John Lockes Callan GAA

South under-21 Final
John Lockes 2-8 Thomastown 2-11

This rip-roaring South Final went down to the wire and even further, as Thomastown, to their eternal credit, managed to fight their way to the head of the pack as the game turned into the final straight, and stayed there. Surely the mark of true Champions. It could be said that the gallant John Lockes might have stolen the game. They were in a position to win the game. They certainly had the chance to at least earn another run at it, but the record books never lie, and they never carry any statistic other than the final score. As all Managers will say, that the only score that matters, is the one on the board when the referee blows the final whistle. There is no space on a scoreboard for excuses.

In abysmal conditions- incessant rain, exceptionally soft underfoot conditions, and driving wind both sides would have to be complimented on the tremendous value for money they afforded every one of the paying public. The hurling was excellent from both sides. The skill factor was so admirable, and the discipline was exemplary. Whilst the refereeing was questionably erratic from the point of view of both sides, it never prevented players from giving of their honest best at all times.

The Callan lads certainly had the better of things when aided by the wind in the first half. Their half back line of the diminutive, but outstanding Alan Bergin, Bill McCormack, and Tony Delaney were top class. Never indulging in over elaboration, they went about the business of preventing any damage being caused to their team with incisive clearances, first-time striking, and McCormack in particular hit a huge amount of ground ball to telling effect, and he didn't stand on ceremony doing it. At midfield, Shane Bergin was by far the better of the Callan combination, while Simon Burke, James Power (in the first half only) and Matthew Houlihan in patches caused all sorts of problems for the Thomastown rearguard. Callan probably erred in not getting more ball into Burke in the first half, when too much of it was lashed into corners.

What were Callan's strengths in the first thirty minutes dramatically were exchanged in the second period. The boys in blue were the hunters, the scavengers, and the bone pickers. Behind at the break by three points, Thomastown had the game all tied up within two minutes of the re-start. Probably the youngest player on the park, and one of the sweetest, Thomas O' Hanrahan skinned at least three John Lockes defenders with a magical piece of exquisite skill to bury the ball in the back of Sean Bryan's net. The Callan response was a James Power point four minutes later, and a superb solo goal by Simon Burke gave the Callan support hope in the 38 th.minute. Callan were not to score again.

James O'Hanrahan , Dylan Waugh, Stu Waugh, John Joe Farrell, and the above-mentioned O'Hanrahan the younger, brought the fire to the John Lockes. Their half back line of Pauric Caulfield, Philip Moore, and John Cullinane presented a strong deterrent to many of the Callan half forwards, in fact, they were seldom beaten during the entire second half. Most of the John Lockes attacks emanated from the ferocious work ethic of the Bergin brothers, Bill Mc Cormack, and Tony Delaney. Farrell was the target of most of Paul Barron's deliveries, and how he fattened off them. Surprisingly, the Callan lads seemed oblivious to that particular threat.

As the game wore on at a frantic pace, it became increasingly apparent that indiscipline was going to be an issue in the final analysis. Other than a point by John Joe Farrell in the 48th minute, and the early O'Hanrahan goal, the rest of the Thomastown scores came as a result of free shots. In that regard, Stuart Waugh had a field day. He shot six easy points in the second half from frees, and that on a day when a score, any score, was worth ten minutes. His final take was eight from eleven! That tells a story.

There was a nail-biting climax to the game when in the 67th minute (there was a added time of seven minutes, and quite correctly), the John Lockes were awarded a penalty. The poorly struck stroke was easily cleared, and with it went the hope of a replay for the gallant losers. The Callan lads fought a brave battle, and while one or two didn't match up to the challenge, the rest of them gave their all. This is a very young Callan side, with thirteen of them on the minor team, eligible again for the minor Championship in 2010. The town can be proud of them, as they gave great enjoyment during the year. Thomastown now go onto a County Final, and they have every right to expect a victory. They have a delightful band of good young players, who can hurl. Defensively they are well endowed, but it is up front where their strengths are abundantly obvious. Callan had 1-2 on the scoreboard by the 8th minute, and they were hurling with tremendous awareness and control. The goal was scored by Niall Hennessy. They reached the half way mark with 1-7 in their credit book, thanks to terrific points by Matthew Houlihan (3), Simon Burke, James Power, Ger Shelly, and Jason Corcoran. The goal by James O'Hanrahan certainly sent the Thomastown lads in at the break with a pep in their step. Points by John Joe Farrell, Brian Murphy, and Stu Waugh (2) helped to keep the Callan lead well within their scoring capabilities.

John Lockes 1-7, Thomastown 1-4.
The rest is history.
Scores
Thomastown: Stu Waugh 0-8, frees); James O'Hanrahan, Thomas O'Hanrahan (1-0 each), JJ. Farrell (0-2); Brian Murphy (0-1).
John Lockes: Simon Burke (1-1); Niall Hennessy (1-0); Matthew Houlihan (0-3); James Power (0-2 frees); Ger Shelly (0-1).

Thomastown: Paul Barron, Thomas Moore, Colin Clarke, James Hoyne, Pauric Caulfield, Philip Moore, John Cullinane, Steephen Connolly, James O' Hanrahan, David Prendergast, Thomas O'Hanrahan, Stuart Waugh, Thomas O' Hanrahan.
Subs (used):

John Lockes: Sean Bryan, Mark Nolan, Brendan Grace, Eoghan Fahy, Alan Bergin, Bill McCormack, Tony Delaney, Jason Corcoran, Shane Bergin, James Power, Niall Hennessy, Ger Shelly, Dan McCormack, Simon Burke, Matthew Houlihan.

Ref: J.Fitzgerald (Piltown).