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Minor Matters 2005
The group of Minor hurlers and footballers in our club for 2005 would
not have been considered a vintage crop. Yet before the year was over
they had become championship-winning material.
The management team of James Grace, Joe Wall and Ned Quinn had their work
cut out for them. They had some interesting challenge games to start off
before entering a competitive league campaign. Some hard earned victories
in the group earned them a place in the semi finals against Lisdowney.
The game was played in Callan.
The team had played well in getting this far but on this particular evening
they failed to deliver on the potential they had shown. In the end a disappointing
defeat left people wondering if this group of players had what it took.
It would be this team’s last defeat of the year.
Just under a week later these same players took on Johnstown, once more
in Callan. Questions remained unanswered. Were these players good enough?
They struggled to gain momentum during the first half. The sides were
level with ten minutes left. A flurry during this final period helped
to ease the nerves of the supporters and the team managed to record a
comprehensive win.
The quarter – final was against local neighbours Kilmacow. This
game was played in Piltown. Being beaten in a local derby is never a good
thing. This would be a tough encounter having lost to the same side in
a challenge game some months previously. Once more it was a tight affair
with nothing between the sides throughout the hour’s playing time.
In the end we managed to hold on for a one – point victory.
The semi – final was played in Callan against a highly regarded
Conahy side. It was a dour October afternoon and weather conditions were
not ideal. They started well but had the misfortune to concede an early
goal. The team battled back and lead at half – time having played
with the elements at their backs. A goal and a few points at the start
of the second half managed to enlarge the gap too much. As hard as Conahy
tried they were unable to bridge the deficit and a county final awaited
our club.
The club returned in large numbers to Callan for the county final against
Lisdowney. Hopefully the result would be different on this occasion. Similarly
to the semi – final we conceded an early goal but managed to redeem
ourselves during the rest of the half. With the elements in our favour
we only managed a slender lead at half – time. Things didn’t
look good. The players rolled up their sleeves in the second half and
battled for all they were worth. They managed to earn a draw and a replay
date would need to be fixed.
A fortnight later we were all in the park for round two of this epic contest.
Would today be our victory or would we fall at the final hurdle once more.
An hour’s hurling would answer all questions. We failed to fully
utilise, playing with the elements in the first period. Behind at half
time, backs were to the wall. There was only one way to answer the critics.
A point with some two minutes left by P.J. Rowe ensured victory. The final
blast of referee Paddy Neary’s whistle was greeted with scenes of
unbridled joy. Players, parents and supporters enjoyed the moment as captain
Sean Wall received the Ted Carroll trophy from Joe Pyke, Chairman of Bord
na nOg. A long and winding season had come to an end with a trophy finally
locked safely in the cabinet.