Liatroim win Betsy Gray Shiled - 12/12/2003
Taken from Down Recorder
Liatroim.... 2-11
Kilclief....... 1-3
LIATROIM ended the hurling season on a high by easily
overcoming Kilclief in the Betsy Gray Shield final
at Darragh Cross.
This was a game which did nothing for the image of
hurling. Full marks to both sets of players who had
to cope with the bitter cold.
The idea of playing such a game at this time of year
must be seriously examined by the Activities Committee..
There were plenty of occasions since July when the
game could have been played.
Liatroim proved the superior side throughout the field.
They played the better hurling, opened out the play
and had in centre half back John Brown the player
of the game.
His accuracy from placed ball from all angles and
distances was outstanding. Overall he was the main
difference between the sides.
Liatroim were sound in defence, while Dan Morgan impressed
at midfield. Up front Thomas Armstrong, Aiden Brown
and Patrick Pearse McCartan were most dangerous.
Kilclief kept plugging away against the odds. Goalkeeper
Dale Curran had an inspired afternoon and made a series
of brilliant saves that kept his side in the game.
Liam Deegans played hard at midfield, while David
McShane, Timmy Colhoun and Conor Hynds were the pick
of the forwards.
Liatroim, playing with the breeze in the first half,
opened the scoring with two pointed frees by John
Brown. Kilclief replied with a Conor Hynds point after
ten minutes and that proved to be their only score
of the half.
Two further John Brown points and one from Patrick
Pearse McCartan saw Liatroim lead by 0-5 to 0-1 at
the end of the first quarter. Martin Duggan increased
the lead with a point and the brilliant Brown slotted
over a point from play and another from a 65 as Liatroim
led by 0-8 to 0-1 at half time.
Ended
The game was killed off in the opening five minutes
of the second half when Liatroim attacks ended with
Patrick Pearse McCartan twice finding the back of
the net.
When John Brown added a point from a free the winners
had the trophy wrapped up.
Timmy Colhoun did manage a Kilclief goal and Conor
Hynds tagged on a point. Two John Brown pointed frees
stretched Liatroim's lead. In the final stages Niall
Conway lobbed a Kilclief point but at the finish Liatroim
were deserving winners.
Gerard McShane, vice-chairman of the Hurling Boar,
congratulated both teams and handed over the Betsy
Gray Shield to Liatroim captain John Brown.
Liatroim scorers: P. P. McCartan (2-1), J. Brown (0-8),
M. Duggan (0-1), D. Morgan (0-1).
Kilclief scorers: T. Colhoun (1-0), C. Hynds (0-2),
N. Conway (0-1).
