U16 Hurlers Start Well

Pearses 0-16 to St.Thomas’ 1-4:andamp;nbsp;Our U16 hurlers got their Championship off to a great start against St Thomas’ this evening in a very wet Castledaly. Pearses started with intent and weer first off the mark, with 2 quick points on the board (Lee Murphy and Brian Sweeney). St Thomas replied with 1-1, all inside the opening 10 minutes.
However, the Pearses backs, led by Sean Murray, tightened their grip on the opposing forwards. Two brilliant saves by Matthew Walsh also helped in limiting St Thomas’ scoreless for the rest of the half. Pearses pushed on with Brian Sweeney, Ronan O’Neill, Paul Lally and Lee Murphy dominating the middle third of the field. Sweeney finished the first-half with 0-10, from both play and frees, to leave the half-time score, Pearses 0-11 to 1-1.
The second half was a hard fought affair with scores hard to come by as under-foot conditions deteriorated even further. St. Thomas’ hit 0-2 to reduce the deficit to 5, before Brian Sweeney (0-4) and Lee Murphy (0-1) settled the contest, despite a disallowed goal from hard working Keith Connell. A late point from St.Thomas left the final score Pearses 0-16 to St.Thomas 1-4.
Brian Sweeney was the standout player throughout. He had also, 6 hours previously, scored 2-10 in a Schools game (Thanks Ronan). 2-24 in one day, outstanding. Pearses are scheduled to play in Round 2 of the Championship on 18th April, in Ballymacward against Tommie Larkins.
Pearses: Matthew Walsh; Ronan Carr, Sean Murray, Ronan Flannery; Dermot Byrnes, Ronan O’Neill, Paul Lally; Lee Murphy (0-2), Brian Sweeney (0-14); Conor O’Neill, Matthew Ruane, Eoin Burke; Emmet Costello, Keith Connell, Daniel Masterson. Sub used: Darragh Healy for Emmet Costello.
Thanks to Martin Scarry (Juvenile Chairman) for Report.