Clara GAA Club Notes July 15th
Underage Hurlng
The last week was the busiest week in underage hurling for years, starting on Monday night when our U6’s and U8’s travelled to Ballycumber for a hurling blitz. The U6’s played Brosna Gaels and under the management of Liam Doyle showed great skill and all their Thursday night training paid off. The U8’s with their coaches David Gavin, Ivan Melia and William “Banjo” Flynn played Brosna Gaels and St.Rynaghs and had a very enjoyable evenings hurling.
The U16’s played Coolderry in Clara also on Monday evening and after a great game of hurling, Clara lost out on a scoreline of 2-9 to 0-11. Clara had the lead early in the second half but conceded 2 quick goals and never recovered. Clara played with great skill and heart and with a few more training sessions under their belt, they will be a match for any team.
The Clara panel was: Glen Cunningham, Ryan Kelly, Calum Egan, Josh Kearney, David Falsey, Colm Doyle, Luke Dignam, Steven Buckley, Dermot Doolan, Seamus O’Brien, Denis Hacket, Ciaran Doyle, Jonathan Hanamy, Mark Newman, Josh McCluskey, Dylan O’Keefe, Conor Egan, Conor Monaghan, Daryl O’Brien and Wesley Johnson.
On Wednesday night our minor hurlers had a great derby battle against Tullamore and came out on top on a scoreline of 2-20 to 3-15. Played in Clara on the new pitch, there was plenty of room and this is conducive to good hurling and the high scores making it great entertainment for all the supporters who showed up. However on the down side in the last few minutes Colm Doyle picked up a serious leg injury, which will keep him out for the next 4-6 weeks. We wish him a speedy recovery. The minor panel was: Glen Cunningham, Ryan Kelly, Martin Fleming, Niall Keenan, Dermot Doolan, Colm Doyle, David Newman, Alan Gavin, Adam Dolan, Steven Buckley, Leon Egan, Carl Stewart, Seamus O’Brien, Darren Fleming, Lorcan Cowen and Jonathan Hanamy.
UNDERAGE HURLING TRAINING
Training continues every Thurs evening in Pairc Phroinsias, for U6/U8/U10/U12 at 6.30 – 7.30 and 6.15 – 7.30 for U14 hurling training.
U14 HURLING
On Friday last our U14 hurlers travelled to Kinnitty on a very warm night for hurling. The Clara lads dug deep and won on a scoreline of 5-8 to 3-3. Played on the main pitch in Kinnitty which was in great condition it was end to end stuff with our 3 water boys Barry Egan, Marcuis Dalton and Conor Doyle the busiest players on the field. After the game the Clara team headed for a local mountain river for the team cool down which helped to refresh the warm and tired bodies. A big thank you to the parents and coaches, Padraic O’Meara, Mel Doyle and Tony Egan who accommodated this fun end to the evening.
U14 panel includes Gary Kelly, Mark Doorley, Thomas Guinan, Nathan Bracken, Conor Egan, Cathal O’Meara, Daryl O’Brien, Thomas Dolan, Mark Newman, Sean Fleming, Cameron Monaghan, Ruairi Dunne, Dean Larkin, Chris Egan and Ciaran Doyle.
U10 HURLING
On Sat morning our U10 hurlers travelled to Banagher to play St. Rynaghs and Drumcullen in a mini blitz. The Clara team played very well and took some fine scores in both games and will have learned a lot especially their coaches, Jimmy Hughes, Wayne Bracken, Colm Scanlon and Tommy Lynam who will have plenty to work on every Thurs night at training.
U10 panel Aaron Wynne, Jake Colleran, Marcus Dalton, Jake Foran, Barry Egan, Eoghan Gavin, Jamie Rowan, Tommy Bracken, Josh Fitzgerald, Callum Dunne, Eoin Scanlon, James Dunne, Liam Flynn.
***Br. Urban league Week 4 report***
Well the hottest day of the year produced some of the hottest football and with games running out it was clear from first throw-in that the eyes were on the prize. Once again a huge crowd gathered to support the kids and this support and encouragement was evident in the performances.
