U16 Leinster B final. (Al Bergin scoring a free )

Transcription

1 It was cold frosty morning in Freshford GAA as Naas CBS took on St.Mary s CBS of Enniscorthy in the u16 Leinster B final. Naas started brightly in the opening minutes but St. Marys were presented with the first chance of the game with a free on the right hand side of the pitch, however they couldn t convert and almost immediately Naas had a free 40 yards out which Al Bergin converted to give Naas the first score of the game. (Al Bergin scoring a free ) This pattern was to continue as Enniscorthy responded with two frees of their own from centre back Oran Carty. The frosty conditions made it tough for the players to hang onto the ball which led to many 50/50 challenges with Enniscorthy getting the better of Naas on the breaking ball. Two more Al Bergin frees after good play from Brian Tobin gave Naas a one point lead. (Brian Tobin, Left)

2 After a slow opening 15 minutes both teams were beginning to get physical and Eoin Conneff and Liam Broderick brought the fight to Enniscorthy. An Al Bergin free was quickly cancelled out by another free from Carty ended the half with Naas on 0-4 and St Mary s Enniscorthy on 0-3 all scores coming from free takers Al Bergin and Oran Carty both of who stood out as star men in the half. (Harry Carroll, Captain) The sun came out and so did Naas forward line with Ian Blackburne scoring the first score from play almost straight from the throw in. Enniscorthy answered back with a point after a great solo run from centre forward Pauric Walshe. A fight broke out beside the Naas bench: things were beginning to get tense as the level of physicality was upped even more. Another Enniscorthy free levelled the score at five points apiece; however two excellent scores from 60 yards out by Al Bergin and Ian Blackburne gave Naas a two point cushion. (Ian Blackburne)

3 Just as Naas looked to be gaining momentum Enniscorthy answered back with a score from 13 yards out. Naas discipline was beginning to get sloppy and they let Enniscorthy back into the game with another free from in front of the post. As both teams began to make substitutes, Naas quality of substitutes showed with Liam Walsh, Kevin Sweeney, Sam Morrissey and Ross Waters slotting into the team seamlessly. As they game crept towards the closing stages it was Naas who built up momentum with super team scores finished by Ferran O Sullivan and Eoin Conneff. Another free from Al Bergin after great defensive work from Conan Boran gave Naas a commanding lead while Enniscorthy began to lose hope as Al Bergin pointed again followed up by another Eoin Conneff point sealed the game for CBS. Overall it was a deserved win for Naas as they took their chances and showed great skill in open play. Star men were Al Bergin and Conan Boran while Oran Carty starred for St. Mary s (Al Bergin, Man of the Match) Naas C.B.S : D Costello, D Hanifin, K Kelleher, C Boran, E Prizeman, H Carroll, M O Byrne, A Bergin, L Broderick, E, Conneff, S O Domhnaill, B Tobin, I Blackburne, C Duffy, F O Sullivan( Subs) L Walsh, S Morrissey, K Sweeney, R Waters, (Scorers) Al Bergin 0-7 (0-5 fs) I Blackburne 0-2 E Conneff 0-2 F O Sullivan 0-1 St. Mary s Enniscorthy: D Hayes, N Rowsome, N Parker, M Delaney, A Miller, O Carty, J Roche, P Casey, J Mythen, L Flood, P Walshe, C Foley, P O Brien, E Doyle, R O Leary. (Scorers) O Carty 0-6 (0-6 fs) P Walshe 0-1, E Doyle 0-1.

4 (Harry Carroll and Joe Pyke) Written By Derry Lenehan and Andrew Whittaker Photography By Craig Hanbury

5 From Left to Right: (Top) T.Crosbie (Mentor), E.Prizeman, S.Burke, R.Waters, E.Conneff, I.Blackburne, K.Kelleher, D.Greene, D.Costello, K.Stout, R.Reilly, A. Bergin, R.Gavin, H.Carroll, L.Conroy (Mentor), E.Wilson, J.Lawlor, E.Duffy, J.Cleary, K.Whelan (Mentor), R.Purcell (Mentor) (Bottom) F.O Sullivan, J.Rowe, J.Higgins, C.Foley, L.Walsh, C.Boran, M.O Byrne, B.Tobin, S.O Domhnaill, K.Sweeney, D.Hanifin, C.Kennedy, C.Murphy, S.Morrissey, N.Mullally. (Missing from photo Cian Duffy and Liam Broderick)