Memorable U14 success for talented Delvin side

Delvin 0-11, Raharney 1-4

By Darragh Fallon

Delvin's ability to keep the scoreboard ticking over stood to them as they racked up 11 points to secure the Under 14 Division 1 hurling final.

Clonkill was the venue on Saturday morning and despite dull and chilly conditions both Delvin and Raharney brought good support for their teams in a tense but enjoyable game.

Delvin were never behind on the day and produced a performance full of running and quality to overcome a spirited Raharney.

From the moment referee Robert Dillon threw the ball in for the start Delvin were quick to show their intent.

Senan Kelly and Robbie Neville combined before Neville glanced his shot wide in the opening seconds. In a late change to the programme, Paddy Cassidy started the game and was quickly involved when Tiernan Greville found him in space to open the scoring with a neat score in the second minute. In the fifth minute of the lively contest, Raharney fought back and following a wide from a free opened their scoring with a lovely Nathan Walsh point after a period of great pressure.

Delvin rose to the challenge and in the ninth minute went back into the lead, one they would retain until the final whistle.

The next score came following a run by Senan Kelly whose pass found Eoin Clune who finished well over the bar. A minute later Clune was the provider when he picked out his wing forward colleague Dara Fallon who furthered the Delvin advantage.

At this stage the running game of Delvin was in full flow with Senan Kelly and Eoin Clune finding space to burst into. Sean Clune was next for Delvin to find the target with a lovely free from out on the right in the 19th minute.

A minute later, Raharney goalkeeper Eoghan Heffernan was needed to keep out a Paddy Cassidy goalbound effort with a fine save. Raharney needed a score and Cillian McGee provided it with a close range free in the 25th minute.

Another huge save from Heffernan in the Raharney goal kept his side in the contest following a Paddy Cassidy strike. The first half closed out with two successful '65s, both taken by Robbie Neville to leave the half-time score: Delvin 0-6, Raharney 0-2.

In a very similar start to the first half, Delvin quickly went on the attack with Senan Kelly and Eoin Clune combining before Clune floated the ball over the Raharney bar. Raharney immediatly struck back with a super goal, James Monaghan found James Leavy with a pass and Leavy made no mistake with his finish to leave two points between the teams.

Delvin’s Robbie Neville was up to the challenge and fired over another '65' for his side. Neville’s accuracy from the 65m line was noticeable and provided three points over the course of the game. In the seventh minute of the second half Paddy Cassidy popped up for Delvin with a lovely score from play before Eoghan Heffernan was again called into action and produced another top save from Eoin Clune. Sean Clune then furthered the Delvin advantage with a close range free in the ninth minute.

Sean Clune was again to find his range with a clinical point from play in the twelfth minute following great work from Dara Fallon.

Three minutes later Heffernan pulled off another fine save from a Paddy Cassidy strike before some tactical changes were employed by both teams.

Jaidyn Sutton moved up into the half forward line and made an impact for Raharney by winning a free which was pointed by Cillian McGee with twelve minutes remaining.

A further two minutes later, Cillian McGee found the target with another free following a foul on James Leavy. There was no further score in the final ten minutes, though there was still plenty of hurling.

Delvin repelled the Raharney attacks in the course of the end period with Cathal Clune in particular winning a number of challenges and driving his team forward. Following some injury time, with multiple players introduced as the end of the game approached, Robert Dillon blew the final whistle and Delvin ran out deserving winners.

Scorers – Delvin – Robbie Neville 0-3 (3 ’65), Sean Clune 0-3 (0-2 fr), Paddy Cassidy 0-2, Eoin Clune 0-2, Dara Fallon 0-1.

Raharney – James Leavy 1-0, Cillian McGee 0-3 (0-3 fr), Nathan Walsh 0-1.

Delvin – Cian Carroll, Conall Goss, Cathal Clune (c), Cillian Fitzgerald, Kyle Ivory, Tiernan Greville, Joseph Cassidy, Darragh Harte, Senan Kelly, Eoin Clune, Robbie Neville, Dara Fallon, Paddy Cassidy, Vinny Murray, Sean Clune. Subs introduced Ben Horan for Cillian Fitzgerald, Tadhg Poynton for Senan Kelly, James Farrelly for Joseph Cassidy.

Raharney – Eoghan Heffernan, Jaidyn Sutton, Padraig Higgins, Padraic Morley, Josh Carey, James Monaghan, Noah O’Brien, Nathan Walsh, Sean Og Mallon, Michael Stockil, Cillian McGee (c), Patrick Sheerin, Robert Rowley, James Leavy, Caleb Mooney. Subs introduced Conor Dixon for Patrick Sheerin.

Referee – Robert Dillon