U16, 15 and 13 hurlers win

Under 16 Hurling: St Sylvesters 1-16 Na Fianna 3-06

Despite losing only 1 game all season, we knew it was going to be a big ask stepping up in to the Divison 1 Championship to take on high flying Na Fianna. While we were confident we had the hurling to live with our more vaunted opponents we also knew that we needed to bring hunger, desire and focus for the full 60 minutes.

From the opening exchanges it was apparent that every player who pulled on the jersey was up for it. Conor Meaney got our opening point and went on to give a huge display but while Conor has been outstanding all season on Saturday it was his midfield partner, Thomas Richardson who was Man of the Match. With a tally of 1-11, married with a dynamic display of all the skills, the team captain showed leadership and commitment. The first half exchanges were nip and tuck until Na Fianna snuck in for a couple of goals but the lads never buckled and while turning a point down despite playing well the feeling at the break was that this was our game to win. When we tacked on the first couple of scores in the second half that feeling grew. There were great performances throughout the team. Derek Morris on goal was soundness personified. The full back line of Oisin Klinkenbergh, Stephen Keogh and Niall Gilson was sticky and solid and when Na Fianna through the kitchen sink at us in the last 10 minutes they were unyielding. The half backs, Kevin McLoughney, Garreth McGrath and Brian Shalloe were committed and hard working. Conor Quinn went on for Kevin at half time and seamlessly slotted in.

Our forwards put in an astonishing amount of hard work, tackling like defenders, harrassing and closing down, real Championship grit. Everyone of them made an important play –John Peacock, James O’Callaghan, Andrew Smith, Kevin O’Flynn, David Kennedy, Eamon McIlgorm and Kevin Fanning.

While winning a game in the Division 1 Championship is an important mile stone for these young players it is a starting point and not an ending. We will take a lot of confidence from this result going in to the semi-final against Championship favourites Lucan but will have to raise our game even more if we are to come out on top. However all of us involved with this team believe that there is more to come from these lads. We would like to thank all who came to support us on Saturday, we play again in 2 weeks, at home in Bridgefield and we hope to have even more supporters along.

U15B C'ship semi-final Syls beat Oliver Plunkets ER by 5 points

Congrats to Eddie and Ger and their team on qualifying for the B Championship final against the winners of Vincents and Peregrines in two weeks time.

U13Div2 H St Brigids 5-5 St Sylvesters 5-7

Our first away win in a long while and all the more satisfying as we came from behind twice. We started well but missed our chances early and the game was still scoreless after a quarter. Brigids half back line took over for a while and the had a handsome 3-4 return from a 10 minute spell before a Paul Ryan goal and Simon and Colm points gave us some respite before the break.We dominated for most of the second half and finally got ahead with about 10 minutes remaining before Brigids pulled 5 points ahead with 2 goals and a point. Driven forward by a superb Simon Owens we refused to give up and were rewarded with another goal and three points to win by 2. We were delighted with everyones display and looked like we grew up a little today.

Team Killian Haverty, Jake Fricker, Karl Archibald, Paudie White, Gavin Mulligan, Simon Owens, Andrew Cunningham, Hugh Murray, Josh Nolan, Paddy McIntyre (Ben Higgens), Sean Foley, Eoin Kennedy, Eoin McCarthy, Paul Ryan, Colm Boran

U11 2 Team - Syle beat Vincents in both games.

A late late goal gave us a one point win in one of the games. We were well in control through in the other.