Cian and Adam rock the house
Arklow side topple St Pat’s
ARKLOW ROCKS ST PATRICK’S
IT was U13 finals day in Ballinakill, when Arklow Rock Parnells and St Patricks met in this Shield decider. While the pitch was sticky, the sun was out and the teams took to battle this one out.
There was plenty of passion, skill and will to win on display from both teams. With a big roar from both huddles, the ball was in and off we went. The most impressive thing in this game was the work rate of both teams. The hooking and blocking was incredible, and a testament to both coaching teams.
The game started at a frantic pace, with the Rocks hitting the net within 30 seconds of the throw in. Cian Redmond lashed the ball to the net for Arklow. St Pats struck back with three points on the trot, with James Curry getting two and Johno Moorehouse selling a delighful dummy and firing over. The Rocks popped two scores themselves through Tiernan Gahan and Bill Connors.
It was tit for tat as we headed to half time. Arklow banged two goals from Cian Redmond and Adam O’Leary, answered by the Wicklow Town men who grabbed a goal for themselves through Michael O’Brien. St Pats added two more points through Moorehouse and Bill O’Brien.
Half-time and this was a very entertaining game of hurling – ARP 3-3 St Patricks 1-5.
The second half was as entertaining as the first. It was the story of Arklow however, as they did most of the damage in this half. St Patricks will rue some missed chances, but Arklow took their scores when they came.
Cian Redmond grabbed two more goals for the Arklow men at the start of the half. He was ably assisted by Adam O’Leary, Bill Connors and Tiernan Gahan, who all grabbed points. They were also working hard at the back, with Patrick Shaw, Theo Byrne and Donnacha Murphy all hurling well.
St Patricks didn’t give up. They pushed hard and fell foul of a large wide count at the end. Johno Moorhouse and Adam O’Brien bagged points, while Ciaran Matthews, Cian Hubbard and James Curry giving it their all for Wicklow.
Overall, the Rocks ran out deserved winners.
Their passion for the game was immense and the future looks bright for this team.
Man of the Match: Adam O’Leary
Scorers: ARP – Cian Redmond 4-0, Adam O’Leary 1-2, Tiernan Gahan 0-2, Bill Connors 0-2. St Patricks – Johno Moorehouse 0-3, James Curry 0-2, Michael O’Brien 1-0, Bill O’Brien 0-1, Adam O’Brien 0-1.