U15 HURLING CHALLENGE V WICKLOW – SATURDAY 5 AUGUST 2017, EIRE OG, GREYSTONES
CUALA 5-25; WICKLOW DEVELOPMENT 2-08
The sun shone down brightly in Greystones as Cuala’s U15 hurlers took on the Wicklow Development squad in a challenge game on Saturday morning 5 August. Both sides were suffering ‘the holiday blues’ and a lot of players were unavailable. The game was played at a lively pace and the final score didn’t reflect the effort both teams applied to the exchanges. Wicklow missed a hat-full of chances particularly in the first half. For Cuala, Conall O’Toole is developing into a serious hurler. He scored 2-5 from play and opened up the defence a number of times with passes to inside forwards. His two goals came from typical bursts through the centre and explosive finishes to the net. Conor Grant was solid at centre-back and nothing past him in a rock-like performance in the diamond. He commanded the defence. Alex McEvoy and Sean Walsh together with Cormac O’Floinn were very solid in the full-back line. Shane Hayes’ accuracy from dead-balls and from play netted him 1-11 and again increased his worth to the team. He has a seriously good eye for finding the target. Cuan Nugent buzzed around annoyingly and scored 1-2 from play. But it was Mickey Mahon who took the plaudits as man-of-the-match. His industry, his work-rate, his engine was second to none. He was out in front for every ball, he worked tirelessly for the defence and when moved to mid-field he was in perpetual motion hunting down loose ball, harrying the opposition, winning turn-overs and driving the team forward. His co-conspirator Conall O’Drisceoil was also enjoying a sweet performance until a fractured thumb brought him ashore. We wish him well with his recovery. Wicklow had 5 goal chances but only took two as the Glenealy goalie between the sticks for Cuala played a blinder!
Next up: Cuala travel down to Cork to play Seanie McGrath’s Glen Rovers hurlers on 26th August. They then have Crokes in the final League game on 31st August, and play Championship on 10th September.
Panel: Charlie (Glenealy), Alex McEvoy, Sean Walsh, Cormac O’Floinn, Comhghal O’Coffaigh-Byrne, Conor Grant (0-1,1 ’65), Michael Mahon (0-2), Ryan Malone (0-2), Aaron Carey (0-1), Cuan Nugent (1-2), Conall O’Toole (2-5), Shane Hayes (1-11, 5 frees, 1 ’65), Peter Keane, Conall O’Drisceoil (1-0), Cillian Dunne (0-1), Finn Breathnach.
