Under 21's Are County Champions
Commercials 5-11 Aherlow Gaels 1-07
After 10 minutes of this county final played at Leahy Park, Cashel yesterday few in attendance would predict a 16 point winning margin for Commercials as Aherlow led by five points after a storming start. A goal and two points to the good and with Commercials struggling a real shock looked on the cards. However a goal from Ian Fahey in the 12th minute ignited the South Champions and while only a single point separated the sides at the break with commercials ahead by 1-05 to 1-04 the signs were there of a Commercials victory.
Aherlow battled bravely all day but 4 second half goals showed how dominant Commercials were as the ran out easy winners in the end. An injury to full back Liam Ryan on Saturday morning saw Cathal McGeever move to the edge of the square and with Seamus Kennedy also out due to injury the backline had a different look to it to previous games. After the shaky start the defence tightened up and got to grips with the Aherlow attack. Kevin Fahey at centre back had a tough afternoon marking the talented Mark Russell but in the end had a good afternoon . The displays of both centre field men Michael Quinlivan and Padraic Looram were central to the teams success. Quinlivan fielded brilliantly and those he didn't field he broke to team mates. Looram worked tirelessly all day and carried the ball forward to great effect. The forwards were outstanding in the second half. Ian Fahey who moved to full forward at the break caused problems. Liam Murchan was excellent and ended the game with two goals to is credit as well as a brace of points. Jason Lonergan was full of running and put in an excellent hour.
So for the 8th time in the club's history the County Under 21 title is ours. Well done to the team management. These are a special bunch of players and we congratulate them in this success.
Commercials 5-11 Aherlow Gaels 1-07
After 10 minutes of this county final played at Leahy Park, Cashel yesterday few in attendance would predict a 16 point winning margin for Commercials as Aherlow led by five points after a storming start. A goal and two points to the good and with Commercials struggling a real shock looked on the cards. However a goal from Ian Fahey in the 12th minute ignited the South Champions and while only a single point separated the sides at the break with commercials ahead by 1-05 to 1-04 the signs were there of a Commercials victory.
Aherlow battled bravely all day but 4 second half goals showed how dominant Commercials were as the ran out easy winners in the end. An injury to full back Liam Ryan on Saturday morning saw Cathal McGeever move to the edge of the square and with Seamus Kennedy also out due to injury the backline had a different look to it to previous games. After the shaky start the defence tightened up and got to grips with the Aherlow attack. Kevin Fahey at centre back had a tough afternoon marking the talented Mark Russell but in the end had a good afternoon . The displays of both centre field men Michael Quinlivan and Padraic Looram were central to the teams success. Quinlivan fielded brilliantly and those he didn't field he broke to team mates. Looram worked tirelessly all day and carried the ball forward to great effect. The forwards were outstanding in the second half. Ian Fahey who moved to full forward at the break caused problems. Liam Murchan was excellent and ended the game with two goals to is credit as well as a brace of points. Jason Lonergan was full of running and put in an excellent hour.
So for the 8th time in the club's history the County Under 21 title is ours. Well done to the team management. These are a special bunch of players and we congratulate them in this success.
Goal Scorer Liam Murchan
Under 21's Into County Final
Commercials 1-14 JK Brackens 1-05
In a solid display the under 21's were nine point winners over mid champions JK Brackens in today's county semi-final played in Gortnahoe. Facing a stiff breeze in the opening half Commercials lead by 5 points at the break. A Liam Murchan goal mid way through the half was the real difference in the sides although Commercials were playing very well in the opening 30 minutes. Not for the first time in this campaign full back Liam Ryan was rock solid with Robbie Lyons tigerish in the corner. With such play at the back and Seamus Kennedy operating well at centre back Brackens never threatened Jake McDonald's goal. Brian Walsh and Michael Quinlivan at centre field were towers of strength as county star Colin O'Riordan's influence was restricted. Liam Murchan had his best game in a while as he finished the first half with a goal and three to his credit. After Kevin Fahey opened the scoring in the 6th minute Brackens replied with two points. Dean McEnroe at half forward was Brackens' best player throughout and was their main scoring threat. Murchan's goal came from a good pass from Ian Fahey and Liam made no mistake. This gave Commercials a two point lead and they never relinquished this lead. Jason Lonergan who shipped a heavy knock early in the game had two points before the break and Paudie White got his name on the score sheet in the final move of the half.
