Hurling shield final.

In recent times it’s been a tale of woe for this under sixteen team in
finals, and as I make my way pitch-side I’m mentally preparing my match
report…. how they performed gallantly, how they came close but just
couldn’t get over the line, how the referee had stolen the game, how lady
luck had turned her back…. but maybe, just maybe, this one would be
different !!! Our opponents today are Thomas Davis and they look well up
for the challenge. We’re at home on this bright autumnal day but it’s
certainly not tee shirt weather by any means.

The game begins frantically with Thomas Davis bagging the first two points.
O’Tooles respond with a point to settle the nerves, but on the next attack
Davis notch the first goal with a brilliantly taken ground stroke. My heart
sinks, I can see lady luck getting into her car and screeching off down
Blunden Drive !!!!! O’Tooles however are not rattled, they begin to gain
the upper hand with some great scores, most of the damage coming down our
left wing. They pull level and then eek ahead with a scrappy goal. Davis
stay in touch with some lovely scores of their own, but they are not helped
by the early exit of one of their midfielders through injury – maybe lady
luck has hit a Garda checkpoint on the Malahide road!!!! It’s a good fair
contest however, the teams are closely matched, the Larriers though appear
a bit more dogged in defence. As half time approaches O’Tooles put clear
daylight between the teams with a goal and another couple of points. Half
time O’Tooles lead 2:8 – 1:5.

The second half throws in and Davis are fast off the mark with two quick
fire points. All of a sudden it’s a four point game, yet another final
slipping away, I fear. But no, the Larriers will not be denied this time,
they rattle in a goal followed by some excellent points from distance to
extend their lead once more. From there they never look back, a minor
scuffle is the only other notable incident as the game peters out.

A deserved win for O’Tooles 4:12 – 1:8. A good contest with the scoreline
possible flattering the Larriers slightly. Thomas Davis we’re tough but
fair and I have to commend them on how gracious they were in defeat. As for
O’Tooles, the final hoodoo has been banished at last and lady luck has been
signed up to mentor the team for next year. She got two points on her
licence, by the way, for doing 50kph in a 40 zone.