O’Tooles 3-14 Naomh Olaf 2-7

The Minor Hurlers continued their championship campaign with a well-earned win over a well drilled Naomh Olaf team at Blunden Drive this evening. The conditions were perfect for hurling championship and the tempo was furious from the throw-in.

Con Rock had 1-4 on the scoreboard in the first 15 mins. Aided by points from Luke Fennelley (f) and Ryan Rooney, the lads led at the first water break by 4 points.

The championship bite continued after the water break with players from both teams fighting furiously for every ball.  Naomh Olaf had some fine hurlers on display and looked dangerous in attack. However, shortly after the water break, they lost their centre back with a nasty looking ankle injury. This resulted in them re-purposing some of their dangerous forwards to shore up the defence. If this loss wasn’t daunting enough, when Ben Mooney rattled the net shortly before half time, O’Tooles were really motoring and Olaf’s were looking at an uphill battle. Fine individual points from Con Rock and the super-impressive Sean Mc Hugh saw O’Tooles lead 2-7 to 0-3 at half time.

The Second half started with three points in quick succession by Ryan Rooney Sean Mc Hugh and Conn Rock. Ben Mooney then scored another fine individual goal to seal a great day at the office for him. The smart money was all on O’Tooles to close this one out

The second half water break saw O’Tooles leading by 3-12 to 1-4 and arguably the greatest battle was for the man-of-the match honours which was being played out between the three lads in the half back line.  Any of them would have been a strong candidate as Luke Webster, Captain Fionn Rock and Liam Kiernan dominated their own 45 meter area. Entirely.

Olaf’s continued to press and piled on the pressure for the final quarter and outscored O’Tooles 1-4 to 0-2 during this last session. The Full back line continued to clear ball after ball with Adam Craig putting in a great shift at full back. Liam Kiernan struck a 45 meter point to finish a great passage of play and Luke Fennelley struck a final free to sign off on a great team performance. The Honesty of effort and team work rate was evidenced nowhere better than the midfield pairing of Aaron O’Neill and Dave Murnane who selflessly covered every blade of grass. They’ll have sore legs tonight.

The Minor hurlers are out again on Sunday week 16 August at 11am in Blunden Drive v St Marks. A Win will see them top the group. Please come out and support the lads.

Team: Daniel O’Neil, Jack Stone, Adam Craig, Josh Browne, Liam Kiernan, Fionn Rock, Luke Webster, Aaron O’Neill, Dave Murnane, Luke Fennelley, Sean McHugh, Cian McGovern, Ryan Rooney, Con Rock, Ben Mooney

Scorers:

Con Rock 1-5, Luke Fennelley 0-3 (2f) Sean Mc Hugh 0-3 Ben Mooney 2-0, Ryan Rooney 0-2, Liam Kiernan 0-1