ALL IRELAND SEVENS: Ferrybank Gaa club travelled to St Judes Gaa grounds in Templeogue yesterday to compete in this years All Ireland Sevens and what a great day the players and supporters had. First up was a game against St Patricks of Carlow at 11am, played in rain the lads got going quickly and ran out deserving winners on a scoreline of 4-5 to -3pts, with the scores coming from Sam Lawless (3-1), Phil Blake (1-0), Eoin o' Neill (-2), Damien Ahearn(-1), Greg Murphy (-1). We had a break for roughly an hour before our second game took place, thankfully the rain had stopped at that stage, where we faced the defending champions Shannon Rovers from Tipperary and this was a good game where we were in it for long stages, but the Tip men prevailed on a scoreline of 5-8 to 4-4. (Shannon Rovers went on to retain their cup section).Our scores in this game was Sam Lawless (2-1), Eoin O' Neill(1-1) Greg Murphy (1-0) Damien Ahearn(-2). Our next game in the group was against Naomh Columcille from Tyrone, and the lads went about their business from the start, winning on a scoreline of 8-6 to 4-1. The scores were Eoin O' Neill (6-2), Phil Blake (1-1), James Murphy (1-0), Damien Walsh (-2), Sam Lawless(-1).
Our last game in the group was against Ahascragh from Galway, which was going to be another test, and this game ebbed and flowed for the twenty minutes, with the game hanging in the balance until the final whistle, with the Galway side winning by two points on a scoreline of 3-9 to 4-4. Scores from the game were Eoin O' Neill (2-2), Sam Lawless (2-0), Shane O' Sullivan (-1), Damien Ahearn (-1). We were now in the shield section, and certainely their was no rest for the wicked and roughly, thirty minutes later, we were in quater final action against Sean Treacys from Tipperary. We made a good start with three quick goals and led by 4-2 to 1-2 at half time, but the Tip men came at us in the second half, and reduced the game to a point, but points from Philly, and Sam, and a goal from the latter gave us the win by five points on a scoreline of 5-7 to 5-2. It was onto semi final stage now and St Brendans of Loughrea stood in the way for a place in the final, and what a game it was, trailling by seven points at half time, the lads came out flying with Sam Lawless getting two goals, followed by a Greg Murphy point to level the game, another Sam goal left us in the lead, but St Brendans refused to give in, and levelled the game with a goal of their own. At the end of normal time it was 3-5 each. Sudden death was now in play with next score the winner either point or goal will do. A quick free from Damien Walsh down to Sam Lawless was picked up, and Sam drove it high over the bar to win the game for Ferrybank, and put them into the final on a scoreline of 3-6 to 3-5. Scores from the team were Sam Lawless (3-4), Greg Murphy (-1), Eoin o' Neill (-1). It was now on to the final against Tourin from Cappoquin , and it was great to have two Waterford teams in the final, and a good game it turned out to be. We missed a couple of early chances to give us the lead, and it was Tourin who took theirs as they lead at half time by 1-2 to -1,. In the second half another Tourin goal put six points between them but an Eoin O' Neill goal reduced the gap to three, Tourin tagged on a point, but Sam bagged a goal to leave it at one, points were exchanged and we couldnt get the levelling point to bring the game into extra time, as the final whistle went it was Tourin who were the winners on a scorline of 2-6 to 2-5. To Tourin we say congratulations, and it was great to see the trophy coming to Waterford. Hard luck to Ferrybank as they gave it their all in the final, with the lads out on their feet, with one injury or another they didnt let those injuries get to them. Thanks to St Judes for their hospitality throughout the day, it was appreciated, to the supporters who came to cheer on the lads, it meant a lot to the players thanks a million, and hopefully the lads will go one better next year. Scores for the final Sam Lawless (1-3), Eoin O' Neill(1-2). Team for the sevens: Conor Hogan, Gary Coady, Damien Walsh, Shane Sullivan, Phil Blake, Sam Lawless, James Murphy, Eoin O' Neill, Greg Murphy, Damien Ahearn. Thanks also to Liam Cooke who provided the transport to and from the grounds.
