Our Banner Ennis under 14 hurlers exited the championship last night following a defeat by Broadford on a scoreline of 7-08 to 1-09. Although the scoreline suggests a heavy defeat this game was very competitive up to the final quarter, but the concession of a few quick goals in the last 15 minutes effectively killed the game. For much of the first half the Banner held a narrow lead and the lead changed hands several times. Broadford had the ball in the Banner net after 2 minutes but the Ennis side responded to score 4 consecutive points before Broadford responded to equalise. The Banner went ahead again following a great goal by Fahwed Akinwale and at that stage lead on a scoreline of 1-05 to 1-01 after approximately 20 minutes. However the Broadford side dominated the last 10 minutes of the first half and by half time Broadford lead by 3-05 to 1-05. The fist 15 minutes of the second half was again end to end fair with Broadford scoring an early goal before the Banner responded with 3 points. But early in the final quarter as bodies got tired, Broadford scored 3 quick goals that made the gap too large to surmount. The Banner lads battled to the end but on the night a very skillful Broadford team were thoroughly deserving winners. We congratulate Broadford and wish them the best of luck in the final where they will meet the winners of the other semi final which is being contested between Crusheen-Tubber v Feakle-Kilanena amalgamations. the performance of our centre back on the night, Sean MacMahon deserves special mention as he was immense.

This under 14 hurling group had a year that the panel should be proud of. The performances and results achieved are far ahead of where this group were in last years under 13 championship. That improvement is testament to the hard work being done by the players and their coaches but special mention must go to the team manager Greg Dormer who has done tremendous work with these boys over the last 3 years since they were under 12. The focus of the under 14 group now shifts for a while to football with the under 14 football championship commencing on Monday night with a home game against Clarecastle. From a hurling point of view all the boys will resume hurling later in the summer after a rest period in preparation for the under 13 Championship in August - October and the under 15 and under 16 championships in the summer and Autumn.

Well done and thanks again to all the boys and their parents for their contribution to a good campaign in the u14 hurling championship.