23 July 2012
Antrim U14 Development Squad headed to Portlaoise early on Saturday morning in their second outing of games. The squad was short on numbers due to players on holiday however it was not short on quality and effort as they boys played three games against Wexford, Kilkenny and hosts Laois. All games were 20 minutes each way and this was going to test the Antrim players
The first game saw Antrim play a strong and physical Wexford team. It was Antrim who raced out of the blocks the quickest with Diarmuid McShane at midfield impressing to go 1-3 to 0-01 ahead. However a couple of soft conceded goals saw Antrim go in behind at the break despite doing most of the hurling. Antrim came out of the blocks in the second half to regain the lead. The half back line of Eoin Boyle, Odhrán O’Callaghan and Conor Bannon were putting great ball into the forward were Michael McGreevy and Conor Dallas were impressing. Dylan O’Neill in goals was comfortable under the high ball and this confidence was extended throughout the team as Antrim finished the game winning by one point on a score line of 1-11 to 3-04
Antrim faced Laois in the second game and again started off very strongly. Paddy Bonnar was starting to control the middle of the pitch and the interplay between Dunloy club mates Conal Cunning and Caolan Malloy was a joy to behold. Antrim found themselves 5 points up against the breeze at the half and this was down to some excellent clearances and positioning of John Darragh and Liam Gillan in the full back line and great poc outs from Emmett Laverty in goals. In the second half Geoffrey Og Laverty played some intelligent ball into the full forward line for Michael McGreevy to win and hit several scores. Antrim then lost Donal McKernan to a calf injury just as he was starting to get into his stride. Laois however were starting to put on the pressure before Tiernan Murphy settled the Antrim team with a well needed point. Antrim finished of the game with a 6 point victory- Antrim 2-10 Laois 0-10
Kilkenny who were just beaten by Wexford were next up for Antrim. This was going to be a tough battle as Antrim had played 80 minutes with a small squad and positional changes were required to keep the players as fresh as possible. Kilkenny raced out of the blocks to hit over several points as Antrim struggled to win possession and keep track of the Kilkenny players. Kilkenny scored a couple of goals and they began to look comfortable but Conal Cunning scored an excellent Antrim goal just before half time. Peter McGarry, Cathal McDonnell and Shan McGarry were starting to win the battles with the Kilkenny forwards and Antrim scored a couple of goals from Michael McGreevy and Eoin Boyle to keep Antrim on the hunt. Antrim were pilling pressure on the Kilkenny goal when points may have been the better option. As Antrim suffered more injuries and the legs got very weary Kilkenny hit over several points to pull away in the end winning by 3-12 to 3-01
All in all this was a very positive experiment for the U14 Development Squad. With Antrim playing in Division One of the Tony Forrestal competition in September this was a good work out. With 10 players on holidays to come back and plenty of work to be done before they go to Waterford this squad can go from strength to strength
Dylan O’Neill- O’Donovan Rossa
Peter McGarry- McQuillans
John Darragh- Naomh Eoin
Cathal McDonnell- Ruairi Og
Odhran O’Callaghan- O’Donovan Rossa
Eoin Boyle- Loughgiel Shamrocks
Conor Bannon- Robert Emmett’s
Diarmuid McShane- McQuillans
Paddy Bonnar- McQuillans
Conal Cunning- Dunloy Cuchullians
Conor Dallas-Loughgiel Shamrocks
Donal McKernan- Padraig Sarsfields
Geoffrey Og Laverty- St Brigids
Michael McGreevy- O’Donovan Rossa
Caolan Malloy- Dunloy Cuchullians
Emmett Laverty- Ruairi Og
Shan McGarry- Loughgiel Shamrocks
Liam Gillan- Ruairi Og
Tiernan Murphy- O’Donovan Rossa
