They say that semi-finals are the worst to lose and sometimes the hardest to win! With the reward of a place in the final, our 13s thankfully took the hard route! After a gutsy performance and at times, many heart stopping moments, the lads came away with deserved victory versus Kilkerley Emmets on their home ground on Saturday, August 24.
Conditions were ideal except for a strong swirling wind in the first half. Down by five points to one mid-way in the first half the lads didn't panic scoring a crucial goal to stay in the game. Despite going in at half time down by 1.7 to 1.5 they managed to contain both the wind and the slight dominance of Kilkerley.
Character has been the defining hallmark of these fine young men this year. Constant and persistent qualities - courage, heart and collective team spirit - were rewarded with a stirring and defying second half performance. Across all lines on the field everybody gave a relentless commitment to doing their very best in a very tense encounter.
Scores on both sides were scarce in the second half. The Gers lads survived a few wasted opportunities but kept battling and luck, which all teams need, was deservedly theirs when Kilkerley hit the crossbar in the dying moments of the game. Justice was served with a narrow but superb 1.10 to 1.8 win to reach the final.
Thanks to all parents/guardians for their support and with the Club they can be very proud of a fine group of growing young men representing themselves, our Club and our community with honour.
We look forward now to the Final to witness hopefully another exciting chapter in the ongoing development of these lads as young men and footballers' whatever way it unfolds!
Final Result: Geraldines 1.10 Kilkerley Emmets 1.08
Panel:
Rían Burke Oran Burke Aran Broe Daithí Duggan James Durnin Niall Fennessy Alex Gill Alex Gray Zach Healy Ronan Henry Aran Hoey Rogers Tom Johnson Ben King Louis Mackin Max Melaniphy Logan McGahon Oisín McKevitt Seanan O Connor Darragh O Neill Danny Rochford Aidan Soraghan Harry Smith Samuel Vilaseco-Holohan Richard Whately
THE GERALDINES - THE HOME OF GAA IN HAGGARDSTOWN AND BLACKROCK WHERE EVERYONE PLAYS
