GAA NEWS: Buncrana secured their first county u21 hurling title on Sunday with a convincing win against rivals St Eunans in O Donnell park.
The game started brightly for thr Scarvey men and they controlled most of the game.
Tom Clare jnr had a game to remember with an impressive 1:5 , but it was his general play that would have pleased his father and manager Tom snr most.
Early points from Oisin and Conor Grant along with 2 points from Conor o Rourke along with a rare James Doherty point kept the score board ticking along
In Defence the Wilson brothers were simply brilliant,Patrick at no 3 and Daniel at no 6 where rock solid. Patricks only blemish was a goal that he deflected to the top corner past the injury stricken keeper Paul Tourish.
Half time score 0:8to 1:4.
The second half started with Buncrana tagged on early points and a goal from Tom Clare set the tone.A leg injury to Daniel Wilson saw young Pj mc Carron enter the fray and he put his shoulder to the wheel.
St Eunans although they threatened only added one point during the enter second half.Fiachra mac Lochlainn was imense for 17 year old, but he was well supported by the robust Kevin Vaughan and James Doherty.Aedan Stokes bouyed by his recent inclusion in the county senior hurling panel was a tower of strenght and you can see the recent gym work is paying dividends.
In midfield county players Paul Nelson (0:2)and Sam roe Doherty where tigerish and didnt let the cathedral town settle.
Tom at center half forward was well supported by Dylan Duffy and Ben roe Doherty who chipped in with goal of the game , a 20 yard run beat at least 3 defenders and found back of the net.
Captain Conor Grant placed at the edge of the square due to a recent illness chipped in with 2 points from play and tried hard throughout ,the aforementioned Conor o Rourke (0:2)enjoyed more freedom when he moved out the field.Enda o Rourke got an early second half run out an added to the threat of the powerful Buncrana forward line.
The link play between young Oisin Grant(0:1) and Tom was a joy to watch,
All in all it was a fantastic team performance and a very deseving win both sides were missing key players but placement of this comp so late in the year needs to be reviewed.
Buncrana will only lose 2 players from the starting 15 and would like to build on this in next years senior championship.
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