Boyne CS
Advance to All Ireland Final
Boyne CS 3-20
Our Lady and St. Patrick’s, Knock 2-12
Our senior hurlers put on a wonderful display of hurling last Sunday in Newry to earn their place in the final of the Michael Cusack All-Ireland Hurling Cup. Under the clever and disciplined guidance of the two Mr. Ryan’s, Eamonn and Aidan, the Boyne boys richly deserved this historic victory. James Murray scored the first point of the game, from a 45, and they maintained this lead throughout the whole game.
The coaches clearly had their homework done, and the tough workout that the team had in a hard-fought win in the Leinster final, proved to be a blessing in disguise.
Twenty minutes before the game started the heavens opened with a downpour of hail and sleet and while the Antrim players and coaches continued to warm-up in blizzard conditions, our team and mentors took the wise decision to remain dry in the dressing rooms. This decision helped the team’s emphatic first-half performance.
When the game began, the winter sun was out and shining into the eyes of our players, but this did not deter them from outplaying and outscoring the opposition throughout a lively and entertaining first half. Though the Antrim outfit had skilful and speedy players all over the park and a lethal marksman in the No.14 jersey, we as a team were able to answer any questions with an outstanding display of hurling and point scoring.
Mikey Cole scored two goals and two points in that first period, with James Murray, reliable as ever with his free-taking, notched up four points. The remaining three points were scored by team captain Conor Quigley from centre back. Niall McNally was performing heroically in a man-of the match display, and the brilliant forward Stefan Holzner, tormented the opposition defence every time he got the sliotar. At half-time we led 2.09 to 0.07, a leading margin of eight.
The first half was well-marshalled by referee Colin Ryan, and when both teams re-appeared for the second half, the question for most supporters was whether they could repeat the heroics of the first half. This, they did in spades, as they continued to outscore and out play the opposition, who were never quite able to get the upper hand.
We scored another goal and ten points during the second period. With fifteen minutes remaining a raft of substitutions were made by the management team.
The scoring performance of the forwards was built on the ability of the team’s defence as well as mid-fielders, Ben Holden and Josh Harris, who stamped their authority on this game from the start. One sublime point from Josh Harris during the second half underlined this young man’s potential. Niall Mc Nally ably assisted by Adam Kelly went on a scoring rampage during the second period, slotting over a total of five points from play. Calum Buckley in goal, had another outstanding performance as he continually picked out his own man with pin point deliveries.
This Boyne CS team represents various clubs from the school’s hinterland. The coaches have successfully blended the hurling talents from these clubs into a team that will represent the best of Meath under-age hurling as they take on the Munster ‘C’ Colleges Champions, Kanturk in the All-Ireland final. This game is scheduled to take place on Saturday March 21st.
Boyne CS: Calum Buckley, Robbie Ennis, Shane Clarke, Daniel Coleman, Dylan Farrell, Conor Quigley (0-1), Conor Fitzgerald, Ben Holden, Josh Harris (0-1), Adam Kelly, James Murray (0-7, 5f), Niall Mc Nally (0-6), Conor Mc Keown, Mikey Cole (3-3), Stefan Holzner (0-2) Subs: Joey Cole, Seán Mulligan, Oisín Hackett, Kevin Mulligan, Harry Cottrell, Jack Fagan, Rory Fagan, Barry Hannon Ben Mackin