On Sunday July 4th, the U12 hurlers of Eoghan Rua from Dungannon Co. Tyrone played our U12 hurling team in a challenge game.  Eoghan Rua were travelling to Croke Park to watch the Leinster Hurling final between Kilkenny and Galway and asked us if we'd be willing to play them.  We were delighted to accommodate their request.  Due to holidays, we didn't have our full squad available so we had to call on the services of some of the U11 hurlers.  Eoghan Rua had an early start when they left Dungannon at 8 a.m. They arrived in Pairc Ui Bhriain just before 11 and, despite their long journey, were ready for action.

Referee Jamie O'Malley, who had an excellent game, got the game underway and the battle commenced.  After some end to end hurling, Eoghan Rua managed to get on top and had notched up 1-1 after 10 minutes.  Had it not been for some wonderful saves from David Pollard, the margin would have been a lot greater.  Olaf's got back into the game and Jordan O'Connor scored a wonderful point from mid-field.  This was quickly followed by another point from Chloe O'Ceallaigh. Just before the break, Eoghan Rua scored another point to leave the half time score at Naomh Olaf 0-2 Eoghan Rua 1-2.

David Breathnach was brought in at full forward for the start of the second half and he scored 2 goals within 5 minutes.  The Tyrone lads knew they had a battle on their hands and. aided by the breeze, they upped their performance and scored 2-8 without reply. A couple of the Eoghan Rua players were on the U14 team who had played in the Feile a few weeks previously and their skill proved to be the difference between the teams.

After the game, both teams were treated to refreshments in the club house.  Sincere thanks to the parents who provided the refreshments and to those who help served the refreshments also.

We hope that Eoghan Rua had an enjoyable day in Croke Park and we look forward to visiting them in the future.

The panel on the day was: David Pollard, Rory Gallagher, Cian Power Kelly, Lorca O'Hanrachan, Matthew Deering, Sean McDaid, Ben Thornton, Jordan O'Connor (0-1), Jamie Deasy, Fiachra MacLoughlin, Roisin MacLoughlin, Chloe O'Ceallaigh (0-1), Cian O'Sullivan, Matthew O'Ceallaigh, Declan Murphy, Stephanie Deasy, Richard Sheil, David Breathnach (2-0)