The O'Donovan Rossa junior hurlers held off a spirited second half revival from St. James to eke out a narrow two point win in their junior A hurling quarter-final clash last Friday night in Ballinacarriga on a scoreline of 2-10 to 0-14. Skibb started brightly scoring a goal and a point within the opening four minutes action. Alan Foley who was unerring in his accuracy from set pieces throughout opened the scoring with a long range free kick before corner forward Kevin Crowley calmly drove the sliotar to the back of the net with an assured close range finish, after a silky penetrating run from Donagh Long. St. James after a turgid start gradually began to gain a foothold on proceedings with Damien Dooley notching three successive points from frees. Skibb who were missing influential quartet, Conor Long, Rob McCarthy, Paudie Cotter and Noel Kearney for a variety of reasons were playing some lovely crisp, concise and confident hurling. Rob Long and Kevin Cotter scored two points in quick succession to extend the Skibb lead to three points after 19 minutes. Two converted frees from Alan Foley and Kevin Cotter helped Skibb establish a deserved five point lead at the interval. St. James started the second half with renewed vigour and a greater degree of urgency scoring two points in a row. Skibb by now were dropping very deep, such was the extent of the intense pressure being applied by a resurgent Ardfield outfit. The Skibb rearguard held firm, defending well as a unit to repel the St. James attackers. Skibb were rewarded for their patience with a superb breakaway goal. Flor Crowley who emphasises all that is good about this Skibb hurling team, won a breaking ball, before breaking out of defence with rugged determination, he found Kevin Cotter in space to drive a long ball into full forward Rob Long whose deft touch released an alert Kevin Crowley to guide the ball low into the bottom right hand corner of the net for a crucial goal. Alan Foley from a long range free and Stevie Cotter struck points to enable Skibb to hold a seven point lead with ten minutes remaining. However, this turned out to be the last score of the game for Skibb as St. James, who laid siege in a dramatic action-packed finale, struck five consecutive points to reduce the arrears to two points. Skibb showed tremendous character and spirit to hold off a gallant Ardfield team to secure their semi-final place against the winners of the St. Oliver Plunketts v Dohenys clash. Team: Alan Foley, Billy Long, Shane Crowley snr, Colm Keohane, Michael Dan O'Donovan, Diarmuid Shanahan, Shane Crowley jnr, Shane Keohane, Flor Crowley, Stevie Cotter, Kevin Cotter, Cathal Keohane, Kevin Crowley, Rob Long, Donagh Long. The minor footballers' first round championship encounter against Castlehaven has been scheduled for Friday, August 22. The winners of this tie will progress to a second round clash against Carbery Rangers. The annual church gate collection will be held at all the local masses this weekend. This source of fundraising is imperative as it brings much needed revenue into the club which is vital in maintaining the club on an even financial footing, so essential in the wake of today's worsening economic downturn whilst continuing to provide the players with the best of facilities to continue their football and hurling education. There was no winner of the lotto draw which took place in Caroline's Bar last Monday night for e2,000. The numbers drawn were 3, 9, 14 and 17. The consolation prize winner was Agnes Crowley. Next week's lotto draw will be held in Baby Hannah's Bar and will have a jackpot of e2,250. John Bohane, Secretary O'Donovan Rossa. Tweet

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