Junior hurlers reach semi final with another epic display

Junior D Hurling Championship q/final
Balgriffin Tuesday 22nd September 2009.

St Sylvesters 3-9, St Brendan’s 2-9. (replay)

After a stirring last minute Claude Scully goal in the drawn game our chances looked poor when three players had to cry-off late on and a few alterations had to be made. A whirlwind start saw us go ahead 2-4 to 0-2 after 22 minutes. The first goal was a penalty after Paudge Kirke was taken down in the square after a great run and Cillian O Riordan finished the second to the net when the ball broke free in front of goal. Anthony Dunne’s puckouts were absolutely massive and put Brendan’s under pressure particularly with the wind in the fist half. By half time it was 2-5 to 1-3 as a few lapses in concentration led to the concession of a goal before half time. Facing the hill and the wind the lead was not secure but the full back line of Gary Plunkett, Ciaran Murray and Paul Christie were in no mood to concede goals or frees for that matter and the crucial score came from Kieran Falvey on 14 minutes after a great catch by Gavin Dolan. The usual suspects all played well and Mick Mc Cafferty came on for the last 10 minutes to bring the number of under 14’s from 1985 to four for the night.  Brendan’s  goal was on the strike of full time after almost 7 minutes of added time.  It’s St Judes  in the semi-final at 3.30 in St Brigids next Sunday. Scorers Niall O Connor (0-6, 3f, 1x65), Declan Tolster (1-1, pen,65), Cillian O Riordan, Kieran Falvey (1-0 eaxh), Mick Tolster (0-1,sideline), Graham Morris (0-1)