NAHL Div. 2 - Kickhams Vs Larne

Thursday, April 17, 2008

North Antrim U18 Hurling Division 2
31st March 2008

 

Kickhams Creggan 2-11
Larne 3-05

 

Creggan minor hurlers secured two points in their first game of the season against a strong Larne side thanks mainly to a tremendous second half display

 

With Creggan fielding without several regulars, it was Larne who showed more hunger from the throw in and they won the bulk of possession in the first 20 minutes converting most of this possession to scores with some excellent long range points. Creggan lost Matthew Nelson with a bad hand injury and had to reshuffle the team, however they had Odhran Mc Larnon at full forward to thank for keeping them in this game during the first half. Odhran scored a brilliant goal and some crucial points to keep Creggan within 3 points of Larne at half time. The last ten minutes of the half showed a gradual improvement in the Creggan players desire to compete directly and physically with the hard hitting Larne side. Paddy Mc Auley in particular started to make his presence felt at centre half.

 

Whatever was said at halftime definitely did the trick and from the throw in Creggan totally dominated this game. The half backs became much more dominant and there was very little Larne attacking play getting past this line. Larne lost one of their defenders following a very crude challenge on Tiernan Mc Larnon after he was dispossessed by Tiernan. Up front scores from Odhran Mc Larnon, Danan O Hara, Gavin Browne and a brilliant solo effort from Fergal Mc Grenagahan gave Creggan a 6 point lead at one stage. Larne did score a lucky goal late on to raise a slim chance of a comeback however the Creggan defence shut down any attacking play very quickly clearing the danger on several occasions when Larne pushed for another goal.

 

A great team performance, particularly in the second half with Paddy Mc Auley, Declan Mc Cann in outstanding form while Odhran Mc Larnon (2:08) was virtually unstoppable. Two other forwards Gavin Browne and Danan O Hara contributed points a piece along with midfielder Fergal Mc Grenagahan.

 

Kickhams Team - C Mc Cann, A Maguire, P Mc Larnon, P Mc Auley, M Nelson, D Mc Cann T Mc Larnon, O Mc Cann, F Mc Greangahn, S Allen, BJ Mc Keown, G Browne D O Hara, O Mc Larnon, G Mc Larnon