24th February 2023
RCC 4-11 Marist College 5-08
Our u15 hurlers welcomed the Marist College Athlone to Pairc RCC last Wednesday on a beautiful February day for hurling. We were quickest to settle with a long-range point from Rory Connolly and another well worked point from Luke Shally. However, the Marist outscored RCC in the next 15 minutes, leaving the score line, RCC 0-3, Marist College 1-5. The remainder of the half was a real competitive fare with neither side willing to give an inch. The RCC backs were struggling to deal with the Marist number 11 and 14. RCC went further behind but did manage to stop the rot before half time when Sean Richardson goaled, Nathan Flynn converted 2 frees and Tom Og Reddington scored a brace of points. This left RCC trailing with a half time score, RCC 1-07 to Marist College 3-4.
Upon the resumption, RCC scored 2 goals and as many points by minute 40. A 20 metre free was drilled to the net by Flynn and Luke Shally was quickest to pull on a breaking ball in the Marist square to leave RCC 5 points ahead heading into the final quarter. A long hopeful ball into the RCC square broke kindly for the Marist number 14 and he finished neatly to the net. The Marist had their purple patch thereafter tacking on a further 4 unanswered points with 5 minutes to play. This left RCC down by two points. It would have been worse were it not for the fine goalkeeping of first MJ O’Connor and then Daniel Monaghan. Marc Shally’s move to midfield began to pay dividends and he carried ball into the Marist half where he was pulled down on two occasions. Luke Shally converting both frees to draw the game. From the resulting puckout Luke Hayes won possession and passed to Thomas Hanley who drove a high ball on top of the Marist keeper who fumbled into the net. With the referee about to blow for full time, the Marist launched one more attack and their number 11 broke through he RCC rear-guard to finish to the back of the net and a share of the spoils.
This was a highly competitive affair with excellent hurling from both teams. The RCC defence was under pressure all afternoon but Bobby Regan and Nathan Flynn were excellent throughout. Rory Connolly and Marc Shally battled man fully in midfield and Luke Hayes and Thomas Hanley were a constant thorn in the side for the Marist defence.
RCC Squad – MJ O’ Connor, John Silva, Bobby Regan, William Staunton, Aaron Connelly, Nathan Flynn, Alan Gately, Rory Connolly, Marc Shally, Thomas Hanley, Luke Hayes, Tom Og Reddington, Dan Monaghan, Luke Shally, Sean Richardson, Liam Connolly, Lewis Smyth, Evan Featherston, Niall Coyle, Coman Campbell.
