31 August 2010
Last weekend the Antrim u14 hurling development squad travelled to Portlaoise, Co. Laois, to participate in the Division 2, All-Ireland, Tony Forrestal hurling tournament.
After comfortably battling through the group stages on the Saturday morning, with convincing wins over Wicklow and Laois-O’Moores, Antrim were drawn against a determined Westmeath side in the semi-final at Moore’s Park. The Saffron’s knew Westmeath would present a formidable challenge as they had narrowly won a thrilling encounter against them in early July at the D J Carey tournament in Kilkenny.
Antrim began the half the brighter of the two counties and kept the score board ticking over with some great points from corner forward Dara Rocks, half-forward James Connolly, centre-half forward Seaghan Shannon, captain Conor Christies and a goal by full-forward Cormac McClafferty. The Saffon’s went in at the half-time break to the better of 1:6 to 1:1. Westmeath staged a comeback in the second half and drew level scoring a goal and two points. However, great defending from the Saffron’s restricted the Westmeath forwards. In the latter stages of the second half a further goal by Jude McCurdy and two points by Seaghan Shannon were added to the Saffron’s tally which saw Antrim home in the end 2:8 to 2:3 winners.
In the final, the Saffron’s came up against an extremely talented Laois team. Laois began well and raced into a 6 points lead at the half-time break with the Saffron’s ruing failed chances to convert easy scoring opportunities. Midway through the second half, down 0:7 to 0:2 points, Antrim raised their game after having a player sent off. Eoin Conlon worked tirelessly in mid-field and helped to produce goals for fellow mid-fielder, Padriag McGreevy and half-forward James Carey. This was followed by a superbly taken long distant point from, wing-back, Odhran Laverty. Laois replied and equalized in the last minute of the normal time with a free with extra time required to decide the game. In the first period of extra time, corner-forward, Emmet Martin put the Saffron’s ahead with a goal after some great play from captain, Conor Christie and corner forward Dara Rocks. Further points were added by James Carey and Conor Christie to the Saffron’s tally. Although, Laois rallied and scored 4 more points, the Saffron’s defended well with fullback Ryan McNulty and backs Stephen Gaskin, Deaghlan Murphy and Ryan McCollum and Niall Mc Naughton in nets restricting the scoring of the Laois forward line. The game was secured for the Saffron’s when full-forward Cormac McClafferty struck the back of the net with a sublimely taken goal which saw the Saffron’s home comfortable winners by 4:5 to 0:12. A Great team performance.
Seaghan Shannon
Deaghlan Murphy
Dara Rocks
James Connolly
Stephen Graskin
Padraig McGreevy
Ryan McNulty
Conor McAvoy
Jude McCurdy
Eoin Conlon
James Carey
Cormac McClafferty
Stephen Walsh
Niall McNaughton
Ryan Irvine
Ryan Delargy
Ruairi Kinney
Conor Christie
Odhran Laverty
Ryan McCollum
Emmet Martin
Rory McAlister
Jack Hopkins
Stephen Garland
