Result: 3 12 to 0 11
JUNIOR C CHAMPIONSHIP SIDE CAPTURE THE SPOILS
In the world of sport, heroes emerge at all levels of competition. In the minds of the spectators mythical heroes can mingle easily with the “bread and butter” heroes. Such was the case at a damp O’Toole Park on Sunday morning when David and Gerry Doyle (not forgetting Seamus Vaughan) brought their side to the pinnacle of their season’s ambition, the Junior C title. With the Mick Keville touch on board, they ended a few years of frustration with a comprehensive performance against a formidable Whitehall side. The age profile of the side varies widely, from the younger men just out of Minor to the “he’s not still playing! Is he?”
Boden opened with a “one and one”, David Garry with a free and Cian Hiney with the first of his two goals, Brian Cummins having created the opportunity. Cathal Ryan replied with a point from a free, although on the terrace Scratch Fletcher and Neddzer were demanding Hawkeye! Alan McGrath got a fine block in, and from the resultant clearance Gavin Duff used his considerable experience to bag a beauty. Garry and Ryan exchanged frees to leave the score at 1.3 to 2 points, before a move involving Neil Farrell, Hiney and Morgan Ryan led to a goal, Ryan left with considerable work to complete the sequence.
Hiney was fouled to create another pointed free from Garry, but that started a run of three points from the Northsiders, Ryan again the danger man. 2.4 to 7 points. Back came Boden, Ryan finding Cummins for a point, a valuable score after ten lean minutes. In defence Declan Keating welcomed several guests to the edge of the square, four in all, engaging in some “getting to know you” exchanges. He acquitted himself well, prospering with some no nonsense defending, no quarter given, none expected!
David Keville worked tirelessly in the engine room to open chances for the inside men and Boden finished the half the better, Dooley (80 metres) and Garry bagging fine scores. Half Time 2.7 to 0.7.
The break afforded another opportunity for some terrace banter, Scratch eulogising on the “glory days” of Junior hurling at the club, Neddzer looking almost confused and, for a change, unable to get his tuppence halfpenny worth in!” Did all that really happen?”
The story of the second half was chiefly about two men, Hiney, and in particular, Keville. Hiney completed a fine move with a clever back flick to the Whitehall net after only three minutes. He almost completed his hat-trick midway through the thirty, but the referee failed to give him advantage. Keville was everywhere, blocking, hooking, peeling off, passing and generally dominating the play in his quarter. Elsewhere David Kelly played the safety card, determined to keep the goals out and contribute to a fine defensive performance. At the other end, yes it was Keville again creating a chance for Garry and the point of the day, a looped score from tight space out wide. A feature of Garry’s game was his high catching, causing some defensive panic in the Whitehall side.
The last ten minutes of the game was very much about containing the Northsiders and nailing down a decent gap. Cummins took over the free taking duties and notched some beauties. Around the park Mark McGovern, Dooley, Fergal Murray, Aiden Horgan and Jason Long put in the hard yards to ensure domination by the Borden side. The game petered out with some loose shooting, when perhaps there were good opportunities for a classy finish. The presentation and captain’s speech were short and sweet, players keen to save some energy for the “formal” event later in the evening.
MVP. David Keville
Team; David Kelly, Mark McGovern, Declan Keating, Alan McGrath, Ronan Dooley, Jason Long, Mark Judge, David Keville, Neil Farrell, Gavin Duff, Colm Sweeney, Brian Cummins, Cian Hiney, Ciaran O’Brien, Morgan Ryan, David Garry,
Captain, Fergal Murray, Alan Carter, Dave Kirwan, Aiden Kirwan.
Management; David Doyle, Gerry Doyle, Mick Keville, Aiden Reilly