Buncrana u16 hurlers secured the League and Championship double after a very convincing win over St Eunans from Letterkenny, on Thursday last.The game was played in ideal conditions in Hiberian park Burt, nerves seemed to get the better of the Scarvey boys with the Cathedral town side getting the first score of the match and in fact in the first 10 mins looked like that they were going to cause a threat, But up Stepped captain Dylan Duffy to raise the white flag with no less than 6 points from play and frees in the first half, but it was the potency in front of goal of Niall o Doherty that will have pleased management most in the first half, having lining out at left half forward Niall moved in after 10 mins to edge of the square, the first of his goals was scrambled over the line after a fine pass from Gabhan Kelly who then had to leave the field with a serious knee injury.Nialls second goal was a different story a fierce strike to the top right hand corner from a very narrow angle, this set the tempo for the rest of the game Ben Doherty and Pj mc Carron started to dominate midfield, at the back Fiachra mac Lochlainn was solid throughout and in the Centre half back position Paul Tourish was his stylish best with high fielding and long accurate pucks were the building block of many attacks, further points from Ben and Dylan and Niall with a point and his hatrick goal, sent Buncrana in at half time 3:9 to 0:3 with all st Eunans points coming from Ryan Hilferty.
The game was now over as a contest and from the throw in of the second half Buncrana added with ease to the scoreline,early scores from Paul,PJ, Dylan and Oisin Grant who was his usual industrious self chipping in with some fine scores from play, the defence were seldom troubled but any attacks were sniffed out.Jason Campbell dealt with ease any Black and Amber attacks, Oisin Hegarty, Mathew Wilson, John Vaughan and Oisin (roe) Doherty were excellent throughout and can be pleased with there efforts,holding Eunans scoreless in the second half, the aforementioned Paul and Fiachra were relentless all through the game and gave an exhibition of how hurling should be played.from midfield, Paul also scored a point from a sideline cut from the 40 yard’s out.simply sublime. Up front they were all on fire Niall,Ben,Pj Oisin and Dylan were ably supported by the hard working Darren Connolly, Jack Callaghan and Mark Craig. Final Score 4:24 to 0:3
As the match went on the subs got a chance to shine none more so than the young guns of Cathal og Wilson and Liam o Doherty and Finn mc Laughlin, with Cathal og getting himself a fine goal and a point in the process.
Team and scorers.Jason Campbell,Mathew Wilson,Fiachra mac Lochlainn,Oisin Hegarty,John Vaughan,Pjmc Carron (0:1),Oisin (roe) Doherty,Paul Tourish (0:4), Ben Doherty (0:4) Oisin Grant(0:3),Niall O Doherty(3:3) Darren Connolly,Dylan Duffy (0:8) ,Gabhan Kelly,Jack Callaghan.subs Mark Craig,Cathal og Wilson(1:1),Liam O Doherty,Finn mc Laughlin,Ryan Hegarty,Arran Craig.
A player to mention who missed the match through injury was Arran Craig who was having the hurling year of his life with some great performances to date, he missed the game because of a back injury he received playing club football on Monday.
This team proved in the course of the year to date to be just to strong for all the teams at this age group in Donegal and can also hold there own with County Derry teams were they also sit joint top of their league, they get on as a group and this is evident in the way they try and get younger players in the team on the ball as much as possible, they are easy managed and are a credit to all, in the starting 15 on the night 13 represented their county this year ,5 were selected to play for Ulster, we will regroup and try and build on this, most of the older players will be involved with Tom Clare and the rest of the Minor hurling squad that will take the field in the Ulster minor hurling club championship later in the year.
The management would also like to wish Gabhan Kelly a speedy recovery form injury.
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Sun 4th Oct
