Following a great start to Féile on Day 1, the lads were set to meet our hosts Loughgiel Shamrocks on Saturday morning. This game would decide who would finish top of the Group B and the opposition for the Quarter-Finals, from Group A.
Loughgiel got off to a good start with 1-1, but Pearses battled back to leave just one point in it after 10 minutes, 1-1 to 0-3. The home team found the net again and added two points to Pearses’ one. But for some fine goalkeeping from the Loughgiel keeper, Pearses could’ve had three goals. Half-time 2-3 to 0-4. Pearses had the better of the second half exchanges, outscoring the boys in red 0-3 to 0-1, but couldn’t work a goal and Shamrocks held out for a 2-4 to 0-7 win.
This result meant Pearses finished second in Group B and would go on to play Harps (Durrow/Cullohill) of Laois in the Quarter-Final to take place at 2.30pm. Harps had defeated Naas (Kildare) and Dunloy (Antrim) and drew with Kevin Lynch’s (Derry) in their Group.
Pearses had a great start to this game with two early goals, leading 2-0 to 1-1 after ten minutes. Harps added another 1-1 to Pearses 0-3 before half time, to leave it Pearses 2-3 Harps 2-2 at the break. An early goal in the second half opened Pearses lead to four, but the Laois boys were quick to bring the game back on level terms, 3-3 apiece. With the hard game with Loughgiel taking it’s affect on Pearses legs Harps outscored Pearses 3-1 to 0-1 in the Final-Quarter to advance to the Semi-Finals. Scorers: D Reilly 1-1, O Flannery 0-3, Eoin Lally 1-0, G Kenny 1-0.
By all accounts a fantastic weekend of hurling and fun was had by all, a weekend that players, mentors and supporters who travelled will never forget. The lads are disappointed that they did not advance further, but all associated with the Club are immensely proud of them. They had already achieved so much this year, before they even set foot on the bus North on Friday morning – Justin Cheevers Galway Féile Champions, U14B1 Hurling Champions and U14C Football League Champions. Well done lads on representing our Parish, Club and County with distinction.
Thanks to Loughgiel Shamrocks for their generosity, kindness and hospitality over the weekend. In the words of Andrea Hynes “The host families were absolutely fantastic and treated our children as their own for the weekend. Also a huge thanks for all their generous gifts.” Loughgiel Shamrocks are most welcome to pay a return visit in the future.