Barryroe GAA

Ardfield NOTE FIXTURE CHANGE, 19:00PM

At last year's A.G.M, the wish was expressed that we might make an effort at getting a run in the football this year. We have 4/5 excellent prospects coming through in the 17/18 year old bracket and most, if not all, are better footballers than hurlers. We need to look after these players, but we did not know how things would pan out untill the game began.

Ardfield was a bitterly cold place  on Saturday night. The gale blew diagonally from the bottom goal and both teams struggled both with it and against. It conditions like these, the team with the power and commitment in their middle eight will almost always win.

We had the wind in the first half, but the 'Haven opened the scoring on seven minutes. Mark Crowley, Mikey Brien and Kieran Hurley, had us 3-1 ahead after 18 minutes.  A Castlehaven point was then cancelled out by Gearoid Whelton, before Barryroe were awarded a free kick some 60 yards out.  (That's about 55 metres in new money). Mark Crowley took the kick and slotted over with some yards to spare. An inspirational score, and I would think the longest range point ever scored in a Barryroe football jersey.

Kieran Hurley and a fine Kierán Griffin effort left us 8-2 up at the break.

Castlehaven now had the wind and we wondered how we would fare. This was where our middle 8/9 really earned their corn. It was not about football skills now, in these conditions, committment is everything. Clive Cahaline certainly turned the clock back tonight and he was matched on the other side by Jer Keohane. Kieran Hurley carried a lot of ball, as did Kieran Griffin, and Ger Leary. Jason Fleming, the heartbeat of the team, even found time to grab a few kick-outs high in  the air.

Castlehaven were making the space they wanted, but at the first sign of danger, we had people to fill that space. Tadgh Harrington was a rock in defence. Rarely have I seen him so fired up, as he turned over a number of balls with ferocious tackling.

Seven minutes had gone in the second half. when the 'Haven got a sight of the Barryroe goal, but Conor Madden was quickly off his line to block the effort. Two minutes later, Kieran Hurley had a point. After 25 minutes, the Western side had their first score of the half, but within a minute, Kieran Hurley pushed us further ahead with one of the best scores of the game. Castlehaven had the last say with a point in injury time, but we ran out winners by 11-3.

Although it's just one step along the road, and there will be much tougher games ahead, it's fair to say that tonight put the pride back in Barryroe football.

This was a team effort and it's hardly fair to single out a man of the match, but for my money, and to start an argument, it would be a toss up between Jason and Tadgh. 

Denis on a good support run.

Jason puts on the pressure.

Clive covered every blade of grass in Ardfield.

Jer breaks the ball to Denis.

Mark in possession.

Mikey knocks it over.

 

 

 

Lán Chúl.