Junior Hurlers - Winning team have over 300 years club service

A quick look through the team tells just how long a lot of the lads have played together. Together the players at the final had over 300 years club service behind them. Without giving away ages, Claude Scully, Shane O’Connor and captain and full back Ciaran Murray were all turning out for Sylvesters  in 1982 and Niall O Connor who finished the final with 3 points from play started in 1985.
Rueben Kirrane and Donal  Ryan are both hurling with Sylvesters for over 20 years while Killian Kirrane, Ronan Kennedy, Fergus Rooney and Colm O’Connor are all members of Dave Rafferty’s  under 10 team of 1989 and were all very influential over the 26 matches played in 2010. Younger members of the team include Paul Christie and Jody Hickey who with Gary Plunkett and Willie Reynolds are all hurling with Syls for over 15 years each at this stage.
The players who joined the team in the last few years and who contributed greatly to this years season are Johnny Conway, Ritchie Connaughton and  Des Lehane while under 21’s  include Donal O’Riordan who scored 2 points in the final, Graham Morris and Peter Guyett.
Representing the future are minors Stephen Keogh, Derek Morris and goalkeeper David Kennedy who, with other minor players,  played invaluable parts during the summer period.
Team manager Jim Wardick who is with St. Sylvesters teams since 1980 has been with this team  with Danny O Connor since Sylvesters entered a second adult hurling team in 1994.  Both had praise for the Whitehall team and their management and it is interesting to note that over three meetings between the teams during the year there was only one point between the teams on aggregate.
One of the best aspects of the year was the lack of walkovers and there is obviously great credit due to the Competitions Control Committee, the  clubs and mentors in the AHL 7 league for their persistence and dedication over the season.