Under
14 Hurling League: Ballyvarley/Ballela
Vs Liatroim
The Ballyvarley/Ballela
under 14 hurlers faced a stern test
at home to Liatroim last week but
rose to the occasion taking the
spoils with a two point win. Without
several key players due to injury
and the Easter holidays the locals
played some excellent hurling in a
real team performance.
In the early stages of
the game it was very tight both
teams strong in the tackle and the
game played at a hectic pace.
Liatroim were the first to get on
the score-sheet with an excellent
point from the right wing. The Reds
replied with two long range frees
powerfully pointed from Christopher
Martin. Eventually the Ballyvarley/Ballela
team playing under the St Patrick’s
banner, started to dominate
possession yet found it hard to
reflect this on the score-sheet. A
number of missed frees, a lack of
killer finishing infront of goal,
and a sharp Liatroim rearguard
reduced the Reds to a solitary point
from Christopher Martin.
As the game neared
half-time two momentary lapses in
concentration in the locals defence
resulted in two quickfire goals for
the visitors. Another pointed free
from the Liatroim Fontoneys was the
last score of the half despite some
heavy local pressure.
HALF-TIME: Ballyvarley/Ballela
0-3 Liatroim 2-2
Five points down at the break the
Reds faced an uphill struggle yet
they had shown a lot of promise in
the first period. If they could only
take some of the opportunities they
knew they would get in the next 30
minutes then they had a chance.
Games of hurling change quickly and
a two goal blitz in the first three
minutes saw the Reds retake the
lead. Patrick Mackin led the way
with a darting run through the
Liatroim defence before dispatching
the sliothar to the left hand
corner. Christopher Martin goaled
from a low rasping shot and Liatroim
were stunned. Slowly the visitors
regained their footing with a point
to level the game before their
captain Neil Lynch soloed through to
goal.
The local hurlers responded quickly
as from the next attack Ciaron
Davis, introduced at half-time,
goaled with a quick ground pull in
the box. Both teams exchanged
points-a-piece before Patrick Mackin
pointed twice and goaled with a high
dipping shot.
It was a really entertaining game
with scores flowing from both sides.
Laitroim grabbed a goal and a point
and the Reds immediately retaliated
with a goal and a point of their own
– Ciaron Davis grabbing his second
major of the night. Five points
clear the Ballyvarley/Ballela under
14 hurlers pushed on with Jonathan
Lennon putting over a point from the
right and Patrick Mackin doing
likewise from the left.
A Neil Lynch inspired Liatroim never
gave the game up and reduced the
deficit to two points with Neil
grabbing two goals after surging
solos from half-forward. St
Patrick’s though held out to get a
well deserved two pint win and
continue their three game unbeaten
run.
FULL-TIME: Ballyvarley/Ballela
5-9 Liatroim 6-4
This was a good whole
team performance from the Reds with
every member of the squad
contributing. Michael Downey and
Lisa McCusker played exceptionally
well, Christopher Martin was the
driving force at half-back while
Patrick Mackin and Ciaron Davis
provided the cutting edge upfront.
Ballyvarley/Ballela Team
Michael McAllister, Paul Colgan,
Michael Downey, Lisa McCusker,
Ciaran Heaney, Christopher Martin
(1-3), Cathal McGrath, Conor Strain,
Thomas McKernan, James O’Meara,
Patrick Mackin (2-5), Jonathan
Lennon (0-1), Peter Lavery, Peter
Verhoven, Ryan McCusker. Subs:
Ciaron Davis (2-0), Jack Kearns,
Stephen Caruthers.
