U14s beat St Dominic’s to win John Martin Cup

Southern Gaels claimed the John Martin Cup for the first time in its club history, in great style on Friday night with a super team performance over near rivals St. Dominic’s from Roscommon. The sides had previously met earlier in the season with only a score separating them, so it was never going to be easy. The real intensity started in the second half after finishing honours even in the first half. The ball flowed between both ends with the defence dominating either end. In the Gaels full backline, Ryan, Calum and Luke O’C who have held the line for so many matches together, were their ever-reliant selves with nothing squeezing through. The Half backline of Michael, Alban and Luke W started to dominate their opponents and worked well together.

The first score of the second period came from a super defensive ball sprayed to the wings scooped up nicely by Cian who fired over from the tightest of angles practically on the side-line. Bobby Nugent, who was showing well all over the forward line, grabbed the next, before Cian pointed a free. The game was very evenly balanced now and a goal at either end would be significant. Johnny did one of his super runs into the cauldron to draw a free 25 metres out for Cian to repeat his now trademark bullet frees and rattle the nett. No sooner was the puckout taken that Dominic’s replied with a wonder goal at the other end to leave only 1 score between the teams again.

The forwards of Eoin and Dano seemed to tackle hardest and set-up a critical point for Bobby to give the Gaels some breathing space on the score line. Dominic’s were not to lie down, and Alex and Zach stood tall to the onslaught with Cillian performing as solid as ever in goals. However, it was Alban who really broke Dominic’s hearts with so much bravery, surely winning the most tackle count all over the pitch with one of particular brilliance being from a puckout to quickly feed Geary who split the posts most accurately lightning fast. Oisín O’Flaherty as always put his body on the line to keep them out, while Oisín Flynn at the other end was wreaking havoc, well supported by Paul and Cormac who’s never say die attitude kept the ball vitally in attack. Paidí won some more brilliant balls to feed Nugent to claim the winning score of the night. John Martin Winners: Cillian Geary, Ryan Fallon, Calum Devaney, Luke O’Connell, Michael Dolan, Alban Cepi, Luke Whelan, Oisín O Flaherty, Cian Geary (1-3), Johnny Martin, Oisín Flynn, Dano McMonagle, Bobby Nugent (0-3), Paidí O Leochain, Cormac Bradley, Paul Hogan, Eoin Hardiman, Zach Meegan, Alex Devaney. Injured on the night: Luke Farrell, Thomas Collins, & Conn O’Hara.

 

Join us for Club Night on 12th October

The great and the good of Southern Gaels will gather in Áras Chiaráin on Friday 12th October to celebrate what has been a busy but successful year for this busy and successful hurling club. The current plan for the night is for the club’s Intermediate team to take on a selection of SG legends and current “Rise Up and Hurl” Tuesday night hurlers to compete for the John Maher Cup at 8pm. After this, players will join parents and club personnel in the clubhouse for some food along with appropriate beverages for a night of hurling recollections and dreams for the future. Be sure to book the babysitter for what promises to be a great night if its anything like last year’s success.

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