The opposition were a year older & a head taller in nearly every position, but Gers U12 boys gave a very impressive account of themselves in this U13 D4 league match.
The Gers got off to the worse possible start, surrendering 5 easy goals in first 5 mins. It looked like it was going to be a one sided affair.
It took us a while to settle & get into our usual free-flowing, passing game. It also took us a while to get to grips with the size of the task at hand. But there’s one thing you can say about the Gers U12s; they never give up!
Full forward Harry Smith got our first score on the board, after a tough opening 15mins. He took his point well and followed it up a minute later with a brilliantly finished goal low to the bottom left corner.
Rian Burke playing corner forward got our next score when he saw a chance to pounce on a fumble by the Western GK & the ball finished in the net. James Durnin who had a brilliant match throughout kicked a well taken free to finish the half 5:1 to 2:2.
At the start of the 2nd Half the Westerns again started well, scoring a point & goal to leave 12 points between the sides.
Tom Johnston battling hard in the middle won a well deserved free. James Durnin dropped the free into Harry Smith who finished it with a fist into the net. This shifted the boys into their top gear, pinning the opposition in, and going on a 5 point streak (JD 3, TJ 1, HS 1) There was now only 4 between the sides.
The Westerns scored 2 pts from play & another from a free to keep a big score between the teams.
Logan McGahon who showed tremendous effort throughout, won a free that led to a score. With five mins to go the Gers looked most likely to win it. We were unlucky with a couple of finishes inching wide, or scrambled off the line.
Niall Fennesy with a man of the match performance got in behind the defence to tuck in a much needed goal for the young Gers. We had brought the deficit from 16 back to just 3 points.
It was a very exciting match; all about effort and determination. Zach Healy & Tom Johnston never stopped. Daragh O’Neill & Danny Rochford each gave an outstanding performance. Aidan Soraghan at the back blocked scores & started the attack. Oran Burke & Richard Whately at the back in the second half, were hard to play against, keeping a tight marking on their man.
Oisin McKevitt, brilliant as half forward & deputised well as goal keeper in the second half with some great distribution.
Senan O’Connor, Aron Hoey, Rayan Akhal & James Durnin added energy to the team when they came on as subs after 20 mins, always moving & working for the team.
It was a lovely bank holiday evening for a game of football out at Westerns GAA Club. The Westerns got a goal with the last kick of the match, to go out eventual winners by 6pts on a score of 7:5 to 4:8.
In the end, it was a bridge too far; but the coaches could not have been prouder of the performances put in by every one of the 17 U12 boys on the team sheet.
Our u12 boys are kindly supported by Connect Credit Union
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