31st August 2019 Feenagh

Our Junior A hurlers took on Castletown/Ballyagran this evening in a novel pairing in this years West Semi final. The South teams were competing in the West Championship this year. The last time we played Castletown/Ballyagran was at the same venue in 2005 in the replay of the County Junior semi-final.

We started off this game at electric pace and had a goal from Brian Hannon inside the first minute which was quickly followed by a point from play by James O'Brien. We were on top in all areas as Castletown/Ballyagran were slow to settle. It took them 14 minutes to register their first point from a free while we had notched up 1-3, with Mike O'Connell and James O'Brien adding further points from play.

Castletown/Ballyagran began to settle and put together some nice passages of play, one such move on 24 minutes ended up in them being awarded a penalty which was dispatched to the net giving David Lynch little chance of saving it. This brought them right back into the game with the score Castletown/Ballyagran 1-03, Croagh/Kilfinny 1-04.

We had further scores in this half from Mike O'Connell and Tom McMahon 0-02 (1f). Castletown/Ballyagran finished out this half looking very comfortable adding a further 4 points from play and leading at half time 1-07 to 1-06

We started well again in the 2nd half and threatened the Castletown/Ballyagran goal line but could not find a way through despite a number of chances. Castletown/Ballyagran added 3 further points from frees before we registered our 1st score of the 2nd half a point from play from Tom McMahon 12 minutes in. We had a substitute on 11 minutes with Liam Lenihan replacing Denis Lenihan in the full back line.

We found our rhythm again after this score and added 3 points without reply, Tom McMahon 0-02 (2f) and Mike O'Connell 0-01 from play. At this stage with 24 minutes gone in the 2nd half the score was Castletown/Ballyagran 1-10 Croagh/Kilfinny 1-10 and all to play for.

Castletown/Ballyagran went ahead by a point and we responded with Mike O'Connell from play to level it again with 29 mins gone in the 2nd half. Castletown/Ballyagran finished the game very strong and between the 29th minute and the final whistle at 32 minutes they added a further 1-02 and only for some great defending could have added further goals.

We will be disappointed as we were well in this game up to the the final few minutes. We will regroup and plan now for the County quarter final.

Final Score: Castletown/Ballyagran 2-13 Croagh/Kilfinny 1-11

Team: David Lynch, Barry Lenihan, Denis Lenihan, Ryan McCarthy, James Lanigan, Kenneth Lenihan, Mark Storan, Kevin Shanahan, John Wall, Jack Lenihan, Tom McMahon (0-05, 3f), Mike O'Connell (0-04), James O'Brien (0-02), Declan Mullane, Brian Hannon (1-00).

Subs: Liam Lenihan for Denis Lenihan (11mins 2nd half)