Whitehall 5-01 Syls 6-02 St Sylvesters U9 hurlers lined out against a strong Whitehall Colmcilles on Saturday morning in sunny but cold conditions and produced a battling display to win what turned out to be two tight games.
Our first team, playing against the wind in the first half started
slowly but despite falling behind to an early goal and point they
refused to panic. They gradually worked their way back into the game thanks to
the tremendous work rate of Timmy O' Connor and the typical
gritty contributions and never say die attitude of Ronan Furlong and
Karl Keane. An Ollie Twomey goal settled the nerves just before half time
and left the game finely balanced. In the second half the exchanges were tough
but the Syls lads stuck to the task with some great individual performances,
notably a commanding display at center back by Sean Guiden. In midfield
the Syls lads took control led by the rock solid man-of-the-match
Jack Boyne and when Daragh McLoughney pounced for an early second half
goal the groundwork was laid for this great come from behind
win. Conor Hoyne showed us some of his natural ability as he picked off 2
excellent points from play while up front ace poacher David Deneher
managed to nip in for a brace of goals to complete a great second half
performance. Overall, this was a fantastic team effort against a very
good Whitehall
side and the win ensures the lads maintain their unbeaten start to the
season. Well done to all
Final score: Whitehall
Colmcilles 3-1, St Sylvesters 4-2
Team: Ronan Furlong, Karl Keane, Jack Boyne, Timmy
O'Connor, Sean Guiden, Daragh McLoughney (1-0), Conor Hoyne
(0-2), David Deneher (2-0), Ollie Twomey (1-0)
Our Second team also played against the wind in the first
half and despite being under intense pressure managed to keep the game
scoreless at the break. A battling display by our defence - Billy
Lawlor, Sean Curran, Krishna Joyce, Craig McGrattan and Aaron Lambe-Callaghan
repelled wave after wave of Whitehall
attacks. Turning at half time our midfield began to get on top and when Killian
Bousfield goalled and then Tom Bennett capped a man of the match display by
driving forward from midfield and finishing to the net with aplomb it looked
like we were going to take the spoils. However Whitehall never gave up and they threw
everything in to attack. Despite some great and brave goalkeeping by Jojo Thabo
and strong, committed defending from Conor O’Brien and Matthew Brenner, Whitehall managed to get
back on level terms. We had a chance to win it late on by a tremendously struck
65 just drifted wide on the breeze.
Great credit to all our players who matched a very good Whitehall team in skill
and surpassed them in strength and endeavour.
Back to training on the grass pitches this week (so bring
boots and no €2 required!!).
Football 6-7.15 on Tuesday,
Hurling 6-7.15
Wednesday.
No match this weekend due to Easter.
