U12 Hurling League Final – Darver 24th September, 2019.

St Fechins 0-11 Knockbridge 2-3.

After massive disappointment on the hurling front over the weekend with losses in the finals of the McCreesh, u16 and Senior Championship, St Fechins u12 hurlers lifted the spirits of the club with a hard fought victory over rivals Knockbridge. Both teams had also locked horns at the start of the month when Knockbridge were victorious in the O’Broin. This disappointment along with the McCressh was a huge motivating factor for the team as they set out to become the inaugural winners of the u12 hurling league.

From the throw in both teams played with high intensity and skill with no quarter given in every exchange and any score was going to be well earned. St Fechins got the opening two scores with Cathal Mulholland knocking over a free and a point from play. Similar to the O’Broin, midway through the first half, Knockbridge got two goals in quick succession.  However that’s where the similarity ended as St Fechins in the final 10 minutes reduced the deficit with well taken points from Darragh O’Gorman and Adam McCabe and two placed balls from Cathal Mulholland to leave the teams level at half time on a scoreline St Fechins 0-6 Knockbridge 2-0. Despite leaking the two goals, St. Fechins defence tightened up considerably with Michael McGlew and Rory Dunne winning their individual battles and launching the platform for the St Fechins forwards to get the vital scores in overcoming the initial deficit.

Those final 10 minutes proved to be the platform for the team in the second half as they continued to dominate. The game flowed from end to end but heroic defending by captain Cathal Moynagh, Cameron McGuigan, Sean McLeer and Andrew McCarthy kept the Knockbridge attack at bay. The St Fechins forwards with Aaron Reilly, Darragh O’Gorman and Adam McCabe working tirelessly and earned three hard earned frees that were duly dispatched. James Cooney was unlucky not to get a goal with a rasping shot that was well saved by the Knockbridge goalie. Knockbridge replied with two frees and a point from play that left the teams level with five minutes remaining. It was in this period where St. Fechins showed their mettle with Andrew O’Reilly leading to the fore launching three successive attacks which resulted in points from play and a point from a free. That was to be the difference between the teams with St Fechins on a score of 0-11 points to Knockbridge’s 2-3. The final whistle saw the subs Paidi Rafferty, Ciaran and Cormac Reynolds, Ray McManus run onto the pitch and congratulate their team mates along with the St Fechins supporters in attendance.

Coiste Iomana vice chair, Mr. Stephen Matthews presented the cup to Cathal Moynagh who accepted it on behalf of his team mates. In his speech he congratulated all the players, officials and the Knockbridge team on a brilliant game of hurling that was enjoyed by all those present.

Team: Andrew McCarthy, Michael McGlew, Andrew O’Reilly, Rory Dunne, Cathal Moynagh, Cameron McGuigan, Cathal Mulholland, Adam McCabe, Darragh O’Gorman, Sean McLeer, Aaron Reilly, James Cooney, Ray McManus, Ciaran Reynolds, Paidi Rafferty, Cormac Reynolds.