The first U-16 match I managed to attend last year was the league final against Dicksboro. The game, played in beautiful Ballyhale sunshine, was a total disaster. The team were run ragged by a far superior side. On that day you could only see one team winning this championship and that would be Dicksboro. Players, mentors and supporters were disappointed by the performance but felt the championship would bring an improvement. And How!

On a wet June evening the adventure began. The venue was Thomastown and the opposition were Castlecomer. This was a lucky escape. We should have been out of the championship. But we rode our luck and with some refereeing decisions going our way we managed a draw. The replay was fixed for Callan. The performance was much better on this occasion and we recorded a comfortable victory in the end. Brian Meade replaced the injured Eamon Hennebry for this game.

The semi – final was against O’Loughlin Gaels in Ballyhale.
A tough challenge awaited the players because the opposition had already beaten Dicksboro in the first round. It would be an uphill struggle. The early exchanges were tough. The team had a slender lead at half – time thanks to a goal by Stephen Crowley. The second half was more of the same. With never more than a point between the sides at any stage during the hour’s playing time we eventually held out for a much-merited victory.

The county final was fixed once more for Ballyhale. It was a big day for all concerned. The team looked focused and ready to give their best. The opposition were the famed green and red of James Stephens (The Village). As All Ireland Club champions they had a reputation to uphold.
Mooncoin started well and some early scores helped settle the nerves. We had a good lead at half time. However it was clear that our defence would need to be disciplined as the Village had an ace free taker. With the game within our grasp we let a seven point lead slip. A point near the end by Richie Doyle enabled the team to force a replay.
There was a feeling of relief when the final whistle was blown. Many people thought that our chance had passed us by. Being in control, the team took their eye off the ball. The replay would be a further test of character.

The replay in Callan surpassed the first game for sheer drama and excitement. With the elements in their favour for the first half, the team only lead by the narrowest of margins at half time.
One man told me he couldn’t see the team winning from this position. He didn’t realise the resilience of this bunch of players.
In the dressing room meanwhile the team management were putting a plan in place. They decided to change the structure of the team. This meant moving Thomas Kearns and Thomas Healy into the defence and pushing P.J. Rowe and Mark Fitzgerald further forward. It was a brave move but was one that eventually paid off.
The second half was incredible. The team drove forward and with five minutes remaining had a six-point lead. They surely wouldn’t leave it slip second time around; or would they?
With time running out James Stephens managed to rattle the net. The gap was now three points. Then the Village struck again from a close range free. The teams were level. From the resulting puck out the Stephens went in front by a point.

It was surely all over. We had surrendered yet another good lead to the opposition, costing the club another county title. Next thing Danny Purcell has the sliotar. He is running up the wing and heading for goal. Instead of taking his point he tries for a goal. The keeper makes a great save. Why didn’t he take his point? Extra time would be better than a defeat. The umpire gives a 65. Thomas Kearns’s long-range effort deceives everybody. It crosses the line and the official raises the green flag. The celebrations begin somewhat prematurely. There are still a few minutes left. Time enough for a come back. Suddenly there is a chance. Goalie Niall O’Hanlon makes a great save to concede a 65. This free is dropped in towards the goalmouth. Just as the attacker is about to shoot, the final whistle blows. Feelings of relief, joy and disappointment ripple throughout the crowd as the supporters acknowledge they have witnessed an excellent county final. All that was left to do was for Joe Pyke Chairman of Bord na nOg to present the cup to the team’s captain Cormac Daly. An exciting year ended on a high. Finally a Roinn A county title returns to “the banks of the Suir that flows down by Mooncoin.”