Under-10’s reach Naas Tournament Shield Final

While one group of Under-10’s “stayed at home” to play Faughs in Oatlands, a second group travelled to play in the Naas Tournament Shield on a lovely mid-June Saturday.

The first match saw Kilmacud Crokes play against Naomh Eanna (Gorey). The Crokes team started tentatively and conceded an early goal. As the half progressed, however, Nathan Slattery and Dylan Crossan goaled to leave the Dublin boys ahead by 2-0 to 1-0 at half-time. Just as in the first half, Naomh Eanna started the half strongly with two well taken points to leave the minimum between the teams. Once again, Crokes responded with goals from Nathan Slattery and James Callanan before Mark Scanlon scored a lovely point to leave the score 4-1 to 1-2 entering the last few minutes. Near the final whistle, Dylan Crossan put the icing on the cake with an opportunistic goal.

The second match, which saw Kilmacud Crokes square up to Cork’s Na Piarsaigh, was a different story. Two goals and a point down at the interval, the Crokes defence was severely tested in the second half but came away with their heads held high. Despite conceding only one score in the second half, it was not enough. Best for the Kilmacud boys was Aaron Murphy and the half-back line of Barry MacGabhann, Scott Penny and Yassin Siegrest.

The third match was against Naas and, in effect, was a semi-final with the losers heading for an early return trip along the N7. The first half was a closely fought affair with Harry Doyle’s well struck goal separating the teams at the interval. In the second half, a Barry MacGabhann free and an excellent goal from Conor Fahy meant that Crokes qualified for a re-match with Na Piarsaigh in the Shield final.

For some unknown reason, the start time for the afternoon final was delayed and.... delayed and...delayed. On the positive side, this meant that the boys (and the large contingent of fans – mainly mothers of aspiring Henry Shefflins!) missed a torrential downpour. On the other hand, there were mutterings of rebellion as a couple of players grappled with the real possibility of missing a much coveted appearance at a friend’s Birthday Party! In any case, once it was “gently” explained that no self-respecting hurler would ever choose a visit to the cinema over a hurling final, the team was ready to tear into the Cork boys.

And so when Nathan Slattery struck for an early goal, it took Na Piarsaigh some minutes to come to terms with the fact that their earlier victory was no guarantee of a repeat success. Nonetheless, the Cork boys gradually got on top to lead 2-1 to 1-0 at the interval. Although Barry Mac Gabhann’s early second-half free was not enough to draw the teams level, it did instigate an extended period of whole-hearted hurling where both teams battled hard to gain the upper hand. In the end, some excellent saves from Cian Coleman (in goal) and sterling defence from Stephen Tuite, Niall Bezeci and Cian Mac Donncha was not enough. Despite another Conor Fahy goal and battling performances from Cathal O’Connor, James Dalton, Owen Shearer and James Callanan, Na Piarsaigh ran out winners on a score of 4-4 to 2-1.

Team Panel:- Cian Coleman; Aaron Murphy, Stephen Tuite, Niall Bezeci; Barry MacGabhann, Eamonn Keating, Yassin Siegrest; Nathan Slattery, Cathal O’Connor; James Dalton, Dylan Crossan, Mark Scanlon; Harry Doyle, Conor Fahy, Owen Shearer; James Callanan, Cian MacDonncha, Scott Penny and Peter Smith.