The Loughcrew Gaels Gaeil Colmcille players celebrate after their victory over Clann na nGael.

Loughcrew Gaels Gaeil Colmcille use calm conditions to land u-21 title

Published: Fri 13 Dec 2024, 10:19 AM

Last updated: Fri 13 Dec 2024, 10:20 AM

Loughcrew Geals Gaeil Colmcille... 0-13

Clann na nGeal...1-8

Tom Gilsenan

What a way to end the year. The amalgamation of Loughcrew Gaels Gaeil Colmcille showed they had the right stuff to claim the u-21 Div 1 HC B title when they defeated Clann na nGael in a close, engaging contest last weekend.

Considering the storms across the country, it was a relatively calm Sunday morning in Kildalkey, playing on the back pitch which held up very well with the rain that had fallen over the previous 48 hours.

This was set to be an intriguing tie between two teams who hadn’t met recently and were both progressing well following wins in their previous respective fixtures between Ratoath and Kildalkey respectively. With pace and firepower up front both teams must have fancied their chances going into this final.

Once the game got going you knew there wouldn’t be much between the two sides both worked hard to win ball on the ground with rucks playing a big part and whoever came out on top of that part was likely to come out as eventual winners.

Loughcrew Geals Gaeil Colmcille were first onto the score sheet through one of the players of the match Fergal Flynn with a well take point from play.

Clann na nGael replied with two frees from Joe Ennis, Andrew Gormely levelled with a free and then an opportunist goal from Clann na nGael l as Loughcrew Gaels Gaeil Colmcille failed to clear the ball from the square probably blinded by the low sun as it trickled into the net. Clann na nGeal followed up with a point from play at the end of the first quarter giving them a decent four-point cushion on a day when scores were hard to come by.

The second quarter was all about Loughcrew Gaels Gaeil Colmcille they sensed nothing was going to come easy, so they got to work spear-headed by the majestic Daire Shine who really showed why he’s young hurler of the year for Meath in 2024.

He dominated the half back line making the ugly stuff look pretty, this frustrated the opposition to the point where fouling was the only option.

Three consecutive frees from distance and a classy point from Flynn reclaimed the four-point deficit leaving the sides level at the interval.

Loughcrew Gaels Gaeil Colmcille started the second half as they left off, taking their own lead to three points following two frees from Gormely and then Darren O’Higgins who was always a goal threat deciding wisely to take his points and take control of this encounter. Clann na nGael never went away as the frees mounted for both sides and no quarter given.

Things got heated at times without ever boiling over with kept us guessing on the final outcome as another goal from Clann na nGael and they would be right back in it.

A close-range injury time free for Clann na nGael blasted into the box with bodies everywhere only for one man to come out with the ball - Daire Shine. Time up!!!

Loughcrew Geals Gaeil Colmcille to be fair, always looked like they had that bit more composure on the line which fed onto the pitch trusting the fifteen to see themselves over the line.

All six backs and goalie for Loughcrew Gaels Gaeil Colmcille worked like dogs, take away the goal and only conceding three points from play you will take that all day. Gormely and captain Briody in midfield ran themselves into the ground and the six forwards once they got to the pace of the game and what was required of them they manfully stood up to the challenge.

This group of lads have spearheaded the underage wave since 2006 since the amalgamation at underage when they started hurling at u-6 level.

They are representing their respective clubs at the highest level in the county and there has to be a lot to be said for that achievement.

Loughcrew Gaels Gaeil Colmcille

1. Conal McGovern

2. Conor Rennicks

3. Rian Early

4. Tadhg Dardis

5. Eoin Flynn

6. Daire Shine (0-3 (3f))

7. Hughie Corcoran

8. Eoin Briody (Captain)

9. John Gormley