Offaly U14 Hurling Finals
September 17, 2012U14 A Hurling Final
St Rynaghs Vs Kilcormac/K in Kinnitty 2.30pm Referee T Carroll
U14 B Hurling Shield Final
Lusmagh Vs Shamrocks in Banagher 11am Referee S Flemming
U14 B Hurling Final
Ferbane/Belmont Vs Drumcullen in Banagher 12.30pm Referee A Ryan
Next Saturday 22nd Sept will see the Finals of the Offaly GAA U14 Hurling Championships with 3 games down for decision on the day.
U14 A Hurling Final
In the U14 A Hurling Final, age old rivals St Rynagh's & Kilcormac/Killoughey meet at 2.30pm in Kinnity. This game is an eagerly anticipated re-match as when the sides met in the early rounds of the championship there was just a puck of a ball between them with St Rynaghs ending up on the right end of a 4-08 to 3-09 scoreline.
If the final repeats half the exhibition of hurling from that game then we are in for some treat. It is a very difficult call to put a favourites tag on either team as each have been in excellent form all year.
Kilcormac/Killoughey showed their class early in the year when they won the Offaly GAA Feile na nGael title in impressive style and represented the county at the National Finals in Dublin. St Rynaghs meanwhile have been unbeaten in competition since losing to Birr in that Feile competition in March.
This game is surely one not to be missed for both supporters of the clubs and neutrals alike and a large crowd is expected in Kinnity for 2.30pm next Saturday where a display of hurling is almost a guarantee.
Paths to the Final:
Kilcormac/Killoughey St Rynaghs
beat CRC Gaels 4-16 to 1-02 beat CRC Gaels 7-10 to 2-04
lost Coolderry 1-10 to 6-11 beat Kinnity 5-18 to 4-05
beat Ballinamere/Durrow 10-14 to 2-02 beat Birr 8-11 to 2-02
beat Birr 3-10 to 2-06 beat Na Fianna 4-14 to 3-04
lost St Rynaghs 3-09 to 4-08 beat Kilcormac/Killoughey 4-08 to 3-09
beat Na Fianna 6-17 to 2-10 beat Ballinamere/Durrow 7-22 to 0-05
beat Kinnity 7-12 to 2-11
Semi Finals
Kilcormac Killoughey 2-15 Kinnity 1-04
St Rynaghs 3-13 Coolderry 1-10
Kilcormac/Killoughey
Squad: Dean Brummell, David Bracken, Nathan Charles, Peadar Coughlan, David Coyne, Joe Daly, Kevin Daly, Adam Dalzell, Eoghan Donoghue, Cathal Gath,Rory Gleeson, Karl Guinan, Conor Hayden, James Kelly, Dylan Leonard, Stephen Leonard, Conor Lowry, Kieran Moore, Evan Mulrooney, John Spain, Michael Ryan, Conor Quinn, Dylan Young, Peter Bracken, Niall Egan, Liam Mahon.
K/K were Offaly's representatives at the Feile in Dublin this year. There is a lot of young talent on this team with a few of them representing the club on the Offaly under 14 panel.
St Rynaghs
Squad
Thomas Corcoran, Timmy Cox,Daniel Curtis, Graham Daly, Anthony Devery, John Flannery, Ciaran Flynn, Enda Flynn, Daryll Gaughan, Fergal Hanamy ,Michael Harrington, Denis Healy, Dominic Healy, Michael Healy, Robbie Hernon, Oisin Hickey, Aaron Kenny, Oisin Larkin, Barry Moylan, Luke O Connor, Jordon Pender, Enda Regan, Daragh Tierney,Eoin Woods
There was disappointment for this team at the start of the season when they lost to Birr in the Feile semi-final having comfortably come through the group stage the previous day. However the team quickly got down to work in preparation for the championship.
Our u14 team have progressed to this year's final following an unbeaten run in the championship. They now face a K/K side with whom they had their closest encounter of the year, winning by just 2 points in a keenly fought encounter. Throughout the championship all of the panel had opportunities to play , while numerous practice games also helped to keep the team sharp.
