COUNTY CHAMPIONS
The John Lockes minor hurlers gained some consolation for their championship exit when they captured the Roinn B league title against Glenmore on Saturday last. In what was a very entertaining hours hurling both sides deserve credit for their approach and quality of the fare served up. Glenmore set the pace in the early stages with Alan Murphy in particular causing problems for the Lockes defence. Mark Shelly kept the Callan lads in touch with accuracy from placed balls and a goal from Sean Tierney had the Lockes in -front at the break by a single point J.L. 1-8 to G/More 1-7. The new half saw Glenmore regain the ascendancy with two points from corner forward Mark Aylward and a goal from full forward Gerard Kehoe answered with minor scores from the impressive Cathal McGrath and Shelly once again from a free. The Lockes mentors had by this stage moved Sean Tierney to the edge of the square and it proved to be a match winner as he constantly troubled the Glenmore full back line and Josh Haines was beginning to win ball on the 45. With the Mc Dowell brothers Bill and Jack and Keith Fitzpatrick being the proverbial rock on the half back line the Lockes began to put scores on the board. Alan Murphy and Liam Hennessy kept Glenmore within striking distance of the winners but in the last quarter goals from Josh Haines and Sean Tierney following a clever pass from Adam Phelan put the result beyond doubt. Nicholas Roche had a couple of anxious moments in goal but contributed well to the effort as did his full back line of Eoin Kennedy, Keith Roche and Matthew Bergin who had a particularly good second half. Further afield Mark Morris gave everything he had for the cause as did his replacement James Mackin and the skilful Ryan Bergin at corner forward that finished with a two point tally. Final score for the record was John Lockes 3-16 Glenmore 2-13. The team thoroughly deserved to win the title having been consistent throughout the campaign and it was just reward for their efforts and that of their mentors Paddy Phelan, Nicky Roche, Briain McGrath, Mick Bryan and Joe Molloy. Well done to you all lads.
Team; Nicholas Roche, Matthew Bergin, Eoin Kennedy, Keith Roche, Keith Fitzpatrick, Jack McDowell, Bill Mc Dowell, Mark Shelly, Sean Tierney, Cathal McGrath, Ruairi Kennedy, Josh Haines, Ryan Bergin, Adam Phelan, Mark Morris, Dylan Roche, Jack Butler, James Mackin, Billy Bergin, Conor Quinlan, James Power, Sean Power, Jimmy Lynch, Briain Kirwan, Robert Kerwick, Robbie Hennessy and Tony Power.