Super Saints in seventh heaven against plucky Roche men

UNDER-16 ST JOSEPHS ROCHE EMMETS 7-12 4-9 UNDER-14 KILKERLEY / MALS ROCHE EMMETS UNDER-12 UNDER-10

IN the beautiful sunshine Roche hosted a physically strong St Josephs team.

The started brightly but the men from Darver/Dromiskin took control to lead by 3-9 to 2-4 at the interval.

Roche had it all to do in the second half, but they rose to the challenge reducing the deficit to three points.

However, St Josephs had other ideas and their quick forwards added 3-3 to their first half tally to run out deserved winners on the night. ROCHE U14 boys travelled over Skyhill to meet their neighbours Kilkerley Emmets/Naomh Malachi.

From the first blow of the whistle the Roche lads were quick out of the blocks.

The first half of the game was a tight battle with both sides enjoying strong spells.

The hosts retired a goal up, 3-5 to 2-5, but it was all still to play for in the second half.

Roche emerged with the same fire in the belly as the first half, but the combination outfit helf them at bay to take the points. ROCHE headed to Kilkeel outfit ‘An Riocht’ for their annual juvenile tournament. 32 teams from all across Ulster (with a couple from Dublin) were present for a very well run and competitive competition.

19 Roche players made the journey north which culminated in them entering two teams in the 9-a-side tournament.

Roche A played three tough group matches, narrowly losing the first two but winning their last one.

This qualified them for the cup where they came up against last year’s winners, Shane O’Neills. The boys performed valiantly but lost by five points.

Roche B replicated the other team with two early losses but stormed back with a resounding victory in the last group match. They were then pitted against St Peters in the knockout stages.

A very close game just agonisingly slipped away from Roche in the last few minutes as they lost by two points.

Overall the trip was a great success and was enjoyed by all players and parents alike. All kids got game time against tough teams that hopefully will improve them for the rest of the season. COOLEY KIckhams produced some superb displays to win the U10 Keeva Kelly Memorial Cup today in Inniskeen.

An excellent display of grit and determination together with skill and composure got the Cooley boys over the line for a thoroughly deserved win.

They played five games in total winning four and drawing the fifth.

Training continues on Thursday.