Broadford/Smith O'Brien Minor A team played a much fancied Clarecastle team away last evening in what was to turn out to be a heroic performance from this young team. Clarecastle topped their group and on the way had wins over Cratloe, Inagh/Kilnamona and a comprehensive win over Bodyke/O'Callaghans Mills. With a number of players unavailable and pulling three players from the U15 team the signs weren't looking promising.
Clarecastle had a strong wind behind them from the start but it was an inspirational point from Diarmuid Whelan that set the tone for Broadford/Sob. The work rate of the younger players such as Conor Phelan and Paddy Donnelan raised the spirits of the large Broadford/Killaloe support. Conor left his mark (literally) on the Clarecastle team. New helmet required. There was no way through on goal in the first half with stellar performances from Jack Dillon, Evan McNamara and Stephen Howard. Broadford found it hard to win puck-outs with the strong wind but it was felt if they could keep the scoreline manageable until half-time that they would be in with a shout. It was David O' Shea's excellent free taking and points again from Diarmuid and Stephen Howard that kept the scoreline ticking over. The first half defensive display was epitomised by a thundering shoulder by Dara Whelan on 1 of the Clarecastle forwards who came at high speed in on goals. Broadford were well in touch at half-time and it was all to play for.
The scores were tit-for-tat at the start of the second half and with great puck outs and good saves from JC McMahon things were looking up. Broadford stepped up the pressure after Clarecastle finally got a break through on goal. Scores from Cian Cremins, Eoin Power, Diarmuid Wheland and David O' Shea had temperature levels rising and the scoreline creeping ever closer to a result for the away team. The forwards ran it close to a goal on a number of occasions with a strike from James Vaughan going inches wide. Owen Powell and Connor Phelan worked tirelessly and broke great ball for David O' Shea to score on a number of occasions. Clarecastle were rattled at this stage but the clock was against Broadford/Sob who fell just short with 1 goal between the teams. The most impressive thing about this team was the spirit and fight of these young players when against all odds, playing a team seemingly physically stronger in size in most areas they never gave up and were minutes from a Minor A Semi-final. Heroic performance again from this team. Super year lads. Well done. You did your clubs proud.
Clarecastle had a strong wind behind them from the start but it was an inspirational point from Diarmuid Whelan that set the tone for Broadford/Sob. The work rate of the younger players such as Conor Phelan and Paddy Donnelan raised the spirits of the large Broadford/Killaloe support. Conor left his mark (literally) on the Clarecastle team. New helmet required. There was no way through on goal in the first half with stellar performances from Jack Dillon, Evan McNamara and Stephen Howard. Broadford found it hard to win puck-outs with the strong wind but it was felt if they could keep the scoreline manageable until half-time that they would be in with a shout. It was David O' Shea's excellent free taking and points again from Diarmuid and Stephen Howard that kept the scoreline ticking over. The first half defensive display was epitomised by a thundering shoulder by Dara Whelan on 1 of the Clarecastle forwards who came at high speed in on goals. Broadford were well in touch at half-time and it was all to play for.
The scores were tit-for-tat at the start of the second half and with great puck outs and good saves from JC McMahon things were looking up. Broadford stepped up the pressure after Clarecastle finally got a break through on goal. Scores from Cian Cremins, Eoin Power, Diarmuid Wheland and David O' Shea had temperature levels rising and the scoreline creeping ever closer to a result for the away team. The forwards ran it close to a goal on a number of occasions with a strike from James Vaughan going inches wide. Owen Powell and Connor Phelan worked tirelessly and broke great ball for David O' Shea to score on a number of occasions. Clarecastle were rattled at this stage but the clock was against Broadford/Sob who fell just short with 1 goal between the teams. The most impressive thing about this team was the spirit and fight of these young players when against all odds, playing a team seemingly physically stronger in size in most areas they never gave up and were minutes from a Minor A Semi-final. Heroic performance again from this team. Super year lads. Well done. You did your clubs proud.