Banner GAA Ennis 2-18 Whitegate 1-08
The Banner under 14 hurling team had an excellent win on a glorious evening for hurling at the Banner grounds on the Shanaway Road on Monday evening. These 2 sides met last September in the U13 championship and on that occasion Whitegate had a well deserved narrow victory. Afterwards Whitegate went on to win the Under 13C Championship outright, so this is a good Whitegate side. On this occasion the tables were turned, with both teams playing in the higher u14B division and this time the side numbers increased from 13 aside to 15 aside at this grade.
The Banner side started very well and maintained their high energy levels for the full game. Adam Gomez was rock solid in goal, Killian Ryan strong at full back, and Samuel Olaoye dominant at centre back throughout. The midfield / centre forward triangle of Sean MacMahon, Liam Hughes and Ronan Kilroy were causing all sorts of problems for the Whitegate defence all night. By half time, the Banner had built up a lead of 2-08 to 0-06 with most of the scores coming from the aofrementioned Kilroy, Hughes and MacMahon. Kaden Herlihy was doing well at wing forward, as was Conor O'Toole on the other wing, and the seven under 12 lads in the starting line up all having fine games. These were Caleb Walsh and Cailum Henchy in the full back line, Ben O'Halloran and the outstanding Eoin Fitzpatrick in the half back line and the small in stature but determined and skillful full forward line of Frankie Toner, Conal O'Reilly and Paddy Molony all contributing their part to a fine team performance.
In the second half the Banner took up where they left off, with Liam Hughes in particular causing untold problems for the Whitegate side, with seering runs from midfield and picking off great scores, with Sean MacMahon and Ronan Kilroy also chipping in with good points.
Whitegate to be fair never gave up and they got a goal back with about ten minutes to go and also caused a few missed heart beats with two twenty metre frees for goal but both were stopped very well by Eoin Fitz and Adam Gomez. In the end the Banner ran out with a 2-18 to 1-08 victory.
Afterwards, the boys were fortunate to have some encouraging words kindly spoken to them by 2 time All Star and All Ireland Medal winner Brendan Bugler (mentor with Whitegate) who praised the boys work rate, team spirit, skills and use of the ball.
Tonights win makes it 2 wins from 2 games for the Banner side having beaten Kilkee Bealaha away in the first game. Next up is Parteen and following that is Feile na nGael on the Friday of Easter weekend. Great credit and thanks is due to team manager Greg Dormer, part of our adult hurling and football panels who has been coaching this group for 3 years. The boys really look up to Greg and he is getting really good performances from the group, when in the past these lads have often been on the losing side.
Banner Ennis Team:
- Adam Gomez
- Caleb Walsh
- Killian Ryan
- Cailum Henchy
- Eoin Fitzpatrick
- Samuel Olaoye
- Ben O'Halloran
- Sean MacMahon
- Liam Hughes
- Kaden Herlihy
- Ronan Kilroy
- Conor O'Toole
- Frankie Toner
- Conal O'Reilly
- Paddy Molony
Substitutes
16. Vincent CRowley
17. River McGann
