Under 16s lift Paddy Slavin Cup

The Under 16 hurling team travelled to Ballygalget Co Down to defend the Paddy Slavin Memorial Cup on Sat 30th Aug. Ballygalget is an outpost of hurling in the beautiful Ards Peninsula, and the trip up north was seen as an adventure and challenge for the under 16s as they prepared for this year's championship.

 

The team arrived just in time for the opening match between the hosts Ballygalget and St John of Belfast. This game demonstrated the passion that exists for hurling  in this small community in the Ard Peninsula. It was a fast flowing and skilful game , with the local team having many fine hurlers on display. However it was the superior strength of St Johns that won out in the end.

 

After a break of about 30 minutes, next up for Ballygalget was Kilmacud Crokes. Despite the long journey, which also included a short ferry trip from Strangford to Portaferry, Crokes were fast out of the blocks with early goals which settled the team. Thereafter we were given a fine display of team hurling which included some direct goals by Niko Salvino and Jonathan H. Hayes, good link play from Kevin Murphy , Karl Russell and Oisin O’Gallchobhair and accurate points from Eoghan O'Dwyer. Tenacious midfield play by Dillon Mulligan and James O'Keeffe supported by a dominant Jude Sweeney in a strong half back, kept the forwards well supplied. Some changes were made at half time and Crokes dominance increased with Darren Lawlor's move to the half forward line continuing the efforts of the first half. Kilmacud Crokes ran out winners with a score of 8-12 to 1-5.

 

The deciding game of the tournament pitted St Johns against Crokes. The Crokes boys were looking forward to this challenge haven suffered at the hands of  St Johns in a challenge match in early February in Silver Park, . Again the early goals for Crokes settled the team, but this game resulted in a lot more pressure on the full back and half back lines. Fiachra Lynn, Niall Murphy, Brian McHenry and Gary Mellican in the full and half back lines helped protect Sean Garvey's goal and  stem the St Johns attack. Support was augmented by way of the introduction of Stephen Beale and U15 players Oisin O Carroll and Sean Boyd and again the defence continued it's excellent efforts. Crokes eventually ran out winners with a score of 6-6 to 0-4. All that was left now was the presentations and a return of Cup  which was graciously accepted 'as Gaeilge' by team captain Jude Sweeney.

 

After some wonderful hospitality and refreshments supplied by the hosts Ballygalget, Crokes left for the long journey home, happy with their day out and their victory.

 

Many thanks goes to our host Ballygalget and the travelling parents who provided the necessary transport.

 

Squad; Sean Garvey, Niall Murphy, Fiachra Lynn, Brian McHenry, Gary Mellican, Jude Sweeney, Darren Lawlor, Dillon Mulligan, James O'Keeffe, Oisin O'Gallchobhair, Eoghan O'Dwyer, Karl Russell, Kevin Murphy, Jonathan Healy Hayes, Niko Salvino, Stephen Beale, Sean Boyd, Oisin O'Carroll

 

To see images of this tournament click HERE or on the image below

 

 

To see images of other U16s matches in 2008 click HERE