Having qualified for the semi-final, St. Rynaghs were drawn to face Coolderry, who they had defeated two years ago in a thrilling U12 final. Following a very close 40 minutes St. Rynaghs pulled away in the end to win by 9 points to seal their place in the final.
Management
The U14 team is lucky to have some of our clubs former players involved in coaching them, in David Hughes, Martin Hanamy and Eunan Martin, while Cormac O'Connor and Gearoid O'Reagan complete the management line up. The club would also like the thank the players parents who have helped transport the players to matches throughout the county. We would also like to thank all who supported our fundraising efforts during the year.
Ones to watch in the final
Eoin Woods - Eoin has been the top scorer for St. Rynaghs in this year's championship from the Full Forward position. Eoin gave an outstanding performance in the semi-final.
Fergal Hanamy - Captain of Offaly U14 team this year. A natural defender who has the ability to read the game and position himself in the right place.
Aaron Kenny - A versatile player who is still underage next year. Aaron can line out in defence and attack.
Robbie Hernon - A key member of the attack who wins a lot of ball and sets up scores.
U14 B Hurling Finals
The U14 B Hurling Final takes place in Banagher at 12.30pm on Saturday 15th Sept and will be contested by Drumcullen and Ferbane/Belmont. Both sides have been very impressive in their march to the final however Ferbane/Belmont will probably enter the game as favourites given their superior scoring power over the course of the Championship.
Drumcullen won 7 of their 9 games only suffering defeats to Clara and today's opponents Ferbane/Belmont meanwhile Ferbane/Belmont dropped only one point in their group games when drawing with Clara in a thrilling game which finished 4-07 each. When the sides met in the group Ferbane/Belmont prevailed on a 2-11 to 2-05 scoreline however both sides will have learned from that game so expect a closer game this time around.
Path to the Final:
Ferbane/Belmont Drumcullen
Beat Shinrone 4-07 to 4-06 Lost Clara 5-03 to 4-10
Beat Tullamore 3-14 to 4-02 Beat Lusmagh 5-06 to 4-04
Beat Brosna Gaels 7-14 to 0-02 Beat Shinrone 5-05 to 1-05
Beat Edenderry 7-13 to 3-07 Beat Tullamore 1-10 to 0-04
Drew Clara 4-07 to 4-07 Beat Edenderry 2-11 to 3-06
Lost Shamrocks 4-06 to 5-09 Lost Ferbane/Belmont 2-05 to 2-11
Beat Drumcullen 2-11 to 2-05 Beat Brosna Gaels 3-09 to 1-14
Beat Lusmagh 3-05 to 2-06 Beat Shamrocks 2-07 to 1-07
Semi Finals
Ferbane Belmont 8-09 Clara 3-08
Drumcullen 4-06 Shinrone 0-09
Drumcullen
This year's championship was one ten team group in which we have had 7 wins and a narrow loss to Clara, and today's finalists Ferbane/Belmont. The championship must be considered a success as it provided many competitive matches for clubs and one which has run very smoothly. I would like to thank Bord Na nÓg for running the competitions but in particular Breda Connors, who has the unenviable job of providing the fixtures, and she has been a constant source of help for any enquiries throughout the year.
Drumcullen Minor Club would like to thank the management team of Joe Troy (Trainer/Manager) and his selectors, Mike Connolly, P.J. Kealey and John Cashin for all their efforts throughout the year and we wish them and the panel the very best of luck in the final today. Also, we extend thanks to Chairman Michael Carroll, Secretary Joe Troy, and all
of our committee members, at both senior and minor level. A special thank you must go to the parents, who have been excellent in bringing the players to trainings and games, supporting the teams, helping out with fundraisers or anything we have asked of them.
Ones to watch out for
Ciaran Guinan. The baby Tommy Walsh, who still a tender 12 year old, represented Offaly at u14 level this year in the Tony Forristal Competition and certainly one to watch.
Barry O Meara. Captain and leader of a determined backline. A workhorse with a tremendous heart and steel about him.
Barry Kealey. A dominant presence at centre back throughout the year, his fielding and delivery has been a joy to watch.
