07/03/04 The Under 16 Laois Snaps

Camross, Laois U-16's…3:08 St.Johns, Antrim U-16's…0:01 St. Johns U-16's fell in their second game in two days of their Laois Tour against a Camross team dominated by the brilliant Zane Keenan. Camross, U-14 Feile na Gael Champions two years ago certainly posed a severe test for the young Johnnies in their weekend exertions.

The impressive Camross Under 16 team

St. John's fought hard in the first half but with the loss of their inspirational fullback Colm McCrudden their resources were severely stretched. Certainly St. John's had several first half goal chances only to fail at the final hurdle.

Eoghan Caldwell taks his sideline cut

Camross took a half time lead of 2:05 to 0:01 with their Senior player Keenan, certainly a name to remember, playing superbly. Declan McVeigh managed to take the Antrim mens only score of the first half with a 30m point. This was Decky's first ever point in hurling. (Well done Decky!).

Upon resumption St. John's still managed to bring the game to Camross with their midfield pairing of Eoghan Caldwell and Brian Holmes playing well and continuing a supply of ball to their forwards.

But this was a bridge too far for the now tired and sore Johnnies and Camross ran out comfortable winners. For Camross the gifted Keenan was a revelation. Craig Dooley was excellent at centre half back and Joe Phelan and Andrew Collier played well.

Scramble for the sliotar

The midlanders fullback line of Darragh Ryan, Darin Dooley and Adrian Delaney certainly kept a tight hold on their opponents and snuffed out countless balls in the last quarter of the pitch.

Digging deep for the ball

For St. Johns Brian (Homer) Holmes and Eoghan Caldwell had good games again as did Barry McFall who showed his versatility when he had to switch into fullback. Tomas Shannon, Marty Elliott and Anthony Moore also played well in flashes.

Goal keeper Ciaran McKissock ('The Legend of Clonlara') also showed how good a keeper he is with severe questioning from the Camross forward line.
sc

Camross U-16's: 1.Thomas Dunphy 2.Darragh Ryan 3.Darin Dooley 4.Adrian Delaney 5.Daithi Coyne 6.Craig Dooley 7.Matin Burke 8.Conor Dona 9.Andrew Collier 10.Dean Delaney 11. Gerard Delaney 12.Ray Delaney 13.Joe Phelan 14.Zane Keenan 15. Tomas Burke 16.Gerard Dooley 17.Darren McCartney 18.Richard Drennan 19.Mark Hancock 20.Lorcan Burke 21.Fergal Delaney 22.David Carwin.

Manager: P.J. Cuddy
Mentor: Matty Collier

Camross Scorers: Zane Keenan 1:06 (0:03 frees), Joe Phelan 2:00, Ray Delaney 0:01, Dean Delaney 0:01.

St. John's: 1.Ciaran McKissock 2.Martin Elliott 3.Colm McCrudden 4. Aodh Hamilton 5. Pat Gregory 6. Peter McGarrity 7.Anthony Moore 8. Eoghan Caldwell 9.Tomas Shannon 10.Aodhan Mulholland 11.Barry McFall (Captain) 12.Declan McVeigh 13.Brian Holmes 14.Aaron Doyle 15. Sean Paul Wright

Substitutes (All Used): 16. Sean McDaniel 17.Brendan O'Neill 18.Michael Flannery

Manager: Shane Caldwell
Mentors: Michael O'Neill, Conor Gannon

St. John's Scorer: Declan McVeigh 0:01

Referee: John Carroll