Under 8 Hurlers Enjoy Evening in Durrow

On Monday the 11th of September 2013, The Shamrocks Under 8 Hurlers travelled to Durrow to take part in two games against Ballinamere/Durrow. On a dry evening some great hurling was played and all of the players showed that the home practice is paying off. The two teams played very well and victories were secured in both games but with very little to spare as the hosts had a big part to play in these games.

On the first pitch there was great displays by Phelim Moran and Liam Grennan in the backs with Phelim Moran even popping up for a goal up front during the game. Darragh Rusk is showing huge potential and has definitely improved as the year has progressed playing some of his best hurling this year at the moment. Darragh Bates has also been in fine form of late and he knocked in two goals during the game to keep Shamrocks on the Front Foot. There was also very good displays by Thomas Sheerin who was involved in all of Shamrocks attacks and Daithi Guinan also played well when he emerged from goals in the second half netting his first goal of the year. Our two young girls Ava Heffernan and Katie Gleeson who have started to play there best hurling of the year put in fine performances and it is great to see them getting involved in the play. There was also huge displays by Joe Grennan who is always rock solid at the back and Patrick Mooney who has improved hugely as the year has progressed and is definitely a player to watch for the future. Eoin Meacle was the other man worthy of mention and popped up all over the field to get shamrocks going in the right direction. All in all this team played very well and pretty much dominated the game despite only winning with a few points to spare.

In the Second Game Shamrocks had a ding dong battle with the hosts. These guys most of whom are moving up to Under 10 next year are showing that they are making the move while playing some lovely hurling. David O Rourke always seems to be in the right position and Eoin Neville is popping up in every game to do some serious scoring. Alex Gleeson is proving to be an all round hurler with some fine displays recently showing off his blocking and hooking skills. Luke Guinan has been very steady at the back and is enjoying some good hurling recently and with Michael Grennan also steady at the back Shamrocks had a rock solid full back line. Jack Bates missed some of the hurling earlier in the year and despite this he has shown himself to be very capable and knows no fear when facing down the opposition. Peter Feeley who also had been away for a lot of the Summer showed that he must have had the hurl in his hand during his holidays with a fine display on the evening. Darragh Bryant is always in the thick of the action and is not holding back showing himself to be a very skillful hurler when on the ball. On this team there are also three solid hurlers who will surely be the back bone of this team next year with each of them showing that they are already up to playing at the pace of this game. Evan Monaghan shows a great eye for the ball and his long clearances helps keep the team in the right half of the pitch. Ross Healion has been progressing all year, he is never shy of a tackle and clears ball at his ease when under pressure. Sean Kenny has two more years at this grade and has shown an eye for goal all year, this young man shows a great grin when he hits the back of the net and he has been smiling for most of the year. Finally whether in goals or playing out the field Mark Daly has been very impressive this year showing a huge improvement in his skill levels since the beginning of the year.

With only one or two games left this year in the festival blitz's this team is well set up to finish the year off in style. They are a great bunch of players who have trained hard all year. Our thanks also goes to the parents of all those who attend our training sessions and bring their children to the games. Some of the lads were still on the field for a photograph a few minutes after the final whistle and these are avaiable to few in our gallery. For any parents with photographs of teh boys during the year who would like to see them up on the website you can do so by emailing them to paddyg23@gmail.com