Cup success for Coolera/Strandhill in Division 3 Cup
COOLERA/Strandhill’s U11s played Eastern Harps in the Division 3 Cup final recently.
This was to be a nail-biting affair full of endeavour and skill. A onepoint lead after the first quarter turned into a three-point deficit by half time and the Coolera/Strandhill boys were really up against it facing a much older Eastern Harps opposition.
However, like their older counterparts, they showed great character to get themselves back into the match helped by scores from Killian O’ Neill and Cathal Gilligan both of whom excelled in the middle of the field and Jack Keaveney.
James Lynch and Luke Gilgan kept the Harps attack at bay. Up front the running of Jack Keaveney and Oscar Choo caused problems. Going into the final minutes Aidan O’ Loughlin pounced on a loose ball to chip over putting the Coolera/Strandhill side in front.
It proved to be the winning score as the boys defended the lead to take the honours on a score of 10-09.
They have been unbeaten all year, winning ten games in a row and had to show great grit and determination to grind out this victory. Congratulations to all the boys and to the management team of Philip and Gary.
Hard luck to Eastern Harps but credit for such an entertaining battle. Team; Stefan McMahon, Luke Gilgan, James Lynch, Steven O’ Connor, Aidan O’ Louhglin, Cathal Gilligan, Killian O’ Neill, Eoin Fenton, Jack Keaveney, Oscar Choo, Jack Savage, Shane Galvin, Conor McMahon, Shane O’ Loughlin, Jack McDaniel.