Sean Kinsella. A highly skilled and versatile player who has played a number of roles throughout the year.
Cathal Dooley. Strong, determined and comfortable on the ball. Cathal is the silent assassin of the team who goes about his work effortlessly.
Eoin Gath. Still u-12 but one to watch for the future. Freetaker for the team and one who has a keen eye for the goal. Keep an eye on the red-haired one.
Ferbane/Belmont
Ferbane/Belmont previously won the Oran Caulfield cup in 2003, 2007 and 2009.
The Squad is: Shane Murphy, Michael Wren, Oisin Daly, Declan Boylan (C), Conor Butler, Ronan Butler, Lorcan Daly, Adam Nugent, Conor Kenny, Patrick Clancy, Seán Flynn, Michael Egan, Brendan Doyle, Killian Egan, Kyle Higgins, Ronan Hynes, Seán Ibbotson, David Nally, Cian Johnson, Gavin Kelly, Ronan McGuire, Emmet Molloy.
Team Mentors: Aidan Kelly, Aidan Egan, Brendan Butler
U14 B Hurling Shield Final
Also in Banagher on Saturday morning next the U14 Hurlers of Lusmagh & Shamrocks will play the U14 B Hurling Shield Final as a curtain raiser to the B Final. This game will take place at 11am.
Both sides finished mid table in the group and while Shamrocks ended the year just ahead of Lusmagh on the table, it is Lusmagh who will enter the Shield Final as favourites having won their Round 1 clash on a 4-05 to 1-06 scoreline. However, with a strong season of hurling behind them expect the Shamrocks lads to ensure a closer finish this time around.
Lusmagh beat Tullamore in the semi final on a 4-10 to 2-5 scoreline to reach the final.
Lusmagh
Full Panel: Dean Kelly, James Troy, Cillian Troy, Eibheann Kelly, Caolan Kelly, Daire Kelly, Eimhin Kelly, Paddy Byrne, Mike Troy, Eamon Corcoran, Ciaran Corcoran, Finnian Kelly, Aaron Kelly, Ethan Killeen, Matthew Moran and Sam Rilot.
2012 Campaign: Having been tight on numbers at various stages throughout the year owing to holidays and the like, we're delighted to end up in a shield final. We played nine group games in total, ending up with four wins and a great draw with Shinrone. Some of our best games were played in defeat, particularly our two point loss to Ferbane/Belmont in Moystown, a game which featured some fantastic hurling from both sides. We were just one win from making the semi-finals proper and gained revenge for group defeat when defeating Tullamore in a high scoring shield semi-final.
Acknowledgements: We would like to thank Brian and Gary who have looked after the boys all year. We would also like to say a special thanks to the parents, who have driven all over the county in support of the team and have been very giving of their time and help.
Star Players: We've had many star performers throughout the year and like most underage teams, will be looking to those boys in their last year in the grade to lead the way. Eimhin Kelly, Caolan Kelly, James Troy and Paddy Byrne all featured on the Tony Forristal squad at different stages while Eamon Corcoran has been busy on the dual-code front, featuring heavily in St Rynaghs march through the football competition. Dean Kelly is also in his last year playing U14 and has been rock solid between the posts all year.
Shamrocks
Shamrocks U14 Hurlers made steady progress during the year and were only knocked out by a late Drumcullen goal, have a hard-working panel including the determined Darren Brady and Conor Moran at the back, the skilful Niall Mooney, Wayne Mooney and Shane Kearney further afield and strong hurlers in the likes of Stephen Malone, Dylan Dunne, Paul Luby and others will not give in easily.
Squad : Derek Mooney,Darren Brady, Conor Moran, Stephen Malone, Dylan Dunne, Paul Luby,
Jack Molloy, Niall Mooney, Shane Kearney, Gerard O Gorman, Wayne Mooney, Evan Dunne, Shane O Toole, Declan Mulpeter, Mark Malone Cathal Healion, Mark Buckley, James Moran, Peter Moran, Michael Hickey, James Larkin, Robert Cantwell, Padraig Cantwell, Jack Watkins, Conor Buckley, Joey Minnock, Matthew Molloy.
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