The O'Donovan Rossa Under 12 hurling team faced St. Johns for the second time in three years in the Nipper Quinn Hurling Shield Final. For a juvenile hurler in Belfast playing in the 'Nipper Quinn Finals Weekend' is one of the first South Antrim Championships that children under the age of twelve get to play in and represent their clubs, so for most it's kind of a big deal! It's the one tournament that gets people in the city talking about the number of Nipper Quinn medals tucked safely away in the drawer from the 70's, 80's and 90's. Being involved in the tournament produces as much anticipation and excitement for parents and coaches as it does for the children because of the fond memories of the competition over the last 5 decades.
The Rossa squad were drawn to play in the preliminary game on Monday the 8th September against the 2013 champions St. Galls at Milltown. The game was hotly contested with Rossa winning 0-11 to 0-1. A game of no goals, but end to end action with many goal scoring chances at both ends of the pitch. This put Rossa up against the amalgamation of St. Bridgid's and Éire Óg, Brid Óg in the semi-final on Saturday while St. John's played Gort na Mona in the other semi-final. Both Rossa and St. Johns prevailed setting up a much anticipated Nipper Quinn final.

The conditions on Sunday were super for hurling and many parents and supporters filled the bank at Rossa Park to cheer on both teams. Rossa backs Paul McLoughlin, Michael McDade and Ruairc Murray, led by Fionn McIlroy in nets delivered a solid performance - supported by Barry Hegarty and Ben McAuley. The half backs Liam Groves, Dylan Magee and Conor Rooney displayed a great example of unwavering nerve while handling each and every St. Johns breakthrough with steadfast grit. In and around midfield Eoin Trainor, Owen May& Michael McEnhill provided an energetic campaign from start to finish covering every blade of grass and had a gruelling battle with their St. John's counterparts.

A super performance in the half forward line from Mattie McKernan and Charley Cooley helped provide ample opportunity for the target men of Ruairi Murray, Daire Murphy and James Devlin. A special man of the match performance for Conor Boyle, who played with fast feet and breakneck speed championing the Rossa victory. Others on the day who contributed greatly were Conor McGuigan Conall Mervyn, Anton Carville and Diarmuid Rogan.

A great performance by both teams in the final who will no doubt go on to meet again over the coming years providing both sets of supporters with plenty to look forward to.

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