U15 Hurling Lerague Division 2
St. Paul’s 3-3 Creggan 8-17
Report and photographs: Joe Rice
St.Paul’s hit the ground running and couldn’t have wished for a better start – 2.02 up to no score with 12 minutes on the clock. The lads from the Shaw’s Road were in total control for the first quarter of the game as they went up through the gears. Creggan’s first white flag came in the 13th minute and, from then until the Ref, Paddy Tumelty, blew for half time, they held St.Paul’s at bay allowing the home side an additional goal while the visitors raked up 3.08.
Creggan started the second half with the same intensity as they had finished the first half accumulating some impressive scores and to be fare against a much younger home side who will gain from this experience. The home side battled extremely well and repelled Creggan on several occasions but the visitors with their tails up had the winning post in sight.
An impression Sean Early showed his character with a fine goal and a super point 5 minutes into the game. His team mate, Oran Brennan, matched Early’s tally with a point and goal for himself after 12 minutes putting the home side in a great position, 2.02 to no score. Creggan had been very unlucky for the first 15 minutes and badly needed a score to settle themselves.
Their big full forward, Conor Loughran, finally broke through St.Paul’s defence after several efforts to get the visitors on the score board. Three minutes later, Shea Devlin, pointed while Loughran added 1.01 to his tally to put 2 points between the sides. The visitors reduced the gap to 1 point – Rowan McGuckian, pointing from play. In a matter of seconds, Shea Devlin put the visitors 2 in front with their second goal of the contest. Three further white flags for Shea Devlin, 2 for Loughran and 1 for Cillian McEldowney moved Creggan into a comfortable league.
St.Paul’s reduced this deficit – Oisin McLarnon adding a goal and Ciaran Brown a point respectively to put the home side one in arrears. As we neared the end of the first period of play Creggan launched a barrage of attacks, many repelled by the home side keeper, Ronan Smith but it was an impossible task as Loughran increased his tally by 2 points as Devlin got the final goal before half time.
HALF TIME SCORE: St.Pauls 3.03 v Creggan 3.09
Creggan’s 6 point lead gave them the confidence they needed to empty the tank as St.Paul’s struggled to hold them at bay. The visitors started the second half with an early goal with Shay Devlin advancing at speed towards Ronan Smith, giving the Shaw’s Road keeper no chance. The same man made several impressive saves as for the next 10 minutes or so St. Pauls were defending well but this wasn’t to last.
Creggan knew what it would take to see out this contest scoring pretty much at will. Fintan Kelly got his first point and Loughran added 2 more with 15 minutes still on the clock. Creggan’s management then moved Tadgh McAteer into attack and this provided dividends – 2 low balls directed at the home side keeper on the 46th and 48th minutes raised 2 green flags for McAteer. St. Pauls didn’t give up and played for the jersey turning over several Creggan advances but they could barely get out of their half or penetrate the visitors’ back line.
Shea Devlin increased his tally by another point and goal with 50 minutes on the clock and this sealed the game for Kickham’s Creggan. McAteer got another point from his new position, Loughran added 3 further scores – 2 points and an injury time goal while Creggan’s keeper, Ronan Colgan, pushed forward to drop the ball over the bar getting himself on the scoring sheet. Referee, Paddy Tumelty, had a quiet and enjoyable game managing proceedings without any major incidents.
FINAL SCORE: St. Pauls 3.03 v Creggan 8.17.
St. Pauls: No.1 Ronan Smith, No.2 Odhran Phillips, No.3 Aaron McGarry, No.5 Nathan Barr, No.6 Eamon Kearney, No7 Cillian O’Neill, No.8 Michael Valliday, No,9 Joey Gault, No.10 Oran Brennan (0.01), No.11 Kiden Farrell, No.12 Matthew Armstrong, No.13 Sean Early (1.01), No.14 Oisin McLarnon (1.00), No.15 Ciaran Brown (0.01), No.16 Brogan McAvoy, No.17 Ronan Leonard, No. Luke Hamill.
Creggan: No.1 Ronan Colgan (0.01), No.2 Donal McKay, No.3 Fintan Keane, No.4 Sean Og Bovill, No.5 Fintan Kelly (0.01), No.6 Conor McLarnon, No.7 Ryan McGrath, No.9 Killian McEldowney (0.01), No.10 Ronan McGuckian (0.01), No.11 Shea Devlin (2.04), No.12 Thadgh McAteer (2.01), No.13 Shea Daly, No.14 Conor Loughran (4.07), No.15 Sean O’Hara, No.16 Conor Downey, No. Oisin Devlin.
