The Ógs entered 2 teams in to the annual P5 tournament. Our A team progressed to the Shield final only to be beaten in the last minute by a point, while our B team came third in their section. Over all another positive day for the Ógs with the club once again demonstrating that in a competition with 27 teams representing the biggest clubs in the County we are improving rapidly at juvenile level and will be a force to reckon with in years to come. Thanks are also due to the large number of parents who stayed and supported the kids all day.
A Team
Team: Jamie Loughran, Mattie Keenan, Chris Murphy, Chris Harrison, Dermot Murray, Aidan McGarrity, Steven Carson, Michael McCamley, Paul Smith, Hugh Doran, Daniel Lavery, Nathaniel Daye
Eire Óg 1-3 Lisburn 1-3
Our first match which we should have won. Early scores from Steven Carson and Paul Smith helped the Ógs take the lead at half time. However lack of concentration and poor marking in the second half let Lisburn back into the game and snatch a draw.
Eire Óg 2-6 Rossa 2-0
The Ógs dominated this game, in particular Steven Carson in midfield and Dermot Murray in defence. With Paul Smith and Hugh Doran taking some fine scores the Ógs strolled to a comfortable victory.
Eire Óg 0-3 GortnaMona 2-1
The Ógs failed to make their mark in this game against a much more mobile Gort Na Mona team. Despite the best efforts of Chris Murphy in defence and Aidan McGarrity in midfield the Ógs were unable to claw back two early goals.
Shield Quarter Final
Eire Óg 2-4 O’Donnells 1-3
Despite losing an early goal, the Ógs played very well in this exciting quarter final. With Chris Murphy and Mattie Keenan again outstanding in defence, the Ógs were able to keep the O’Donnells goal under tremendous pressure. Paul Smith and Hugh Doran took some fine scores and helped the Ógs run out convincing winners.
Shield Semi Final
Eire Óg 1 –5 Davitts 1-1
In a hard fought contest against a spirited Davitts team the Ogs played their best football of the competition. Chris Harrison and Daniel Lavery combined well in attack to pick off some superb scores, while in midfield Michael McCamley was outstanding. While the Ógs dominated the game some careless marking at the back let Davitts in for a goal, while only for an excellent penalty save by Jamie Loughran kept the Ógs from facing a nail biting finish.
Shield Final
Eire Óg 2-4 Lámh Dhearg 2-5
Heartbreak for the Ógs in the final. A point in the last minute robbed them of a victory in a fast flowing game of football which neutral observers say they richly deserved. An early score from Hugh Doran helped settle the Ógs' nerves and they played some excellent passing football with Dermot Murray and Chris Murphy dominating defence and acting as the springboard for many attacks. With Aidan McGarrity and Steve Carson in midfield giving early ball to the Paul Smith and Nathaniel Daye in full forward, only some poor shooting prevented the Ógs from racking up a lot of scores. At half time with the wind behind them the Ógs had a 1-2 to 0-1 advantage.
The Lamhs however came back strongly and used the wind to good effect and registered an early goal and a point. Then heartbreak for the Ógs as a penalty was conceded. This was quickly taken but saved excellently by Chris Harrison. However for some unknown reason and to the anger of the Ógs the referee ruled that it had to be taken again. Unfortunately this time the Lamhs put in the net. 2 points down the Ógs responded superbly and a well worked move saw Aidan McGarrity finish the ball to the back of the net. Lámh Dhearg looked dead and buried but again with the wind a huge advantage came back however with a point from a free and just as it seemed we were destined for extra time the fee was conceded and the Lams took the Shield. Heartbreak for the young Ógs who had played extremely well.
Eire Óg Player of the Tournament: CHRIS MURPHY
Indoor Hurling Tournament
