conceding 2 soft goals at the other end meant that Tracton were right in touch at the break. New player Billy Hughes blasted home a goal after only 30 seconds of his first ever game in a Shamrocks jersey and Cillian Hayes also scored a great goal after a fantastic team move. Dylan O’Flaherty, who worked hard throughout also scored some neat points as did Daniel O’Mahony in that half.
Due to 2 injuries picked up and the threat that Tracton posed when they attacked, a rejigged Shamrocks team took the field in the second half. Tracton started very well and scored 1-2 early on to lead by 2 points. Shamrocks refused to yield and came back with 3 points to lead by one. It was up and down the pitch by this stage and the supporters at this stage were getting rightly stuck in on the sideline, to make a great atmosphere! Then Tracton got a goal to lead again by 3 points. Shamrocks refused to yield once again and Luke O’Driscoll stabbed home a vital goal and the teams were level. Tracton went a point up, Shamrocks responded to draw level before man of the match, Cillian Hayes, who played an absolute blinder at midfield for Shamrocks got the opportunity to kick the winning point off his trusty left peg and Shamrocks were winners by a solitary point.
The mentors of Jed O’Flaherty and Patrick Andrews were very happy afterwards with the players who showed great discipline and determination to come back strong when it was needed most.
Team: R. Van Pelt, C. O’Mahony, C. Murphy, D. Gregson, E. Seymour, J. Sisk, C. Hayes, D. O’Flaherty, D. O’Mahony, S. Andrews, B. Hughes, L. O’Driscoll, H. Andrews.
Cillian Hayes in action V Tracton, 9/5/14
