BUNCLODY
Tuesday August 31 2010
HWH UNDERAGE GAA: HWH/Bunclody's Under 8 hurlers took part in a fantastic competition run by Naomh Éanna, Gorey on Saturday last, 28th August. A panel of 22 players and a four strong management team together with supporters left from Bunclody early Saturday morning.
After been shown to our changing area, it was soon time for the parade around the grounds. Led by Cathal Sweeney carrying our flag we paraded behind an uileann piper with the other teams.
The twenty teams competing included famous names like Kilmacud Crokes, Mount Sion and Clara form Kilkenny.
We were soon into action and although we were down a couple of key players through holiday commitments we beat our first two opponents, Kilrush/ Askamore and Mount Leinster Rangers. We were then unlucky to lose out to Gorey by a single goal and Naas from Kildare by a similar margin.
Still, we had done enough to progress from our group and into the semi final of the Bill Cullen cup.
Unfortunately, by this stage we had lost one of our stalwarts, Paddy Connors , through injury and Craig Chamney was playing through the pain barrier after suffering a knock.
We were pitted against Ferns in the semi final and took a single goal lead into the second half. Ferns got an equaliser and the match ended all square. We were then into "sudden death". A dubious refereeing decision gave Ferns a free which they duly put over the bar to end our final aspirations.
The lads were all very disappointed to lose in such a manner, however, they all got medals for progressing through their group which was some consolation.
All our players saw action during the day. The panel was Stuart Power, Cathal Sweeney, Tommy Atkinson, Derry Mahon, James Black, Eoin Handrick, Mylie Connors, Ciarán Regan, Paddy Connors, Jerry Connors, Paraic Nolan, Paddy Connors, Oisín Kelly, John Connors, Robert Black, Cillian Dunbar, Craig Chamney, Ben Power, Ben Martin, Nathan Duke, Faoláin Kelly and Kyle Plunkett.
The management team were Michael Dunbar, Bartley Regan, Bill "Cody" Connors and Micheál Mahon.
We weren't far off the mark and the eventual premier champions Gorey, who beat Kilmacud in the final only beat our lads by one goal. We like to think if we had our full squad we would have been right up there.
We have next Saturday, 4th September, to put it right in football when Gorey host a similar competition.
Our thanks to Naomh Éanna for organising this brilliant event and we would welcome any support in Gorey next Saturday. Hall, Clonegal, It is open to new members and all are welcome.
