UNDER 13 HURLING:
Our U13 hurlers qualified for the semi-final of the Bord na nÓg Division 1 with a thrilling two point win over a gallant Ballyduff Upper side last Sunday morning on a score-line of 3-11 to 2-12. A last gasp Conor Haley goal proved the difference, and therefore set up a semi-final clash against Ballygunner.
Ferrybank got off to a great start with a goal inside the opening minute with Caolan MacCathmhaoil reacting first to a loose ball, and putting it into the net. Ballyduff Upper response was swift, and minutes later, a '21 yard free was drilled to the net to level it up. Two further points had Ballyduff in the lead, but good scores from Conor Daly and Adam Aspel, once again had it level. With both defences holding firm, and not giving anything away, Ballyduff edged clear with points, but points from Caolan and Conor Daly ensured Ferrybank only trailed by one at the break 1-05 to 1-04.
Ferrybank started the second-half brighter and three quick points from Conor Haley and Conor Daly put Ferrybank ahead. Crucially, Ballyduff kept responding and replied with a goal, and two further points had them leading. With the game in the balance, Ferrybank kept close on Ballyduff’s tail, with Caolan and Conor Haley pointing to leave the minimum between them.
Entering the final ten minutes, with Ballyduff two points clear, the excellent Adam Aspel scored a rocket of a goal to give Ferrybank the lead, but, once again, Ballyduff refused to give in, and scored two quick points to regain the lead. Another great point from Adam had it level, and in the final minute, Ballyduff regained the lead, and it looked as if they would progress to the semis, but with one last chance, Conor Haley cut inside his man, and planted the sliothar to the net from an acute angle to give the team a great win.
No doubt, this was tough on Ballyduff, as they gave it everything, but fair play to Ferrybank, as they kept battling all the way and got their reward.
PANEL; Kyle Daly, Sean Akewami, Paddy Mackey, Harry Flanagan, Conor Daly (0-03), Adam Aspel (1-03), Michael McLaurence, Loughlan Flanagan, Finn McGarrity, Aaron Meaney, Jay Bagge, Sean Byrne, Jack Hoban, Caolain MacCathmhaoil (1-02), Conor Haley (1-03), Jacob Richards, Luigi D'ambra, Ryan Hughes.
UNDER 15 HURLING:
The U15 hurlers qualified for the Division 3 final last Thursday night, with a brilliant 6-11 to 1-12 win over Ballyduff Upper in Stradbally. Going into this game, the team were unbeaten, and no doubt for facing a stiff test, but passed with flying colours. Straight from the throw in, Ballyduff Upper bossed the opening exchanges, and put Ferrybank under a lot of pressure, and deservedly lead by four points at the half way stage.
With some stern words by the management team, which suddenly woke up the players, Ferrybank came out a different team, and blitzed Ballyduff Upper with three quick goals from Adam Aspel, Shane Purcell and Ruaidhri McGarrity. With Izaak Richards dominating the midfield, sending in plenty of ball to the forwards, who put them over the bar, Ferrybank were in control, and two further goals sealed the win.
With defenders, Odhran, Paddy, Sean A, Lochlann and Conor D now in control, refusing to give the opponents any chance to score, Ferrybank ran out deserving winners, and therefore qualify for next Saturday’s (September 21st) final against Ardmore in Walsh Park at 10:30am. Another close game will be on the cards, as when these two meet previously, only a point separated the sides, with Ferrybank coming back from a twelve point deficit, to edge a one point win. So all roads lead to Walsh Park next Saturday, and your support will be crucial on the day.
PANEL: Kyle Daly, Paddy Mackey, Sean Akewami, Loughlan Flanagan, Odhran Power, Conor Daly, Adam Aspel, Izaak Richards, Ruaidhri McGarrity, Shane Purcell, Harry Flanagan, Sean Heffernan, Daniel Griffin, Fionn McGarrity, Jay Bagge, Conor Haley, Caolan MacCathmhaoil, Luigi D'ambra, Matti Tomczuk.
MINOR HURLING:
Our Minor hurlers exited the Championship at the quarter-final stage last Sunday morning going down to a superior Brickey Rangers side. Brickeys dominated the game from the start, and built up a healthy half time lead, and there was no way back for the side. The team battled all the way, but it wasn’t to be.
CAMOGIE:
The Intermediate Camogie team went down narrowly to Gaultier B in their latest Championship game last Saturday evening on a score-line of 1-14 to 2-10.
Early points from Niamh Ahearne and Valerie O' Brien had the team settled. Valerie then scored a goal from close range to give Ferrybank the lead. From then on, it was points being traded, with Orla O' Neill and Valerie contributing the next five points between them, to ensure a 1-07 to 0-07 lead.
Gaultier began the second-half with three quick points, and it looked like they would kick on for victory, but Ferrybank got a lifeline, when a Iona Heffernan free went all the way into the net to level it up. Two further points from Valerie put Ferrybank into the lead, but some indiscipline in the Ferrybank defence cost them dearly, when a free in was brought forward, and the Gaultier player drove the ball to the net. Despite this setback, Ferrybank had a number of chances, but a few shots on the goal dropped short. With Niamh reducing the gap to a point, Ferrybank couldn’t grab a late point to get a share of the spoils. This was a tough on the team, and gave it their all on the day, and no doubt will have learned a lot from this game.
PANEL: Amy Boden, Siobhan Heffernan, Alice Hutchison, Aisling Heffernan, Deirdre Heffernan, Helen Connolly, Iona Heffernan (1-00), Orla O' Neill (0-03), Grainne Heffernan, Eimear Larkin, Niamh Ahearne (0-02), Claire Smith Baldwin, Roisin Oates, Chloe Laffen, Valerie O' Brien (1-05).
