Our U14 hurlers this year contested the Toddie Byrne Shield (C) Féile Competition. Féile weekend began on Friday evening, with a trip to Portumna to take on the home team. Portumna edged an evenly contested game, 2-5 to 1-6. With five teams in the group all was still to play for and Tuam Stadium was the venue for all remaining Group games on Saturday.
Portumna defeated Tuam in Saturday’s opening game. Then it was the turn of Pearses and St Thomas’s. Pearses had the upper hand of the first half leading 0-4 to 0-1 at half-time and continued to lead the second half, running out 2-7 to 1-2 winners. Portumna defeated Abbeyknockmoy in the next game.
Next up for Pearses was Tuam, and Pearses led 1-7 to 0-1 at half-time, Cian Murphy and Mark Hennelly leading the Pearses. A much better second half from Tuam seen them cut the margin back to 1, but Pearses had done enough in the first half to hold out for a second win.
Pearses were straight back into action directly after this game, against Abbeyknockmoy. Niall Moran unable to continue with a hand injury. With the breeze in the first half, Abbey looked to be well on top and led 3-2 to 1-0 at half time. Pearses goal coming from Mark Hennelly. The turnaround in the second half was remarkable. Can Murphy led the attack and it was his hat trick of goals that seen Pearses taking the lead 4-1 to 3-3 with only 3 minutes left. He went on to add two insurance points and a third win.
Despite the 100% record on Saturday, it wasn’t enough as Portumna went on to win all four of their games and qualify from the group. Most of this year’s panel are U14 again next year, so great credit must be given to them for coming so close to qualifying for the final.
Pearses: C Moran, B Kelly, N Moran, C Kelly, D Hillary, D McCabe, Robert Hynes, L Mitchell, M Hennelly, Ronan Hynes, C Murphy, Eoin Lally, P Kenny, Ethan Lally, M Donnellan, S Grady, E Cunniffe, D Roche, O Donoghue, R Fahey, P O’Neill.