Drama aplenty in Glenalbyn Schools tournament

In the opening round robin games both sides took on Blackrock College, under the stewardship of Mr Malone.  Short some regulars, the seasiders battled gamely but had to bend the knee in each case.  This set up the finale between the boys in green and the Dublin 6W school. 

The close rivalry between the finalists, honed over many years on the rugby pitch, found full and fair expression.  Had admission been charged, spectators would undoubtedly have felt they got their money’s worth.  Close, competitive, quality hurling and more of it was the order of the day.  On a sod that was in very good shape the game flowed one way and then the other.  When Gonzaga went into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead it looked as if they might pull away.  However, Terenure, managed by Wexford intercounty footballer, Mr Philip Wallace, reined them in to 0-3 to 0-2.  The Ranelagh school pushed ahead again and led 0-4 to 0-2 at the break.

 

The second half was every bit as close as the first.  With seven minutes to go Terenure went into the lead for the first time.  A Gonzaga goal restored the advantage and now it seemed as if they might hold out.  With time nearly up, Terenure equalised.  Both sides then had chances to win in and narrowly missed.  Regulation time finished 1-5 to 0-8.

 

Extra time was now called for and this was even more thrilling than the main game.  Once more it was end to end stuff.  Tired limbs were overcome by a huge desire on either side to emerge victorious.  Nothing was easily given and such was the intensity of the tackling that few if any free shots were afforded with the result that, while there were several near misses, in the ten minutes of extra time played neither side added to the score sheet.  In keeping with the spirit in which the entire tournament had been run it was decided that both sides should leave with honour intact and the trophy was shared.  For the next six months its home will be in Ranelagh and then it will move further west.

 

Kilmacud Crokes Hurling was delighted to welcome the three schools to Glenalbyn and are very grateful for the co-operation of the schools’ authorities.  We hope all the boys taking part had an enjoyable day and had their appetites for hurling whetted further.  We extend particular thanks to the teachers and helpers involved with each of the teams and we are most appreciative of the work done to arrange the tournament by Tom O’Donnell, Dublin GAA Schools Officer, and Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Coach, Niall Corcoran.  We also thank referee Derek Oman and the many others who contributed to the success of the event in any way.

  

For images of the day click HERE or on the camera above!