U13 hurlers trip to Killimor in Galway

With  Derek the Driver at the helm ( Malahide Coaches) the U13 hurlers pulled out of Malahide at 9oc, left the Pale at 9:30, crossed the Shannon at 10:30, and met the Tribesmen in Killimor, just outside Baillinasloe  at 11oc

 

 

 

Up ahead , the Havertys were riding shotgun, guiding us down those last few miles from Ballinsloe to Killimor, on  roads so narrow that  righthand ditch was closer to the Bus than the lefthand. 

  It was a great group,  it felt good from the start, and it was. 

The drizzle had stopped, the piping tea, cakes and sandwiches were ready, Seamus, Tom and all the parents at Killimor Gaa had been busy.

  The pitch was big,  forget Croke Park size, think Phoenix Park...we opted for 17-a-side, helg us, to both, cover the ground and give all the subs a good run.

We started sluggishly, that bus journey taking its toll, however, slowly but surely we started working our way back into the match.

The lads have been hurling well lately, not always winning, but always stubborn.

Probably the most encouraging sign of this team starting to mature is their ability to find their way into a  game with little interference from the line.

  Killimor typically had a quality  spine to their team, numbers 3,6,9, were classy and competitive, first touch of every player was swift and confident, striking was top drawer. We only managed one point in that first half against the breeze, Killimor led with 2-3 
We stepped up a few gears in the second, Hugh Murray, Thomas, Karl bottled up the middle, Josh had another great game. Simon, Paudie took control at halfback and finally our forwards got to see the slioter.  EoinMc helped the revival with a goal, we threw Colly on ( broken arm how r ya, but don't tell his Mother !)  and he got another goal, followed by a point to make for a very even and entertaining final twenty minutes. We won the 2nd half 2-2 to 2-1 but it was not  enough to  haul back the first half deficit. Killmor were worthy winners 4-4 to 2-3.

 

Team:

Goalkeeper: Killian Haverty

Backs: Gavin Mulligan, Jake Fricker, Dylan Mc Evoy, Eoin Kennedy, Paudie White, Simon Owens (0-1), Sean Foley, Ciaran Casey

Mid: Hugh Murray, Thomas Colclough, Karl Archbold, Josh Nolan.

Fowards: EoinMc(1-1), Colm Boran (1-1), Ben Higgins, PaddyMc, Daniel Colclough, Sean Finn, Paul Ryan, Sam Horan.

 

Wallball

More tea and sandwiches and then on the hurling wall for a twenty minute session with Andrew Keary, county panelist and All-Ireland u21 medal winner with Galway when they beat the Dubs !

Andrew put the lads through their paces emphasising, hurley size (nearly always too big), grip position, and swing technique.

I could see an improvement even after this short session, we've got to get one of these walls !

 

More grub

A quick pit stop at Duffy's pub, Eugene had everything ready, the locals were a bit bemused, but lads were on their best behaviour and we escaped with our good reputation in tact.

 

Karting

Pallas Karting in Tynagh gave the lads a good briefing but this didn't prevent "super mario" Foley from getting his marching orders, nothing serious, those yellow flags are just for wimps !  All had a go and seemed to really enjoy it. The last group  had a tricky 20 minutes as the drizzle had started, plenty of spin offs, good for the spectators though ..!!!

Simon game out the winner, with EoinMc in second and then Paudie,

 

Finally,

Well done to Seamus, Tom, the players  and all in Killimor Gaa for the generous hospitality,  the hurling wall session was a great surprise and an excellent idea and great to have Andrew Keary coach the lads.

 

We look forward to returning the hospitality next season.

 

Many thanks to Kevin and Ann Haverty for all their work getting this organised (it take more phone calls than you'd imagine)  and to Alan Haverty for  manning the camcorder.  I will have Syls MOVIE_2 ready for the Xmas Party !!.....told you I'd be back..!!