John Lockes Callan GAA

The John Lockes u-14 team went down with all guns blazing to All-Ireland Feile champions OLoughlin Gaels in the Roinn A league semi-final on Saturday last in Ballyhale. Playing against the wind in the first half the young Lockes lads stood toe to toe with their opponents for the first twenty minutes with James Power keeping his side in touch from placed balls. The strong breeze eventually began to have an effect and the Gaels forwards found the target from out the field to open up a seven point interval lead despite the best efforts of Ryan Bergin and Cathal Mc Garth in particular.0-10 to 0-3 at the break. The second half saw the Callan lads throw all they could muster at the city lads and were rewarded with points from James Power and Cathal Mc Grath to chip away at the lead, before O loughlins effectively sealed the issue with a green flag from long range after fifteen minutes. The Lockes did not give up and players like owen Scriven, Robert kerwick, Sean Power, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Padraig Purcell and young Conor Murphy never gave an inch. Lee Doheny raised the hopes again when he goaled with eight minutes left to leave six points between the sides. The city side put the issue beyond doubt with a late goal to progress to a final meeting with city rivals Dicksboro. Owen Byrne in goal had a solid game as did defenders Dylan Kavanagh and Dylan Roche, further afield Jack Lynch and Paddy Vaughan can be proud of their contributions. Final score was OLoughlins 2-14 to John Lockes 1-9.
The team can certainly look forward to the forthcoming championship wher they will play one of the first round winners in a quarter final on the 10th of September.