Our U14 Hurlers were in action in the A championship final on Sunday in Clareabbey - Despite the heavy overnight rain the pitch was in immaculate condition and the sun broke through just in time to ensure perfect conditions for this final between the 'Bridge and Ballyea. Scores were hard to come by in the opening quarter but things settled eventually and the Bridge rattled off points from Liam Mulready (2 Frees) and Matthew Murphy to gain the upperhand before Ballyea responded with a Goal. Mulready again with a fine individual effort from play along with white flags from Caelan Hales and Noah Conneely had the Bridge in control as Ballyea had only their second score in the half with a pointed free.
Half Time: SMB 0-06 Ballyea 1-01
As the old saying goes - it was a game of 2 halves as Ballyea rattled off 5 unanswered points in the first 4 minutes following the restart and took control around the middle of the park. The Bridge scorers in the second half were Mulready with 1-2 and Hayes from play while Ballyea ran off 4-11 in the second half to run out comfortable winners.
Not to be for our boys but a lot of learnings which will no doubt strengthen the group for 2026 as they move up to U15 and look to defend the title won by their clubmates this year who incidentally loast the U134 Final also in 2024.
Team: Lorcan Benoit; James Harrison, Noah Seago O'Sullivan, Aidan Kearney; Darragh Toomey, Sean Conlon, Cillian Rafferty; Jack Monahan, Jack Fitzpatrick; Jack Reddan, Liam Mulready, Noah Conneely (0-01); Matthew Murphy (0-01), Caelan Hayes (0-02), Blake Corbett.
Subs Used: Alex Russell, Ronan Lynch, Tomás Tubridy
