Primary Game between Offaly and Tipperary
Although the senior hurling match between Tipperary and Offaly in Portlaoise may have been a little one-sided, the Primary Game was to prove a much tighter affair. The game was organised by Cumann na mBunscol Uibh Fhaili and Cumann na mBunscol Thiobraid Arann. These games are small sided and in line with the Go-Games philosophy. The games are refereed by children in order to promote sport for all children of various abilities. This game is sure to have been a memorable experience for all the children and their mentors. The fact that both Offaly mentors are from Tipperary added to the intensity of the game.
Two teams from Tipperary lined out against two teams from Offaly.
Offaly Team 1, Reece Cuddihy (Walsh Island NS), Aaron Flaherty (Kinnitty NS), Padraic Bergin (Seir Kieran NS), John Murray (Rath NS), Emmett Malloy (Clonmacnois NS), Karl Guinan (Coolanarney NS), Peter Walsh (Killeigh NS), Andrew Flynn (Lusmagh NS), Michael Harrington (St Rynaghs NS), Conor Mallloy (Coolderry Central NS). Offaly Team 2. Joe Daly Lowry (Pullough NS), Jack Dooley (Ballinamere NS) Damian Mooney (Walsh Island NS), Joseph Corboy (Kinnitty NS) Harley Dalzell (Kilcormac BNS), Seamus O Brien (Clara NS), Daniel O Meara (Birr BNS), James Coughlan (Kinnitty NS), Billy Bourke (Coolderry NS), Anthony Gilmartin (Broughal NS), Sean Farrell (Tubber), Ronan Bracken (Coolderry Central) Mentors Eoin Kennedy -Kinnitty NS (Borrisoleigh) Joe Carmody -Walsh Island NS (Cappawhite)
Tipperary Team1 Tom Fitzgerald, Cian Murray, Jack Prior, Declan O Connell, David McCormack, Micheál Carey, Jamie Corcoran, James McCormack, John Ryan, Conor Keane, T.J. Ryan. Tipperary Team 2, Paudie Younge, Aaron Reid, Franz Leimleher, Eoin Stapleton, Dan Brooks, Liam Devaney, Charlie Stapteton, Gerry Kelly, Aaron Donnelly, Brendan O Dywer, Dylan Malloy. Mentors Brendan Kenny – Nenagh CBS, Ruairi O Connell – Borrisoleigh, Michael Carey – Borrisoleigh.
Referees; Raymond McCormack and Aaron Rabbitte.
Offaly Team 2 Played Tipperary Team 1 on the Stand side in O Moore Park and Offaly Team 1 played Tipperary team 2 on the Terrace side.
Offaly Team 2 Versus Tipperary Team 1 was a fantastic game, which proved to be very tight. Offaly Team 1 V Tipperary team 2 was a slightly one sided affair with the Faithful boys coming out on top with some fantastic scoring.
On lookers after the game can rest assures about the future of Hurling in both Offaly and Tipperary. Harley Dalzell of Kilcormac showing real class and determination, one for the future for sure!
Both Offaly and Tipperary Cumann na mBunscol have operated these Primary Games throughout the League and Championship to date, affording children from all over their counties the opportunity to play in various county grounds around the country and to experience the thrill of wearing their county jersey.