*JUNIOR BOYS*
Raheen v Bogtown
Raheen have been consistent throughout with the leadership of Conor Taylor and scoring of Kiefer Kelly and must have been confident of their chances but Bogtown would have also fancied their chances with talisman Ben Kennedy returning from foreign fields. Both keepers shone throughout with Bogtowns James McKenna and Raheens Ciaran McKeon having exceptional games. Both sides exchanged scores throughout with a James Kelly point on the run being the stand out score but with the game tied and entering the final few seconds it was left to young Harry Delaney to have the final say with a well taken goal for Raheen. Final Score: Raheen 2-2 Bogtown 1-3
Erry v The Town
A real game of two halves with The Town dominating first half possession and the scoreboard with Brian Murphy,Jack Devine and Ronan Brophill all scoring early and their defence of Kevin Minnock and Dylan Daly holding Erry scoreless. The second half however proved to be a different affair with Conor Doyle unleashed from the goalkeepers position to play midfield and set about bringing his teammates Brian Buckley, Brendan Delaney and Kevin o’Keefe into play. Alex handy had to retire early with a hand injury and was badly missed. Gordon Feery was instrumental in all the attacks and despite hitting the bar 3 times in as many minutes Erry wouldnt be denied when James Cullen fed Isaac Ryan who scored a sensational last kick winner . Final Score: Erry 3-0 The Town 1-2
The Green v The Boers
The Boers raced into an early lead with Darragh McKeon dominating the Greens backline with some great goals. Ronan Touhey, Myles Handy, Liam Flynn and Dylan Deehan all had great first halves but the Greens half time teamtalk worked wonders with them emerging a much more determined outfit. Noah Lowry and Kevin Gavin began to pull the strings in midfield and the scores came through Greg Byrne. The game was in the balance right up until the final whistle but the Green emerged the deserved winners.Final Score:The Green 4-3 The Boers 3-0
*SENIOR BOYS*
Raheen v Bogtown
A very tight and tense game between two evenly matched teams with Raheen pointing early through Jack Reynolds only for Sam Leech to score a goal for Bogtown followed by a brilliant point from Josh Cushen. It was real midfield battleground stuff with no team giving an inch. Aaron Wynne playing the game of his life, had a brilliant chance to put Raheen in front but a magnificent save from Cian Fleming turned it over for a point to draw the teams level again. The final 2 minutes saw Dylan Taylor come to the fore in midfield and drive Bogtown on to a slender but deserved win. Final Score: Raheen 0-3 Bogtown 1-5
Erry v The Town
Anyone that missed this game of the very highest quality will be regretting it as the result was in the balance right up to the final whistle. The Town through Neil Robbins, Barry Egan, Jack Murphy and Michael Daly began the stronger and despite Errys Dominic Scully scoring 2 great points The Town went in 2 goals up at the break. The second half began in the same way as the first with Eoin Gavin pointing for the Town early on to almost put Erry out of sight. That was until Cormac Delaney stepped up for his team and went on a mission to claw his team back into the game scoring 3-1 in 4 mins to draw them level going into the final minute. Only a point blank Diarmuid Digan save prevented an Erry win while the returning Luke Kennedy strengthened the Erry midfield. Outstanding game. Final Score: Erry 3-3 The Town 3-3
The Green v The Boers
A real game of end to end action with The Boers Alex Egan bossing the game early on with 1-1 and an outstanding point from keeper- turned-midfielder Conor Cushen. The Green couldnt get a grip on the game and at times The Boers looked likely to run up a high score and the half-time whistle came just at the right time for them. The second half began as if The Green were a different team with the returning Aodhan Moran making a big impact, with Lee Tierney dropping into midfield to pull the strings and Adam Kelly driving his team on. Daryl Molloy and Thomas Devine in midfield for The Boers were excellent and Christopher Buckley in goal was playing very well but The Greens greater experience and hunger shone through to leave them victorious on the night.Final Score: The Green 3-1 The Boers 1-2
This Sunday July 21st sees the finals of the 20th Br. Urban League in the boys school, there will be 8 finals played and the running order and matches will be decided after Tuesdays fifth and final group games. Its all leading up to an exciting finale and we look forward to seeing you all there.
by Chris Cullen
Clara GAA PRO.
