U12 Draco Cup and Shield Hurling Tournament
Date: 25th October 2014
Venue: Musgrave Park
Thanks to Darren for compiling the report.
Brid Og hurling team resurrected the Draco Cup for an U12 blitz at Musgrave Park. This trophy had been in our possession for several years and it was decided by the mentors to organise an U12 tournament due to the remarkable year we have had at this age group this season.
The clubs competing were Brid Og, South West Antrim sides Saint Enda’s and Sean Stinsons, North Antrim side Ruairi Og’s Cushendall, County Down side Ballygalget and Armagh side Keady.
The preliminary structure of the tournament was a league format containing 2 groups of 3 teams with the top 2 teams in each group competing in the Cup semi final and the third placed teams contesting the Draco shield. Each team drew a number before the games began and this was the way the groups were selected. Cushendall, Keady and Saint Enda’s were drawn in Group A with Ballygalget, Sean Stinsons and ourselves competing in Group B.
Group B’s first game was contested between Sean Stinsons and Ballygalget and the SW Antrim side took a narrow victory 1-0 to 0-1
The Og’s first game was against Sean Stinsons a team who had beaten us under the floodlights at their pitch several weeks ago but we were able to reverse this form with a 3:1 to 0:0 scoreline.
Our next game was against County Down side Ballygalget. We had faced this team several years ago and we knew their skill levels would be very high. Although the Og’s did take an early lead we found the Ballygalget keeper in fantastic form and they got a couple of goals to take the victory 2:0 to 1:1
After the group stages the players and mentors were lead to the bowling club for lunch and a break. When all the results were checked every team had recorded 1 Win and 1 Defeat so it went down to scores to decide who would feature in the Cup and Shield. Ruairi Og’s topped Group A and would play Ballygalget in the semi final. Brid Og topped Group B and would have to overcome Keady to get to the final. The teams playing in the shield final were Sean Stinsons and Saint Enda’s.
There is a bit of history between Brid Og and Keady and these games are always keenly contested. Again the Og’s got off to a flier and got several goals but Keady came back with scores of their own. After a very nervous period in the game were no team could get control of the sliotar we began to do the basics well and this composure lead to several scores to get the victory and seal our place in the final.
On the other pitch Ballygalget had beaten Ruairi Og’s to set up a replay of our early game. The players were told that we had seen enough from our performance in the first game to know we had a chance to retain this trophy but they had to believe they could do it. Similar to the first game the Og’s took a 1:2 to 0:0 lead in at half time but Paddy’s team talk at must have worked as they got the same amount of scores to level game. Ballygalget at this stage were showing their best form in the final but a great save from Joe and several pin point blocks and hooks from Shane, Brian, Sean and Toirealach give our players the confidence and we got two late scores from Connla and Brendan to win the final on a scoreline of 1:4 to 1:2 with the final whistle initiating a pitch invasion from the sideline to herald our great victory. Joint Captains Connla and Shane then received the Draco Cup from a proud mother Caroline to the delight of the home support.
Thanks
Tournaments like today take a lot of organising and there was great teamwork both on and off the pitch. Firstly I would like to thank Caroline, Gerard, Marie, Nuala, Tara, Una McC and Una McG for putting together an excellent lunch for the players and mentors. Thanks also to all the parents who provided sandwiches and snacks. Thanks to the bowling for letting us use their facilities today for lunch. Thanks to our referees John D and Oliver who had faultless displays in the middle. Thanks to Gerard and John R for helping with the team and Ciaran, Frank, Seamus, Gavin and Gerry for umpiring and helping with the blitz. Special mention also to Gavin who supplied the shield and medals for the tournament.
Next I would like to thank Dessie, JJ, both Paddy’s and Phil for travelling to this tournament and congratulations to Sean Stinsons on winning the Shield. I hope this helps with the disappointment of losing the North Antrim B Championship last week. Ballygalget’s goal keeper was named player of the tournament but I think Joe in nets pulled off the save of the day when we needed him. Finally well done to our players who played some excellent hurling today against some of the best hurling teams in Ulster. All 20 players contributed to this victory today and the future is bright for this bunch of talented players.
Brid Og Abu
Panel
Andrew, Brendan, Brian, Connla, David, Diarmaid, Dylan, Fintan, Gerard, Jack, Joe, JP, Luke, Niall,Oisin, Paudraig, Pearse, Sean, Shane, Toirealach
Brid Og team – winners of Draco Cup at Musgrave on 25th October 2014
More pictures in gallery.
Player of the final award went to John Fisher of Ballygalget GAC
