U21 Co. Champions

The Shelmalier under 21 footballers claimed the county premier under 21 football title after a hard fought contest against near neighbours Crossabeg/Ballymurn.

This was a great contest of football with very little space provided by both teams as they both challenged for every ball and made scoring very difficult. Crossabeg started the brighter as the Shelmaliers were slow to get into the game. Three frees from Glen Murphy put Crossabeg into an early lead before the Shelmaliers had their first score from Arnie Murphy. A well taken free from Craig Parker saw his side trail by a single point at half time. The second half began with the Shelmaliers showing far more determination and they began to dictate the play with the equalising point coming from Conor Hearne. Colin Cleary put the Shelmaliers into the lead for the first time in the 10th minute with further points from Tony Smith and Simon Donohoe (2) saw the Shelmaliers win on a final score line of Shelmaliers 0-8 Crossabeg/Ballymurn 0-4. Captain Aodhan Foley accepted the cup from Andrew Egan from sponsors Greenstar.

U21 Footballers into Co. Final

The Shelmalier U21 footballers qualified for the county premier final with a 2-7 to 1-7 victory over St Martins played in Piercestown on Saturday last.

The game opened at a great pace with Shelmalier goalie Aodhan Foley saving an early St Martins penalty with his team mates responding with two points from Craig Parker. After a number of near misses the Shelmaliers had further points from Conor Hearne, Aaron Murphy, Colin Cleary before Graham Staples found the top corner of the net with 5 minutes remaining in the half. The Shelmaliers started the second half again having many near misses before Eoghan Nolan scored his side’s second goal in the 15th minute. The Shelmaliers continue to dominate the remainder to the game to win by 3 points.

U21 fail to do the 3 in a row

Shelmalier U21 footballers gave up their attempt to make it 3 in a row of county titles when they went down 2-8 to Starlights 3-7 in a stormy Bellefield on Fri night last.

The visitors were quickly of the mark with points from Liam Rockett and Kevin O Connor and with the assistance of a strong wind the Shelmalier men extended their lead with further points from Colin Cleary and Kevin O Connor. There was great delight for the visiting supporters when Jody Donohoe fired to the rook of the Starlights net in the 20th minute. Kevin O Connor and Colin Cleary completed their sides scoring in the first half to leave a half time score of Shelmaliers 1-7 Starlights 1-3. The home side came out very strongly on the resumption with the assistance of the wind and the sides where soon lever 1-7 to 2-4. A Liam Rockett goal in the 16th minute gave great encouragement to the Shelmaliers, however, the Starlights proved the stronger in the final quarter to win by 3-7 to 2-8.

U21F V Fethard

The quarter final was held in Hollymount on Saturday last when Fethard provided the opposition.

The first half was an even contest with a high standard of football from both sides. Kevin O Connor Jody Donohoe and Tony Smith got the home side off to an early lead with well taken points and the only goal of the game arrived in the 17th minute when Jody Donohoe finished a great move from the Shelmalier forwards. Two further points from Tony Smith gave the home side a 1-5 to 0-6 lead. The Shelmaliers scored five additional points in the second half from Colin Cleary, Kevin O Connor, Stpehen McGuire and Liam Rockett to give a final score of 1-13 to 0-5 victory. The team now play the Starlights on Friday 4th dec at 8 PM in Bellefield in the semifinal with neighbours Crossabeg/Ballymurn waiting the victors in the county final.

U21 Footballers cruise pass Glynn

Our U21 footballers made their entry into the championship with a convincing 1-13 to 0-5 victory over Glynn/Barntown played in Hollymount on Saturday last.

The Shelmaliers were always in control of this game with Colin Cleary, Kevin O Connor, Jody Donohoe and Glen Malone early points putting giving the home side a 0-4 to 0-2 lead after 15 minutes of play. Jody Donohoe and Kevin O Connor added further points before half time to give their team a 0-6 to 0-3 lead at half time. The Shelmaliers continued their fine form in the second half with points from Stephen McGuire, Kevin O Connor (2) and Aaron Murphy extending their sides lead after 12 minutes of the second half. A great goal from Tony Smith after 15 minutes put the Shelmalier into a commanding lead with Colin Cleary and Kevin O Connor giving a 1-13 to 0-6 victory. The Shelmaliers had outstanding players throughout the field and the team now play Fethard in the quarter final which is fixed for Hollymount on Saturday next starting at 2pm. So give this great group of players your support on Saturday next.