In the second half Commercials had the breeze in their backs but when Colin O Riordan went on a marauding run towards the goal in the 9th minute he was bundled to the ground. referee Paddy Russell had a long look at the location of the foul before awarding a penalty. McEnroe stood up and dispatched to the corner of the net to reduce the margin to just two points. This could have been a real turning point but Commercials response was as swift as it was decisive as they reeled off five unanswered points to put the game beyond doubt with 13 minutes left. Brackens did battle to the end but had to give 2nd best to Commercials on this occasion in what was an impressive display from the South Champions. Congrats to all involved.
As has been documented here and elsewhere these players have had a gruelling schedule in recent weeks. Wiithout including county duties this panel have now played three games in 8 days including extra time in a south semi final. The south final was played in conditions that were an insult to both teams involved and this is not a slight on Newcastle who like us all have no influence on the weather. Some 38 hours after Martin Doyle brought that final to a close Paddy Russell threw in at Gortnahoe. Now after all that rushing and lack of flexibility from our administrators we now must wait at least 42 days until the County Final. Having tried to fathom out the logic of GAA fixtures I give up.
Commercials 1-14 JK Brackens 1-05
In a solid display the under 21's were nine point winners over mid champions JK Brackens in today's county semi-final played in Gortnahoe. Facing a stiff breeze in the opening half Commercials lead by 5 points at the break. A Liam Murchan goal mid way through the half was the real difference in the sides although Commercials were playing very well in the opening 30 minutes. Not for the first time in this campaign full back Liam Ryan was rock solid with Robbie Lyons tigerish in the corner. With such play at the back and Seamus Kennedy operating well at centre back Brackens never threatened Jake McDonald's goal. Brian Walsh and Michael Quinlivan at centre field were towers of strength as county star Colin O'Riordan's influence was restricted. Liam Murchan had his best game in a while as he finished the first half with a goal and three to his credit. After Kevin Fahey opened the scoring in the 6th minute Brackens replied with two points. Dean McEnroe at half forward was Brackens' best player throughout and was their main scoring threat. Murchan's goal came from a good pass from Ian Fahey and Liam made no mistake. This gave Commercials a two point lead and they never relinquished this lead. Jason Lonergan who shipped a heavy knock early in the game had two points before the break and Paudie White got his name on the score sheet in the final move of the half.
In the second half Commercials had the breeze in their backs but when Colin O Riordan went on a marauding run towards the goal in the 9th minute he was bundled to the ground. referee Paddy Russell had a long look at the location of the foul before awarding a penalty. McEnroe stood up and dispatched to the corner of the net to reduce the margin to just two points. This could have been a real turning point but Commercials response was as swift as it was decisive as they reeled off five unanswered points to put the game beyond doubt with 13 minutes left. Brackens did battle to the end but had to give 2nd best to Commercials on this occasion in what was an impressive display from the South Champions. Congrats to all involved.
As has been documented here and elsewhere these players have had a gruelling schedule in recent weeks. Wiithout including county duties this panel have now played three games in 8 days including extra time in a south semi final. The south final was played in conditions that were an insult to both teams involved and this is not a slight on Newcastle who like us all have no influence on the weather. Some 38 hours after Martin Doyle brought that final to a close Paddy Russell threw in at Gortnahoe. Now after all that rushing and lack of flexibility from our administrators we now must wait at least 42 days until the County Final. Having tried to fathom out the logic of GAA fixtures I give up.