The Senior hurlers picked up their first piece of silverware of the season when winning the Division 3 section of the Sarsfield’s St Patrick’s day sevens tournament.
In the group stages we were pitted with Sarsfields B and Bredagh with Setanta B late withdrawals. We were based at the Grosvenor Recreation Centre for these matches with the top two qualifying for the semi-finals. The other section of Division 3 was held at Hightown with St Enda’s, McDermotts, Carryduff and St Agnes vying for the top two spots.
Our first game was against Sarsfields B and with Sarsfields hitting an early goal it looked as if we were going to be up against it. However, we re-grouped and playing some fine hurling we proved to be too strong for our opponents running out winners 5-3 to 1-1. Peter Carleton top scored with 4-0 with the other scores coming from Canice Mooney 1-0, Martin Mooney 0-1 and Gary Nelson 0-2.
As with our first game we went behind to an early goal against Bredagh in
our second match. Again we showed true grit and determination as we forged into a 1-4 to 1-0 lead. Scores cames from Gerard McNally 1-0, Gary Nelson 0-2, Martin Mooney 0-1 and Canice Mooney 0-1. We were strong defensively with Michael Brady and Gearoid Cosgrove breaking down the Breadgh attack. A Bredagh point was followed by a Canice Mooney goal which gave us the win 2-4 to 1-1 and booked us top spot in our section and set us up for a semi-final encounter with St Agnes who finished up runners up in their section.
We travelled to Sarsfields pitch for the semi-final and as with the previous two games went behind this time to an Aggies point. We then edged to a three point advantage with Canice Mooney taking a long range point and Rory McEvoy blasting to the net.  However St Agnes responded witha goal of their own and the game was on again. We then went on a scoring spree with Canice Mooney notching a further 2-1 and  Rory McEvoy adding another point. A St Agnes goal reduced the deficit but another Canice Mooney goal finished of the game to see us victors and into the final 4-3 to 2-1. We played some nice hurling in this match with Michael Brady doing well in goal, Gerard McNally and Gearoid Cosgrove playing solidly in defense, while Martin Mooney and Gary Nelson provided the link in the middle for our forwards Canice Mooney, Peter Carleton and Rory McEvoy.
The final against Carryduff saw us take an early advantage as Rory McEvoy
slotted the sliotar over the bar only for it to be cancelled out by a Carryduff minor. For the remainder of the half we totally dominated all over the pitch, not giving Carryduff the opportunity to add any further scores while we hit 1-3 without reply to take a half time lead 1-4 to 0-1. Scores came from Gary Nelson 1-1 and Canice Mooney 0-2.Â
Carryduff briefly threatened at the start of the second half as they drove the sliotar to the net but a Rory McEvoy goal cancelled out that effort only for Carryduff to add another goal and again reduce the deficit to three points. Rory McEvoy’s second goal of the game restored our six point advantage and with time running out the Carryduff response was two unanswered points which left us victors 3-4 to 2-3.
We were deserving winners of this excellent tournament and all credit to the players who turned up and gave 100% in their quest to get their first silverware of the season.Â
Panel: Michael Brady, Tommy Toland, Gearoid Cosgrove, Gerard McNally, Martin Mooney, Gary Nelson, Canice Mooney, Peter Carleton, Rory McEvoy.
Check out photos from the day by clicking here.
