Match Reports

U21 South Final 2014

14/12/2014
DUNAMAGGAN WIN U 21 TITLE: The Dunamaggan U 21 Hurling team emerged victorious over Graignamanagh in the Southern Final in Thomastown on Sunday. While Dunamaggan were on top in the opening quarter they failed to register a single score while the opposition scored 3 good points in the opening seven minutes. Having hit eight wides Dunamaggan finally got on the score sheet in the 18th minute through a John Fitzpatrick point. Anthony Kearney followed this up with a point two minutes later to reduce the defecate to two points as Lee Kinsella pointed just before his score for Graigue. Lee Kinsella in the 22nd minute scored a very well worked goal for Graigue which was followed immediately by a Michael Bolger point which stretched the Graigue lead to six points. Michael Cody reduced the deficit to 1 – 5 to 0 – 3 at the interval.
The introduction of Peter Kenneally for Jason Doherty added significant strength to the Dunamaggan forward division in the second half. Yet with 15 minutes remaining the score stood at 1 – 7 to 0 – 7 in favour of Graigue. The more determined Dunamaggan team had not yet reaped the rewards of their dominance in the mid-field area which resulted from the switch of Victor Costello to mid field and Michael Cody to the half forwards. Also Eoghan Kearney was dominant at centre back ably assisted by Paul Kirwan and Andrew Fitzpatrick. Then the breakthrough came when in the 50th minute Ronan Coffey scored a great goal for Dunamaggan to give them a one point lead for the first time in the game. It was a lead that galvanized the Dunamaggan team into heroic and never say die hurling for the final 10 minutes. Even though Lee Kinsella levelled the game in the 53rd minute points from Anthony Kearney and a free from John Fitzpatrick saw Dunamaggan home on a score of 1 – 10 to 1 – 08. It was a game in which the wides tally for Dunamaggan almost reached the 20 mark. Both sides had missed chances from placed balls with Graigue willing this contest by 4 to 3. Next Sunday the Co. Final rivals will be Emeralds. Dunamaggan will need to improve immensely on their showing of Sunday, especially in their shooting if they are to achieve a victory. While the team has the ability to win only total commitment from the start will give them the victory they desire.
Team: Andrew O’Dwyer, Conor Long, William Moylan, Aaron Doherty, Paul Kirwan, Eoghan Kearney, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Patrick Delaney, Michael Cody, John Fitzpatrick, Ronan Coffey, Adam Kenneally, Jason Doherty, Anthony Kearney, Victor Costello. Subs; Peter Kenneally for J. Doherty at half time, Jack Brett, William Bergin, Greg O’Donnell and Brian Farrell.