Byrne the Glenealy hero as they hold off Dwyers
UNDER-13 A HURLING SHIELD AND PLATE FINALS
GLENEALY MICHAEL DWYERS
A man of the match performance from midfielder Lorcan Byrne inspired Glenealy to victory in the under-13 Division 1A Plate final over a desperately unlucky Michael Dwyers outfit last Sunday morning in Ballinakill.
It was Dwyers who settled quicker with centre forward Andy Corrigan scoring three excellent points from placed balls. With the westerners’ pair of Callum McRae and Daniel Byrne hurling superbly in defence it took Glenealy 15 minutes to open their account, Lorcan Byrne striking a free from the halfway line with the aid of a stiff breeze.
Ivor Fenton in the Dwyers goal was superb, stopping a goal chance and miraculously blocking a certain Byrne point that was at least two feet over the bar. Byrne did narrow the gap with a super score from way out on the right wing.
Two excellent scores from play by Corrigan, the second of which he clipped up and made space for himself, had the lead out to three before Glenealy hit back before the interval. Conor Doyle burrowed through a gaggle of bodies before a beautiful wristy effort found the target. Byrne then struck a free through a plethora of men to the Dwyers goal to put the Glens into the lead for the first time.
Michael Dwyers tied it up just on strike of half-time; full-back Daniel Byrne who was a rock all day found McRae in space and the classy defender found the range from distance.
With Fenton moved out the field for the second half Dwyers were immediately on the front foot with the first half netminder striking two superb solo efforts on the run, the second of which was an audacious effort from way out on the right wing. Two Byrne free kept the reds in touch, however Corrigan (2) and Fenton added to the westerners’ lead.
With ten minutes to go Dwyers appeared to be on top and aided by the breeze would have fancied themselves to kick home, however Glenealy got a momentum shifting goal.
Byrne launched a ball into the danger zone and through sheer presence and heart Alex O’Dowd managed to bundle the ball home to tie up the scores.
Shortly after, Byrne had Glenealy in front with another free. Dwyers were not to lie down and Corrigan showing the composure of a seasoned veteran, rifling another free between the sticks as the game entered injury time.
It was up to Byrne to take the plaudits with another super free from an awkward angle as time elapsed.
A super game of championship hurling with Andy Corrigan, Ivor Fenton, Daniel Byrne and Callum McRae all to the fore for the westerners. For Glenealy, Keith Lawless in goal was excellent, his puck outs extremely accurate, Emmet Ronan manned the centre back position excellently and Alex O’Dowd was lively throughout.
However, man of the match had to be Lorcan Byrne who scored 1-6 of his team’s total and set up another goal.
Scorers - Glenealy: Lorcan Byrne 1-6, Alex O’Dowd 1-0, Conor Doyle 0-1.
Michael Dwyers: Andy Corrigan 0-8, Ivor Fenton 0-3, Callum McRae 0-1.