Match Reports

Minor HC Final Vs Carrickshock

18/10/2013
The Dunnamaggin Minor hurlers were crowned county champions on Saturday in Callan when they came from behind to snatch victory from neighbours Carrickshock in dramatic fashion.
Dunnamaggin had the perfect start to the game when Ronan Coffey blasted over a point from play only to be followed up by an excellent point from Paul Kirwan. Dunnamaggin seemed to be getting into a great rhythm of play when Kevin Farrell, a key man for Carrickshock raced through the Dunnamaggin defence and blasted the ball to the back of Adam Kennelly’s net. This did seem to unsettle Dunnamaggin but Ray Cody who had shipped a really heavy blow in the opening minute pointed a free to bring the sides level again. Carrickshock duly replied with a point before John Fitzpatrick (who was excellent throughout) pointed from play to ensure that the whole Dunnamaggin half forward line had scored. Ray pointed another free to put a small gap between the sides. Then came one of the scores of the half when the ever solid and alert Eoghan Kearney fielded the ball on the edge of the large rectangle picked out John Fitz around midfield who fed it to the ever running Ronan Coffey who dispatched it to Roy Cullen who slipped it over the crossbar. Dunnamaggin seemed to be flying but it was however Carrickshock and the ever accurate Paddy Foran on the free’s who finished the first half stronger and pointed three times before the interval to put them infront. Half Time Dunnamaggin 0-6 Carrickshocks 1-4
Carrickshock began the second half as they left off the first and pointed nearly immediately after the restart. Ray Cody switched into the goal as he was clearly in trouble after that heavy knock in the first half to allow Adam to go full forward. Carrickshock added another two before Paul Kirwan responded with a point midway through the half. Carrickshock were doing all the hurling at this stage and it seemed like the title might be going the Shocks way but some tactic switches by the Dunnamaggin mentors of William Kearney, Eamon Kennedy and John Fitz were starting to pay dividends. Paul Kirwan was moved to full back to allow Eoghan further up the field and Ronan Coffey switched into centre forward. John Fitz pointed a free to put only two between the sides but Carrick shock immediately responded with one of their own. Luke Fitzpatrick came on for Stephen Lawlor and shortly after Ronan pointed from play again. Then came the turning point of the game when a free was lobbed into small rectangle and Captain Andrew Fitzpatrick pulled on it to the back of the net. Game on Dunnamaggin up by one. Carrickshock pilled on the pressure down Willie Bergin and Jack Bretts wing. Very little had got through so far and nothing was getting through them at this stage either. Dunnamaggin started to batton down the hatches till the final whistle but the play continued. Aaron Doherty , Michael Cody and company had ball after ball placed down on them but they continued to clear their lines. Then came the insurance score. One of the aforementioned clearances landed to John Fitzpatrick who raced across the 21yard line from right to left and cracked home the sliotar to the right corner of the net. Four points up. And that’s how it stayed Dunnamaggin 2-9 Carrickshock 1-8. The players went duly made up as their family, friends and supporters flooded onto the pitch to congratulate them on their exceptional effort. Andrew Fitzpatrick accepted the trophy on his teams behalf and after he said the customary few words in irish thanked this mentors and teammates who just never give up and kept working.
Panel:-Adam Kenneally, Ryan Thomas, , Eoghan Kearney, Jack Brett, Michael Cody, Aaron Doherty, Willie Bergin, Chris Keane, Andrew Fitzpatrick, John Fitzpatrick, Paul Kirwan, Ronan Coffey, Victor Costello, Luke Fitzpatrick, Ray Cody, Stephen Lawlor, Roy Cullen, Greg O’Donnell, Conor Fennelly, Killian Lafford, Brian Farrell, Conor Lawlor, Jamie Mcloughlin.