Under 12 Hurling Championship Final

Ballyvarley Vs Liatroim

            It was a case of one game too far on Sunday, as Ballyvarley’s Under 12 hurlers lost a well contested final to Liatroim.

            Played in atrocious conditions, perhaps the tuning point of the contest came before a ball was even struck, as Ballyvarley lost the toss and played with the gale in the first half.

            The Red’s started well with a long, fantastic Michael McAllister pointed free from the half way line going over the bar. Ballyvarley piled on the pressure but despite balls falling to Owen Carlisle in the full forward line, the scores just would not come.

            With such a wind advantage goals were vital to winning the game, and a good lead was needed by the locals before the break. As it was good work from Christopher Martin at Half-back and Aidan McKernan at half-forward was squandered further forward as the impressive Liatroim rearguard held firm. The Reds defence had to do very little the first half and hardly saw the ball, as they camped in Liatroims half.

            When the scores did come they were only points. Tony Hegarty scored a good pointed free and Patrick Macken met, turned and pointed to leave the halftime score with Ballyvarley three points to the good.

HALF-TIME:  Ballyvarley 0-3         Liatroim 0-0

            At the break Ballyvarley were warned they would be under severe pressure the second half and so it proved. Ten minutes of constant Liatroim pressure finally told with a goal to level the tie.

            If anything the wind seemed to get stronger as the game went on, as Ballyvarley struggled with their puck outs and general play to get the ball over the half way line.

            They battled hard with Paul Colgan, Michael McAllister, and Thomas McKernan all making timely interventions. A goal and three more points were managed by the Liatroim team with Lynch in midfield particularly impressive. As the game neared its conclusion Ballyvarley went on a rare foray upfront. Several melees in the opposition box followed, but it was too little too late as they failed to score and Liatroim ran out worthy winners.

FULL-TIME:   Ballyvarley 0-3         Liatroim 2-3

            All that was left, was for the under 12 Championship Cup to be presented by Jerry Quinn to Liatroim’s captain, Neil Lynch.

            It was a disappointing display from the Ballyvarley team, yet they fought hard throughout the game with Christopher Martin, Aidan McKernan, Thomas McKernan and Cathal McGrath showing most in the game.

 

            It has been a long and fairly successful season for Ballyvarley’s hurlers finishing joint top in the South Down league, and at the minute reside top of the mainland league, Clonduff having 2 games still to play.

            Thanks go out to all the club members who attended the final, and to the parents of the players who have helped so much throughout the year.

            Ballyvarley Team: Conor McShane, Michael McAllister (0-1), Paul Colgan, Ciaran Heaney, Michael McKay, Cathal McGrath, Christopher Martin, Tony Hegarty (0-1), Thomas McKernan, Jonathan Lennon, Patrick Macken (0-1), Thomas McKernan, Aidan McKernan, Owen Carlisle, Kieron Davis, Thomas Carlisle. Subs: Peter Lavery, Gary Kennedy, Liam Stewart, Rory McShane, James O’Meara, Stefan Toman, Christopher Lennon.

 

Sent by Colm O’Neill.150 Scarva Road, Banbridge,BT32 3QG. Tel No: 028 406 25893