Fermanagh Minor Hurling League Semi-final -2008 Played at Cavanacarragh Hurling Park Monday, 23 June 2008 Knock's Grattan's, 5 gls. 10 pts Lisnaskea Emmet's, 2 gls. 12 pts. Played last Monday 24th June, 2008 on a full sward of grass on Cavanacarragh Hurling Park, this Fermanagh Minor Hurling League Semi-final of this year got off to a fairy quick scoring stark, when Lisnaskea's centre half forward Eamon Curran pucked over his and his sides and the games first point from play.   Stung into action by the temerity of that Skea' score the Knock's side instantly reaped double scoring revenge, when their right half forward Sean McDermott banged in a morale boosting goal from play. Barely had the Emmett's goalie had pucked the slithor far downfield, when it came back up and into the previous hand, who went on a short run and whilst doing fired the ball over the Skea crossbar for the Grattan's first point from play.  Though the Knock's side were decidedly in front with a score of 1 goal 1 point to a mere 1 point for the Skea side, this game settled down in this matches first quarter to a match where points swapped by both teams attackers. Narrowing the Grattan's modest lead, Lisnaskea's mid-fielder Paul Teague pucked over his side's second point from play.  Then for the marginally more accurate Grattan's sides left half forward Micky Montgomery popped over his side's second point.  Then immediately replying for the Emmett's their centre half back Francie McBrien pucked over his first and his side's third point from play. With the games first quarter almost up Micky Montgomery registered his second and his side's third point from play.  Which brought the first quarter scoring to 1 goal 3 for the Grattan's to 3 points for the Emmett's side.   Maintaining his opening half's barn storming scoring performance the Knock's Micky Montgomery fired over his team's fourth point from play.  He was immediately helped in this second quarter scoring routine by the Grattan's mid-fielder Tomas McDermott, who popped over his side's fifth point from play, which created a modest two point's difference between both teams.  With just over ten minutes to the games interval Skea's iconic half back Francie McBrien again raced up to the scoring plate, when he fired over his second and his side's fourth point from play.  However and almost immediately Grattan's centre half back Cahir McElroy maintained his three point margin when he pucked over his first and his sides sixth point >from play.  Modestly stepping up his and Skea's scoring rate Francie McBrien registered his third and his side's fifth and sixth points from play.  In replica of the games opening minutes the Knock's were more than able to counter act any permanent threat to their scoring supremacy when their right half forward Sean McDermott banged home his and his sides second goal.  Stunned by that major opponent score the Skea' side immediately struck back.  Firstly with modest point score, pucked over by their mid-fielder Kevin Shine who popped over the Emmett's seventh point from play.  Then they Skea side's iconic half back Francie McBrien now decisively took this game by the scruff of its neck and banged home a dramatically morale boosting goal for the slightly under the scoring cosh Emmett's.   As half time was about to be blown each side got a further one point each. Firstly Sean McDermott added a seventh point for the Knock's. And then the Emmett's sides equally proficient Francie McBrien pucked over his fourth and side's seventh point.  Half-time scores Knock's Grattan's, 2gls. 7 pts; Lisnaskea Emmet's, 1 gl.  7 pts. Second Half Knock's More Decisive Goals Galore As in the opening half's first minutes there was no time wasted in getting scores.  Barely had the referee's whistle being blown, when the Knock's Micky Montgomery fired over his team's eighth point from play.  Just as the motley collection of mentors and supporters of both competing teams, when the Grattan's were awarded a close in free, which was quickly floated into the twenty metre area, which was lurking they Knock's substitute Eugene Cadden who on receiving the slithor quickly spun around and then banged the ball into his opponent nets. With the early second half score line now showing a massive 3 goals 8 points for the Knock's to a more modest 1 goal 7 points for the Emmett's side. As in this games first half it was Skea side's iconic half back Francie McBrien who replied for Skea' when modestly pucked over his fifth and his sides eighth point.  However it was points that the Emmett's needed, no matter how well they were got.  