Our u12 hurlers got their season off the ground with a challenge game against Douglas in Camden this evening.
It was the boys first outing on the field but you could tell they had been hurling through the winter as the standard was excellent in soft conditions. Crosshaven got off to a strong start with a pointed free from Oliver Dransfield before Roan Sisk soon doubled the lead from play.
Douglas came back into it for a spell but strong defending from Tadhg Connolly and Flynn McGrath in the full back line kept them at bay. Ryan O'Connell was commanding in goal and was striking great puck outs to his wing forwards.
Daithí O'Leary gave a man of the match performance at centre back - getting in over a dozen blocks in the 50 minutes! Luke Cummins and Daniel Maverly put in a brilliant shift at wing back. Great to see Luke back from injury and he was straight into the thick of it. Douglas struck back with a goal and 2 points but Crosshaven once again dug in and a great free from out the field by Daithí was eventually flicked to the net on the ground by Tony Fitzgibbon.
Oliver Dransfield added a free to leave the score 1-3 to 1-2 at half time. Flynn Lynch and Harry McGrath worked very hard at wing forwards and were out in front of their men at every opportunity and looking to feed the inside forwards. Tony got on a lot of ball and his strong running was causing Douglas a lot of problems. Against the wind in the second half the lads worked very hard. Ben Bywater was always a threat in full forward and he was ably assisted by Olan McCarthy who made sure the full back line got no rest.
Douglas scored another goal despite some brave defending and great saves from Ryan. A couple of pointed frees extended their lead but Crosshaven didn't give up and created many chances of their own. A pointed free from Oliver proved to be the last score despite threatening for goals at the end. Final score Douglas 2-5 Crosshaven 1-4.
A great performance and strong start to the year from the boys, they play Sars next weekend before the league starts in April.
