Geraldines under 15s win 1st Champonship match 4-12 to 1-5 victory over Oliver Plunketts/Wolfe Tones.
Geraldines u15 boys sponsored by Sports Direct Ireland won their opening Louth GAA U15 A championship game on Monday evening at McGeough Park.
Ryan McCutcheon set the tone for the Gers with an early point. Cillian Lynch and Finn Madine also contributed early on to put the side 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after 5 minutes.
The visitors then raised the green flag and added another point to take a 2 point lead - but that was to be the only time the home side trailed.
Jamie Soraghan ran through the defence and had his goal bound effort tipped over the bar by the Plunketts keeper to cut the deficit to one and then Jamie had a great run along the end line before sending in a pass which Finn Madine palmed into the net from close range to make it 1-4 to 1-2.
A free for Oliver Plunketts reduced the gap to one before the Geraldines pushed forward just before the break.
Ryan McCutcheon pounced on a loose ball to punch the ball into the net before Jamie added two more points as the Geraldines went into the break 2-6 to 1-3 ahead.
Cian Spaight came in at half time for the injured David Clune and immediately made an impact setting up Cillian Lynch for a point.
Jamie Soraghan added a goal to take his personal tally to 1-3 before a fine point by Sean McKenna made the match score 3-8 to 1-4.
Next to make an impact from the bench was Ralph Tinsley who scored 2 points within 4 minutes of coming on - one an excellent team move with at least 5 players involved.
Cillian Lynch added his 3rd point before two more subs got onto the scoresheet.
Aodhan Gibbons showed good composure in front of goal to score a point before Evan Hoey Rogers scored a goal tapping in off the ground at the back post.
The Gers kept the Drogheda lads to just two points in the second half thanks to solid defensive displays from Shea Neary, Suraj Akhal, Cillian Forrester and Cormac Broe and a steady performance from Oran Garavaglia in goal.. Owen McGahon had another impressive game as did Jack Greene who came on at half time for Matthew Messin who put in a good shift in the first half. Cian Spaight was an assured presence when he came on getting on plenty of ball and using it well. The tireless Eoghan O'Brien got through a mountain of work in midfield and Oliver Begley made some impressive catches around the middle. It is a testament to the strength in depth of the squad that 29 players stripped out even though several players were unavailable through injury or holidays.
The entire squad have shown great commitment and application in training recently and there is massive competition for places
right through the squad.
Next up is Naomh Fionnbarra in 2 weeks.
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