Féile na nGael an Dúin 2015
Division 2 winners
Newry Shamrocks 1-1
Castlewellan 2-2
In a windswept Ballygalget our u14 hurling team ended a long wait for Féile success when they overcame a hotly tipped Shamrocks team in an exciting division 2 final on Saturday. With both teams going into this final having not conceded any goals against CPN and Bredagh this had the makings of a mouth-watering duel, with the Newry lads being slight favourites having freshly crowned county skill stars champion Sean Campbell and fresh from a six point win against Ballycran in division one of the county league. Our lads failed to read the script and facing a stiff breeze in the first 15 minutes they gave their all. From the start of the game Shamrocks pressed the Castlewellan backline and had managed to work the ball down field, drawing the lads into conceding frees, but each time young Campbell stepped up to take the free it drifted narrowly to the left and wide. Eventually an attack did provide a score when the sliotar arrived in the hands of Luke O’Neill who made know mistake as he drilled it to the back of the net, which was followed up by a point form Sean Campbell to leave the Newry lads up by a goal and a point at half time.
When the sides swapped ends it was now Castlewellan who came out at the start of the second half with the determination to bring a long draught of Féile success to an end, battling and harrying for every sliotar as Shamrocks tried to push on and cement their first half lead and put their opponents out of sight.
Unfortunately for Newry a great pick and drive by Eoin McCrickard was finished superbly and as the sliotar rattled the back of the net the greens sensed that they could pull the rug from under their favoured opposition. Within a minute Matthew McCabe had the side’s level with a well taken point and as full time was fast approaching, it looked like extra time was on the cards, when Shamrocks conceded what looked to be a rather harmless free about 50m from goal. Up stepped Eoin to take the free, his strike was high and looked to be under control by the Shamrocks defence and going nowhere, but the flight of the sliotar deceived the Shamrocks keeper and into the net it dropped for a Castlewellan lead. Another pointed free from Eoin and the game was won.
As the referee blew for full time the scenes of celebration form the Castlewellan contingent is something the ‘town has not seen for quite some time. Well done to all the lads from the town with help of a group of four Liatroim fontenoys who certainly played their part. This win augurs well for the future of the camán code in both clubs. Thanks to the parents who provided support and transport and to Ballygalget for their hospitality.
Míceál Mc Veigh, Tom O’Neill,Morgan Croskery, Stephen Gallagher, Ciaran Branniff, Eoin Mc Crickard(2-5), Lorcan Cairns, Joe O Boyle, Mark Owens, Callum Mc Cabe, Eoin King(0-2), Paul Flynn, Sean Barr(2 Goals), Matthew Mc Cabe (2-7), Padraig King, Eoin Cotter, Dara Rodgers(0-1), Ruairi King, Reece Hammond.
