Sat Jul 20 - Junior Hurling: Galway v Offaly, Providence v Seán Óg's

Offaly 3-24 Galway 3-19

It was a high scoring and unexpectedly entertaining affair between the junior  A hurlers of Galway and Offaly on an oppressive Saturday afternoon at the ICC in Canton.  Offaly just about pulled the game out of the fire in injury time.  Galway held the edge for most of the first half and hurled extremely well, with some wonderful points put over the bar.  Offaly came out in the second and visibly lifted their game both in defence and attack, and pulled out the win to maintain their winning record.  Galway fielded 6 American kids who came up through the underage ranks and each gave an excellent account of themselves.

Offaly just edged  out Galway Saturday afternoon.

Offaly were ahead by 2 points early after Gavin Walsh netted.  The man from Kilcock won a ball that was sent in high and fired on the turn off his left side into the net.  Galway soon had the goal, and the lead restored.  Cormack Kelly netted with a goal as well taken as Walsh’s.  Galway proceeded to hurl very well in their half back line, and produced some fine points from distance.  James Burke, Corey Buckley, and Ken O’Callaghan all hit the mark, while youngsters Mike Moylan, Colm O’Malley and Eoin Morissey did well as Galway opened an eight point lead. 

Offaly remained in touch and managed to rein in the deficit, reducing it to four before the break.  Ronan Coffee at corner forward and Victor Costello, who started at center back, pointed as did midfielder Brian Murray. Galway were still able to fire over the scores however, and by the time the half time whistle sounded one might have favoured the westerners and their 4 point lead to end up winners.

The second half saw Offaly turn the tables and gain parity after 8 minutes.  The level of urgency was stepped up and the Offaly men visibly lifted their game.  After two points from Murray and another from Jimmy Rigney, Robbie Croft leveled the scores and then put Offaly ahead with a point from a tight angle.  Rigney was all over the field now and winning ball in the back line and then was to be found up front. 

Galway had the Faithful County on the Ropes Early on.

Galway hit back with a Michael Lennon goal, but Offaly did not get deflated and had the teams level again following points from Ronan Coffee who started to look much more dangerous in the second period.  Cormac Kelly Put Galway ahead again, but after Victor Costello leveled with a wonderful point and was followed by a massive free from Murray inside his own half Offaly took the lead and would not fall behind again.

Rigney netted to put his side five points to the good after Walsh found him with a pass, Rigney and Coffee points had put their side in the lead.  It was Galway’s turn not to catch up, and catch up they did as the final 10 minutes was as exciting as any.  Each side picked off points, and with Offaly up six, Galway halved the deficit with a Lennon goal from an Eoin Morissey pass.   Three quick points on the trot from Burke (2) and Ken O’Callaghan saw the team level with the 30 minutes played, but it was Offaly who won the critical ball in the final stages.  Two Murray frees, followed by a goal with the final puck of the game from Coffee saw the faithful county to the victory and a hard earned 2 points.

Offaly:  Simon Sinnott, Oisin McCormack, Denis Harrington, Chris McMahon, Victor Costello, Emmet Moran, Killian Campbell, Brian Murray, Jimmy Rigney, Robbie Croft, Sean Whitley, Gavin Walsh, Ronan Coffee.  Subs: Sean Kinsella, Mickey Markham.

Galway:  Aidan Joyce, Greg Lundy, Pat Moylan, Colm O’Malley, James Burke, Sean Melville, Ken O’Callaghan, Michael Moylan, Eoin Morissey, Corey Buckley, Cormac Kelly, Stephen Potter, Michael Lennon.  Sub; Aidan O’Malley.

Junior C Hurling

Seán Óg’s 4-13 Providence HC 1-3

Colm O'Malley on the ball.

In their maiden season, the Seán Óg’s hurlers are impressing in the junior C championship.  The youth program graduates recorded another win, this one against Providece Hurling Club on Saturday afternoon at the ICC in Canton.  The result sets up a big game between the young Americans and last season’s champions, the New Hampshire Wolves, for a tie for top spot in the table and a possible automatic place in the final.

In the first half Steven Joyce and Eoin Morissey netted, while there were some impressively taken points by Michael Moylan, Jack Martyn, and Dylan Coyne.  Providence got themselves on the scoreboard with a goal from Mike Walsh, while Arlow Heimer-Bumstead popped over a nice point, with Jimmy Glendenning and Matt Parks adding to the tally.  

By Rory O'Donnell

Sat Aug 18 - Junior C Hurling Semi-Final: NH Wolves v Providence HC

NH Wolves 3-16 Providence HC 1-2

The NH Wolves earned a place in next week’s junior C hurling final with a solid display against Providence in the Junior C Hurling semi-final.  A goal in each half from Mikael Gregoire and some good combination play from the back saw the Wolves through to the win.

The Wolve's Jason Burpee shoots.

The first half belonged to the Wolves.  Displaying a level of skill and connectedness that comes with years of practice and playing together, the men from the Granite state steadily built up a sizeable lead.  Corner forwards Jason Burpee and Mike Gregoire got on the scoreboard early, Gregoire putting one score over from a very tight angle.  Along with Sam Durfee in the half forward line, it was all Wolves.  




The Providence back line were busy and Travis Croker, Martin Green and Mike Walsh did well to stem several Wolves attacks.

About 20 minutes into the half it was an eight point to no score lead, and Providence mounted a promising attack that had goal possibilities, however the ball was cleared and the goal came at the other end with a nice finish by Burpee.  Providence’s efforts showed a little more bite in the latter stages of the half, and a goal came from Corey Diamond after two brave saves from Will Mullen in the NH goal.  At the break it was a 10 point lead for the men from New Hampshire.

Juston Stasz Clears Under Pressure.

Providence gave a better account of themselves in the second half and made the Wolves back line work, Austen Clarke popped over a nicely taken point and the Providence men threatened the Wolves goal on a couple of occasions but could not breach the wall.  Gregoire and Sean Naughton each pointed a brace to extend the lead for the New Hampshire side, and the result was never in doubt.  As a heavy rainstorm set in it was the Wolves who would be coming back next week to meet defending champions Worcester in the final.

Wolves:  Will Mullen, Alec Foley, Jay Abramowicz, Ryan Nickerson, Juston Stasz, Sean Naughton, Dan Hanna, Mark Misiarski, Sam Durfee, Pat Naughton, Mikhael Gregoire, Jason Burpee.

Providence:  Brendan McGinn, Mike Walsh, Chris Ryan, Matt Parks, Travis Croker, Martin Green, Austen Clark, Jimmy Glendinning, Adrian Ganley, Mike Kenneally, Padraig Doyle, Brian McNamara, Corey Diamond.

By Rory O'Donnell