The Minor Board was entertained with another full schedule of fixtures over the weekend. We start first with the battle of the unbeaten between St. Barnabas and Rockland on Saturday morning in Rockland. This contest proved the pure heart and determination of the young bloods from both clubs. The first half was an intense sea-saw battle the entire thirty minutes with net minders Eric Badey for the Saints and Nick Sumsery for Rockland under constant pressure but managing to keep the Onion bag under tight grips. The halftime score read 2-1 for St. Barnabas and 2-0 for the Rockies with Eddie Hogan striking home 2 major scores. Which was answered with two from Rockland by Kieran Walsh and Kevin Duffy. Niall Curran put the green and gold ahead with a point to finish out the half. Rockland came out blazing in the second half with a pair of scores (1-1) to put the home side ahead by a goal straight away. The Saints opted for the slow and steady approach, tacking on 7 unanswered points in the remainder of the second half to finally burst the goose egg in the Rockland "L" column. Credit to both clubs, at this the 5th week in the schedule without registering a loss. The rivalry between these two clubs has seeped into the U-10 division and we will have to wait until the post season to witness the replay. Best for St. Rockland were the defense of Gerry Healy and Ryan Traynor at the midfield were Kieran Walsh and Garvin Lee and up front Kevin Duffy and Aiden Weir. And for the victors, the forwards steered the ship with John Crow, Eddie Hogan and Sam Neary at the helm with Gerry Sullivan and Frankie DiGeorgi in control at the backs. Staying in Rockland on Saturday St. Brendan's and Celtics met for a slate of four games. The Under 10 game was the closest of the day as both sides exchanged scoring chances and at the half, St. Brendan's were in the lead by a score of 1-2 to 1-0. The second half saw more of the same, but Celtics were able to take better advantage of their opportunities and they came from behind to take the win by the narrowest of margins, 1-4 to 1-3. The Under 12 game was a one sided affair as St. Brendan's were too strong for the Celtics 15, many of whom had played in the previous Under 10 game. At the final whistle, St. Brendan's were the winners by a score of 3-12 to 0-0. The Under 14 game was close for the first 10 minutes, but then St. Brendan's began to move the ball throughout the field and convert their scoring chances. In the end, St. Brendan's kept their unbeaten streak for the season alive with a convincing 4-11 to 0-1 win. The last game of the day was the Under 16 match up between Maggie Tierney's unbeaten Celtics and the newly formed St. Brendan's side. In the early going, Celtics won a flurry of procession out field, registering 4 well taken points. St. Brendan's midfield dug in pulling down their fair share of procession and tallying two points of their own before Celtics closing out the first half with two points to take a halftime lead of 0-6 to 0-2. The second half saw Celtics take the early scoring with two points, but their goal efforts were denied until C.J. Malloy raced through with a pile driver of a shot from the 14 that was somehow stopped by St. Brendan's keeper Pat Smyth Molloy however, found the rebound and made no mistake the second time 'round. This game was not over as St. Brendan's regrouped and marched downfield for a succession of points to keep the Celtics close. At the end of this highly entertaining encounter, Celtics emerged the victors by a score of 1-10 to 0-7. Strong for the Celtics were the trio of scorers with CJ Molloy out front with (1-4) Daniel Tierney (0-5) and Shane O'Connor bringing up the rear with (0-1). Giving their best from the Maroon and white, Colin McGee, Sean Rielly and Brendan Flynn. In Fairlawn on Saturday, St. Josephs played hosts to St. Raymond's. In the U-10 match up St. Joe's jumped out to an early lead with two quick goals before St. Raymond's could settle and went on to win by a score of 2-3 to 0-6. Despite intense pressure from Shane Slattery (0-5) in midfield and Devin Flanagan (0-1) at full forward the back line of St. Joe's held solid. Also