But goals in shape or form.  It was up to the Skea's right full forward Mickey Fee who at once reduced his opponents lead to a mere three points, when he banged home his sides second and last goal.  The scoring fat was now firmly in the fire.  Now any of the both teams had almost fifty/fifty chance to win this fast and feisty game.  With the games fourth and final quarter fast approaching the match's score line now showed that the Knock's side had accumulated a total of 3 goals 9 points to 2 goals 9 points.  Back to a goal separating contesting teams.  However it was the more ambitious Grattan's who were next up to the match's scoring plate, when their big full forward Ciaran McGrade who clipped over his solitary point but not last score.  But back again came Skea's iconic half back Francie McBrien with a well taken tenth point for the Emmett's.  However the seemly subdued Knock's side came right into scoring mode, when Sean McDermott pucked over his sides tenth but last point.  With a mere goal of difference between teams it appeared that it was all to play for.  However the old mantra that goals win games still holds good.  And that it was what the Grattan side now is concentrating on obtaining.  With less than five minutes to full time the Knock's began to copper fasten their grip on this game, when their big full forward Ciaran McGrade stepped up to the scoring plate for the second time in this match.  But his next score was to halt any ambitions his opponents had in winning this game. It was beautifully taken fourth goal scored on the run.  As token response Lisnaskea's Francie McBrien pucked over his seventh and his side's eleventh point. The Knock's response a well taken fifth goal by Grattan's Sean McDermott sealed the fate of their opponents.  However the games last score was a point from play by the never give up icon from Lisnaskea Francie McBrien. 1 Final scores Knock's Grattan's, 5 gls. 10 pts; Lisnaskea Emmet's, 2 gls. 12 pts. Referee, Sean Magee, Lisbellaw St Patrick's. Teams, Knock's Grattan's, Nial Owens, Sean McElroy, Oisin Boyle, Gerard McConnell, Phillip Mulligan, Sean Cosgrove, Tomas McDermott (1 pt), Nial Hoban, Cahir McElroy ( 3 pts.), Michael Montgomery (2 pts.), Sean McDermott (2 gls. 3 pts.), Ciaran McGrade (1 gl. 1 pt.) & Connor O'Neil. Lisnaskea Emmet's, Shea Curran, Nial Lunny, Nial McGolderick, Brian Owens, David McGorman, Francie McBrien ( 1 gl. 8 pts.), Paul Teague (1 pt. ), Kevin Mohan, Simon Brady, Eamon Curran (1 pt.),  Michael Fee (1 gl.  ), Joseph McCormick, Kevin Shine (1 pt.), Michael Fee (1 pt.),  Manager, Mick Shine. All-Ireland Feile Na Gael Held in Laois-Offaly On Friday 20th June, Saturday 21st June and Sunday 22nd June 2008 Knocks Grattan's under 14 Hurling Team. Knocks Grattan's played their host club, Clonad, on Friday afternoon and, despite putting up a good display, were beaten by a strong team of well developed 14 year olds! On Friday evening the team took part in the parade in Portlaoise, and this year the weather kept fine. On Saturday morning Knocks Grattan's played Mountrath from Co Laois in a great game of hurling, despite the atrocious weather conditions, and were unlucky to be beaten by only a few points.  Mountrath went on to play in the Division Final on Sunday.  The team and supporters were then introduced to Nicky Brennan who was doing a tour of the Feile venues.  Knocks Grattan's' third game was against Mullahoran from Co Cavan.  They again played some great hurling and came away with a comfortable win. On Saturday night the Knocks Grattan's' travelling supporters were to be found in a pub in Portlaoise cheering on the Fermanagh footballers in their win over Derry which rounded off a very enjoyable weekend. The Club coaches want to commend the team on their excellent behaviour throughout the whole weekend - they were a credit to Fermanagh both on and off the field.  The Club would also like to thank the County Hurling Board Chairman, Davy Bannon, and all the supporters who came down to support the team at the weekend. The Knock's Grattan's Feile panel was:- Tomas Clarke, Connor Martin, Patrick McDermott, Dara O'Reilly, Ciaran Clerkin, Colin Logan, Mark O'Reilly, Finbar Delea, Kevin Curran, Martin Beagan, Johnny O'Reilly, Brian McDermott, Caolan McElroy, Matthew Mulligan, Dennis Maguire,  Ruairi O'Maolaghain, Matthew McGrade, Liam-Og Strain, Matthew McGeough, Niall Cadden, Ryan Carney, Conor Maguire, Shane Heaney, Ronan Doran Manager, Noel Mc Elroy. Tweet

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