Shamrocks 3-10, Kinsale 2-10
The Shamrock Junior Hurling team powered by the starlets of last years Minor champions, manfully and sportingly defeated Kinsale at Ballygarvan and qualified for the quarter finals.
Six Minor players were chosen to start with two more joining the fray later.
Sadly the victory was dampened by a serious injury to our outstanding team Captain Brian Sweeney (Todds). His contribution at centre back was enormous and midway through the second half he was taken out of the game as a result of a cynical and foul charge. His injuries were very serious, resulting in a 15 minute delay in the game. He had to be transferred to hospital. We all wish Brian a speedy recovery and no doubt the news of our victory brought him some consolation.
Kinsale took the game to Shamrocks and recorded some fine early scores. Their physical presence in the forward line posed many difficulties for our full backline in particular.
Credit the goalkeeper and the three lads outside of him, they coped manfully. Going forward, some of our shooting was poor and we recorded nine wides in the first half. Kinsale led throughout the opening half and they added two fine goals for their efforts. At the break they led by two clear goals.
Shamrocks got off the a positive start in the second half with Andrew O’Grady converted a well struck penalty. It was all to play for now and our lads were not found wanting. Full forward Darragh O’Sullivan struck a great ground ball into the Kinsale net and we were all square.
Our tails were up and the youngsters had only one thing in their mind and that was outright victory. O’Grady hit our third goal from another well taken close in free and even though Kinsale threw the ‘kitchen sink’ at us, our backs were in no mood for compromising. We were very worthy winners when Referee Nathan wall blew the final whistle.
Shamrocks suffered a setback in the dressing room when it was learned that chosen full forward Chris O’Neill would be unable to play. Then the sad departure of our team captain was another severe blow. Our lads were not for flinching and it seemed that the bigger the hurdle the more they tried. We had fifteen stars along with the substitutes who were called into the fray at vital times.
It was a good night to be a Shamrock.
Team : Cormac Scriven, Johnny Tuohy, Cathal Kidney, Sean Kidney, Jason Browne, Brian Sweeney (Capt.) Alan McCarthy, Barry Mulqueen, Andrew O’Grady, Roy Twomey, Darragh Scriven, Thomas Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Darragh O’Sullivan, David Andrews.
Subs used; Mark Hitchmough, Coby O’Grady, Aonghus Boland; also Ronan Murphy, Senan Collins,, Shane Kelleher, Dave O ‘Neill.
