Juveniles win county title.
The Shelmalier Intermediate footballers travelled to Laois to face their counterparts Graiguecullen (who had played Senior last year) in the Leinster Intermediate football championship on Sunday last, with a large number of the team supporters also making the trip. The Shelmaliers got off to a dream start when Tommy Barron made a long run and gave an accurate pass to Derek Walsh who fisted it into the back of the net in the first minute of the game. Graiguecullen got the next two points before Alan Griffith pointed after good work by Aidan Murphy and Cathal Gaule. The home team got two more points whilst Derek Walsh converted a free and then the full back line were called on to make the save of the day. Graiguecullen pointed again before the Shels goaled for the second time in the match after good combination from Adrian Veale and Colin Redmond. It seemed the Shels were forging ahead at this stage on the edge of half time. Then disaster struck, first the home team pointed and then added a goal just as the half time whistle went to leave a score line of 2-2 to 1-7 in favour of Graiguecullen.
The Shelmaliers worked hard in the second half and had additional points from Tommy Barron, Barry O’Connor and two Derek Walsh free’s. Graiguecullen however soon replied scoring three points and the Laois side had done enough in the first half to finish the match, victors on a scoreline of 2-6 to 2-10.
Best on the day for the Shels were Brian Malone (Captain), Colm Tynan, Alan Griffith, Colin Redmond, Cathal Gaule, Derek Walsh, and Eoin Doyle.
Congratulations to our Juvenile hurlers took on favourites Glynn Barntown in the county final in Wexford Park, on bank holiday Monday and came away victorious by 2-13 to 1-9 after an outstanding display of skillful hurling. The Shelmaliers were first on the scoreboard when Benny Barron had taken a free and Brian Doyle got a lovely touch to the ball to send it over the bar, in the 5th minute. Brian Tobin who was in the middle of the action throughout the match got on the scoreboard with two very well taken points. Glynn trying hard, but it was the Shelmaliers who led by 0-7 to 0-3 at half time. In the second half Glynn started the brighter but when Johnny Campbell found Brian Murphy he made no mistake as he rattled the back of the net. However Glynn fought back to a two point margin, before Brian Tobin won an excellent ball at mid field and ran the length of the field to score the best and most important point of the day, which stopped the onslaught from Glynn at a crucial time. On a day when all fifteen players on the field, played the games of their lives and united as one, it is most difficult to name names. But no one would disagree that Benny Barron was the man of the match, Captain Brian Doyle was in outstanding form and scored the goal that sealed the game. Brian Tobin was excellent and he took possession and scored the crucial point at the time Glynn were getting back on top. Aidan Cash and James Gordon were brilliant in the half back line and Kevin O’Leary led the charge in the defence.
Congratulations to the four clubs in Hollymount who through their combined efforts have ensured that our club is the first in Ireland to be awarded the Heartsafe GAA club certification from the Irish Heart Foundation. This is to recognize the tremendous work that the clubs have made in providing a defibirator in Hollymount and having a team of trained personnel in the use of the defibirator and in CPR and ADE. Mr. Michael O Shea CEO of the Irish Heart Foundation will officially present this award to the clubs at a special award night in the new complex in Hollymount on Wednesday 14th November. More details next week.
The clubs minor footballers had an easy 5-10 to 0-6 victory over Gorey in the county football championship quarter final play off which took place in the Shannon in Enniscorthy on Saturday last. In a Shelmalier side which was dominant throughout all the players played particularly with Eoin Doyle, Conor Walsh, Joe Kelly and Niall Stafford giving outstanding displays for the black and amber side.
St. Peters College who recently won the Leinster Junior championship after a break of 36 years was backboned by Shelmalier players. Having accounted for arch enemies St. Kierans in the quarter finals and, Kilkenny CBS in the semi final, the scene was set for an all Wexford final in Wexford Park on 24th October where their opponents would be Good Counsel, New Ross. St. Peters won out on a scoreline of 2-11 to 1-10 after a thrilling final with four Shels men played their part in this momentous win.
James Gordon captain and centre back, Feargal Hynes, wing forward, Aidan Cash wing back and Shane Griffith, wing back.Hard luck to Stephen Corrigan and Kevin O’Leary who were injured for the final. Other Shels men on the panel were Brian (Turf) Murphy, who had a great outing in the semi final, Noel Mythen, Niall Murphy, Cian Lambe, and Conor Tobin.