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Weekly Notes - 22nd March 2006Arriving a bitín late, some say it is pathological – a Lenten resolution to counter this tendency "was broke ere yet the words wherewith it was formulated were uttered" (ref. Treaty of Limerick) but, nil desperandum, we’ll keep trying and pigs may fly – for the minor hurling match versus Carnew the sight that first met the eye was that of Craig Smullen on one of his exciting solos. A skill vignette to be seen wherever the game of hurling is played but always executed in a style unique to each player and Craig’s is indeed of himself.To think that this was his third game of the weekend! Where does he get his energy? I doubt that it is from that widely advertised ginseng-containing product. Á propos, someone has said that ‘burnout’ comes not so much from playing lots of games but rather from the combination of games and training. A thought? Thereafter a contest unfolded that so fully engaged the spectators that they were almost unmindful of the biting wind and its chill factor. The play between two unyielding sides while being of nerve-tingling intensity never crossed the boundaries of good sportsmanship. All in all, to quote the post match comment of a Carnew mentor, "that was a great game of hurling out there". Their two goal defeat in no way did justice to a truly valiant Éire Óg effort against a Carnew team that were champions at u-16. Each É.Óg player a-field played his part in this gutsy performance and one is loathe to name names. However one was particularly struck by the majestic clearances of Fintan Donnelly, the nonchalantly skilful hurling of Leon Browne , the ‘thou shalt not pass’ defending of Scott Smullen and the delicate touches of Paul Sutton that had him gaining possession in tightly-crowded situations. Daniel O’Connor, Paul Gaskin, Leon Hargan and Phelim Byrne were also prominent. Reader: You’ve named nearly the whole team at this stage! Columnist: Not at all surprising. Didn’t I tell you that the team to a man played well? What pleasant ‘divarsion’ is to be found in the fields of Éire Óg! This week it was the ladies’ turn to distract us. A goodly company of affable spectators were on hand to enjoy their joust with Baltinglass in the Junior League. É.Óg won and in the process notched up a score of 4-12. Formidable in any instance but particularly so against a team such as Baltinglass. This was our ladies’ most complete performance to date. They combined very well, were deft in their touch in tight situations and showed commendable intelligence in their off-the-ball running. Some of their score-taking, particularly of points, was superb. They were, however, slow to get going and struggled to keep their nose in front in the first half. A well-taken goal by Lesley-Ann Long soon after the break settled the nerves and gave our ladies the confidence to play a more expansive game in which, on the day, they were clearly superior. The clearances of the half-back line, which was excellent in both defence and offence, were channelled through an all-action midfield to the hard working half-forwards. The displays of Kellie Ryder, Emily Hanney, Lorna Fusciardi and Jenny Groome in particular caught the attention. Scorers: Laurie Ahern (2-2), Caoilfhionn Deeney (1-4), Lesley-Ann Long (1-0), Tracey O’Halloran (0-5), Kellie Ryder (0-1), Niamh Kelly (0-1). On Saturday our Intermediates are away to Carnew at 4pm and our Minor hurlers are at home to Michael Dwyers on Sunday at 11am. |
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