BARNDARRIG
Well done to our under-14 football who played in the county final last Sunday morning in Tinahely against St Kevin’s (Hollywood/Valleymount).
Alas it was not meant to be, but the lads went down to a team who came down a division to play in this championship group.
It was a great achievement by the team to reach this level. Our lads gave a great display of high fielding and kick passing and their skill levels were excellent.
This is down to the massive effort that Seamus and his management team have put in over the last while. A St. Kevin’s player deservedly took the man of the match award but it has to be said that there were a few Barndarrig lads in the running too, with Joe O’Shea unstoppable at midfield, Daniel Murphy strong in the air at the back, Rian Downes and Mikey O’Doherty teak tough in defence and Conor Leonard tricky in the forwards.
While the score line does not reflect how close the match was, if it wasn’t for the excellent blocks made by the St. Kevin’s defenders, Barndarrig would have been in the match right to the end.
The lads created so manty goal chances in the second half but just lacked that bit of luck-hitting crossbars and last ditch St Kevin’s goalkeeping that you need to win finals.
Congratulations to all the lads: Kevin Leonard, Rian Downes, Tom O’Shea, Max Richards, Mikey O’Doherty, Daniel Murphy, Joe O’Shea (capt,) Conor Leonard, Andy Traynor, Luke Kennedy, Mark Whelan, Johnathan Collins, Peter Schmidt, Conor Fleming and Darragh O Murchú.
The team management would like to thank all the people who came to support the team. Andrew and Hilda Cullen, Paul and Anne Browne and Michael Byrne to name a few. We will see the lads again soon at Wicklow bowling for a well deserved social outing. They have done their club proud. 2 for next season we had to fight it out for the Johnny Fox Cup.
And that we did what a team performance from start to finish. We started off well with some great scores from Myles Conway and two from Dan Power then two from John Nolan before Keith lawlor and John Nolan added a point a piece before half time.
We went in winning 7-5 at half time playing with the wind. We knew kilcoole would come out fighting in the second half and they did that.
They scored three in a row to put them one point up. But we fought back with three in a row with two frees from John Nolan and a Damien Hanlon point and that was the end of the scoring for the game. We ended up winning 10-8.
The support on the day was unbelievable as always. I’m sure all will hear plenty more about this victory for years to come. Well done to manager John Begley and his selectors, Fergal Olohan Roger Miley Tommy Cullen and Seamus Holden.
Also, special thanks to our physio Paul Sherry. Once again our sponsors Caseys bar and bistro came up trumps with there excellent food after the game.
After this kind season it’s time to put the feet up and relaxfor a few months as February we not be long coming around. Well done to all involved Division 3 champions!
Team on the day: Peter Merrigan, Ross Doonan, Alan Smyth, Stephen Curley, Craig Mccoy, Gary Cullen, Jack Dunne, John Nolan, Davie McDonald, Dan Power, Keith Lawlor, Mark Miley, Damien Hanlon, Myles Conway, Eamonn Kennedy. Subs: Gary Cullen, Simon Byrne, John Hayes, Liam Mcevoy, Andy Kenny, Steve Olohan, Aran Lynham, Fergal Olohan, Conor Windsor, Jamie Cullen.
The club send its deepest sympathies to the Hanlon family on the sudden death of Eddie.