Both our junior teams were stretched to the absolute limit in the county league at the weekend as the minimum number of players (13 in C game/15 in B game) togged and got their respective games.
Div 7B
Austin Stacks C 3-9 Ballydonoghue B 3-17
With a multitude of factors conspiring against both sides a massive amount of credit is due to both sets of players for their efforts in keeping both games competitive despite the odds being stacked firmly against them. Massive credit is due to players who played for both teams on both days namely Evan Foley, Dan O’Rourke and Dara Moriarty.
With Ballydonoghue having played their A game on Friday night, it was always going to be an uphill struggle for our C team to get a result on Saturday lunchtime. A mixture of young and old man the fourth commendably with the evergreen Oliver Lata answering the call late between the sticks. Others to impress were Jesse O’Sullivan who took a big knock late on as well as the flying Ciaran Kavanagh and Barry Nagle in defense. Tom McLoughin once again was an absolute rock at the back in trying circumstances.
Joe Looby did not shirk from an unusual midfield berth putting in a man of the match performance with the ageless Joe Kinsella on the forty also vying for that accolade. Up from 14 points was a good tally with the pinpoint accuracy of David Courtney passing linking well with the impressive Padraig Breen time and time again.
The final word, however, goes to surely another record for William Kirby who in lining out at fifty years of age never looked out of place. This week we travel to Spa on Friday evening.
Team-Oliver Lata, Barry Nagle, Ciaran Kavanagh, Tom McLoughlin, Evan Foley, Dan O’Rourke, Joe Looby, Joe Kinsella, Padraig Breen, David Courtney, William Kirby, Dara Moriarty, Jesse O’Sullivan.
Click here for Adrienne McLoughlins Match Gallery.
Div 5
Kilgarvan 3-11 Austin Stacks B 0-14
Fifteen brave men travelled to Kilgarvan on Sunday evening stymied by a host of injuries and unavailability of players. Cormac Bastible who would play for minor on Monday was the star with a multitude and variety of scores that indicate a big future for the Bastible baby. Indeed, it was a very interesting day for Dad Batt as he looked on as Shane went down with a heavy injury just before half time only to be replaced by the eldest brother Seamus who travelled as selector for the team.
Another soldier Andrew Morrissey must be congratulated for his club commitment as he stepped up to the plate to fill the gap competently at corner back. Great to see Dara Barry Walsh back in action too after his sabbatical. The team battled bravely throughout, never dropping their heads with very little between the teams. Well done to all concerned. This week we play host to Lispole on Sunday afternoon.
Team-Brian Horgan, Andrew Morrissey, John Murphy, Donnacha Horgan, Dara Barry Walsh, Ruairi O’Connell, Evan Foley. Thomas Derege, Sean Heaslip, Daniel O’Rourke, Shane Bastible, Greg Scanlan, Dara Moriarty, Cormac Bastible, Pat McCarthy.
Man of the Match-Ruairi O’Connell.
Austin Stacks B Starting team Vs Kilgarvan