playing well for St. Raymond's were Declan Byrne, Kevin Kelly and Calin Walsh. Shane Slattery was the St. Raymond's man of the match. In the U-12 match last league champions, St. Joe's proved too strong as they defeated St. Raymond's 5-9 to 1-2. The game was even at half time with 1-2 each as Shane Slattery contributing 1-2 for St. Raymond's after receiving beautiful passes from Conor Herity (0-1) who was controlling mid field. However, forced changes by St Raymond's at the half led to total domination at mid field by St. Joe's and it wasn't long before the Raymond's defense collapsed. Credit should be given to Robbie Grey, Michael Enright and John Kilkenny for giving their all for the losing side. The experience and speed of St. Raymond's proved to much for the St. Joseph's side in the U-14 match which St. Ray's won 4-6 to 3-2. St. Raymond's midfield anchored by Victor Harris (3-1) was dominant through out the match. While their backs didn't impress with the exception of Ciaran Slattery St. Raymond's forwards did enough to ensure the out come of the match was never in doubt. Also playing well for St. Raymond's were Seamus Lawton(0-1), Drimir Fuergerson (1-1) , Neil McDonnell (0-1), and Katie Kilkenny(0-1). The Rangers traveled north to take on Westput in two very entertaining matches. In the U-10's defense was the name of the game as both squads were not giving the opposing offenses any room to operate in. The Rangers got a late first half point to take a 0-1 to 0-0 lead at half. In the Second half, Shea Coyle put over a point to put Rangers up by two but Danny Feighery answered with a well-taken point to draw Wesput within one. However Paidrig Flynn restored Rangers lead to two points with a great point, securing the win for the boys from the Bronx, with Rangers victorious 0-3 to 0-1 in a well played game with points at a premium. Leading Rangers to victory were Paidrig Flynn(0-2), Shea Coyle(0-1), Aidan Tansey, Cillian Guilfoyle, and Paul Reynolds. Best for Westput were Danny Feighery(0-1), Mairead Hynes, Matt Minniter, Aidan Hynes, and Matt Cassidy. In the very spirited U-12's match up, the Rangers racked up a 0-2 lead before a Brendan Hynes goal gave Westput a 1-0 to 0-2 lead at the half. However, The Rangers' dominance in the middle of the field began to wear down the Wesput defense and their quick passes started to produce scores. Rangers were a very deserving winner at the end, 1-9 to 1-1. Leading the Rangers were Brian Twomey(1-3), Shane McIntyre(0-2) , Owen O'Donohue(0-3),Donnacha O'Dwyer(0-1), and Kevin Daly. Giving their all for Westput were Brendan Hynes(1-1) , Caitlin Hynes, Megan Bradbury, Kieran Donnelly, and Mairead Hynes. To finish out the schedule on Sunday morning under 'Irish conditions' the Celtics and St. Raymond's met in Paddy's Field for a pair of games in the U-16 and 18's division. The Celtics continued their clean slate in the sweet sixteen's coasting to a rather comfortable win over St. Ray's with the score line reading 3-10 to Celtics and 1-8 to the Saints side. Best for Celtics were Rory Creegan, Brendan Guerrier and Tommy Brady. Drimir Ferguson, Paudric O'Connor, Seamus Lawton and Stephen Lawless all had their irons in the fire for the Saints side. The subsequent match proved an adverse result as St. Raymond's pulled one back from the Celtics winning by a margin of 2-7 to 1-8 a two point win for the Blue and Gold. In a fast paced and challenging contest St. Rays managed to keep a step ahead. Best for the victors were Mike Ruane, Brian Downing, Jimmy Ruane, TJ Higgins and Shane Denneny. Daniel Tierney gave his all leading the Celtics with a tally of 1-4 in support were Chris O'Connor, Brian Hegarty and Justin Friel. There is no news to speak of in the coming week, the Minor Board have taken a hiatus from action for Memorial Day weekend and will be back in action come the first weekend in June with the last of regularly scheduled fixtures, before the start of the Post season. Clubs are reminded to please fulfill any miscellaneous matches within the next two weeks or the points will not be figured into the post-season tally. Tweet

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