Under 16 ACL Round 3

Killulta Gaels 2-5 Newcastlewest 3-9.

Newcastlewest were visitors to Pallaskenry on Monday evening last – both teams unbeaten to this point. An unseasonably cool evening was soon forgotten as a robust encounter developed on thepitch. It was nip and tuck for 6 minutes before Newcastle opened the scoring with a well worked point. They followed this a minute later with another but were immediately pegged back with a point apiece from Jack O’Keeffe and Darragh Walsh. Newcastlewestthen added 2 more points in the 12th and 15th minute but again Killulta fought back with a pointed free from Paudie Walsh followed by a very well struck goal from Eoin Cuddihy. Newcastlewest replied very quickly with a point which was cancelled out a couple of minutes with a point from Martin Nunan. Newcastle however were finishing the half stronger and managed to goal just before half-time to lead by 1-5 to 1-4.

Killulta had to regroup at half-time having lost Greg Delap with an injury after 20 minutes and also Paudie Walsh who was unable to take to the field for the second-half. Newcastle once again started strongly using their physical height and strength in the centre of the field. However they added just 2 points in the first 11 minutes of the half as Killulta defended strongly and all players appeared to up their workrate. Just before the three quarters mark Eoin Cuddihy added another goal and the game was all square. Both sides battled on for the next 8 minutes before Newcastle broke the deadlock with a goal. Darragh Walsh replied with a point but at this stage were beginning to tire and unable to take scoring opportunities. Newcastle made the most of the last 5 minutes adding a goal and 2 points without reply.

Team and Scorers: Paul Larkin,Kevin O’Connell, Micheál Keating, Paul Clarke, Dean Corrigan, Ciarán O’Brien, Greg Delap, Tony McCarthy, Darragh Walsh (0-2), Martin Nunan (0-1), Paudie Walsh (0-1), Eoin Cuddihy (2-0), Colm O’Neill, Michael O’Donnell, Jack O’Keeffe (0-1). Subs: Craig Mills, Evan McCarthy, Ross Mann, David Holland, Evan Maher, Tom O’Shea, Jonathan Maher