Bray power to victory but Pat’s tried to the end

U-16 hurling at Ballinakill a Mikey Griffin point in the opening minute. Bray steadily built up a lead over the next 10 minutes with points from Ciaran McKay, Cian Lohan, Stephan Flynn and Davy Maloney (2). Paddy Moorehouse got St. Pat’s second point at this stage.

The Wicklow town lads had a plentiful supply of ball from midfielders Patrick Murphy and Luke Synnott in these early exchanges but a strong Bray defence had the upper hand.

McDara O’Midheach pointed a 65 and Rona McMahon added a point from play for the Emmets before Griffin struck for his first goal for Pats on 20 minutes. Cian Lohan responded almost immediately with his side’s first goal and Ciaran McKay netted their second three minutes later.

A Davy Maloney free put Bray ten points clear as half time approached.

A late surge by Pat’s led to a point from a free by Paddy Moorehouse and Mikey Griffins second goal to leave the gap at six points at the break – 2-9 to 2-3.

St. Pat’s were still in it and when Mikey Griffin completed his hat-trick of goals at the start of the second half they looked as if they might get back in the game.

However, that was as good as it got and the Bray lads went up a gear from here on to the end. A total of seven players got on the scoreboard during the second period as the Emmets went on to add 3-14 without reply to run out comprehensive winners.

Davy Maloney bagged 1-7 of that second half total. James Anders, Ciaran McKay, Andrew Conway, McDara O’Midheach, Stephan Flynn and Cian Lohan were the other second half scorers. The final result was 5-23 to 3-3.

Scorers - Bray Emmets: Davy Maloney 1-10, Ciaran McKay 1-3, Cian Lohan 1-2, Stephan Flynn 1-1, Andy Conway 1-1, McDara O’Midheach 0-3, James Anders 0-2, Ronan McMahon 0-1.

St. Patrick’s: Mikey Griffin 3-1, Paddy Moorehouse 0-2.

Bray Emmets: Dara Rutherford; Seanie McDonagh, Davy Maloney, Andy O’Brien; Ben Kearney, Sid Hunt, Gavin Henderson; Joe Phelan, Ronan McMahon; James Anders, Cian McKay, McDara O’Midheach; Cian Lohan, Andy Conway, Stephan Flynn. Subs: Dave Kennedy for Stephan Flynn; Stephan Flynn for McDara Midheach.

St. Patrick’s: Sean Keogh; Kyle Murphy, John O’Brien, Conor O’Mahony; TJ Kehoe; Eamon Kehoe, Mick Moorehouse; Patrick Murphy, Luke Synnott; Paddy Moorehouse, Robert Moffett, Luke Robinson; Daniel O’Brien, Mikey Griffin, Adam Synnott. Subs: Bill O’Brien for Adam Synnott; Tom O’Brien for Daniel O’Brien; Aaron Murphy for TJ Kehoe.

Referee: Ciaran Manley (Glenealy).