Well done to the club’s under 10, 11 & 12 hurlers plus mentors Joe Forbes and Dean O’Reilly who did all the organising of the under 12 team to represent the club in this competition which we won last year and were returning as champions.

The two managers were aided & abetted by Dave Moriarty, Jim Forbes and Garry Cunningham, all of whom enjoyed a days hurling which as usual was superbly organised by the host club, Erin’s Isle. The Barróg team comprised of one under 10 (Eoin Forbes), 8 under 11’s and 5 under 12’s.

First team on the clár for the Barróg braves was St Maur's and man of the match here was Killian Hickey who bagged a brace of goals. Others who shone in this game were captain fantastic Brian (Bronco) Dennis who led by example with fast ball from midfield to his forwards, Jordan Beveridge was majestic in the backs with many a fantastic clearance under pressure. Killian Costello was a wizard on the wing with many a fine cut into the goal mouth which caused the Maur’s defence all sorts of trouble. Naomh Barróg emerged victorious on a score line of 5 goals and 1 pt to St Maur’s 0 goals and 1 pt.

Next on the agenda was the tournament favourites Na Fianna, a very polished side with a full complement of under 12 players. In this game, which Na Fianna won on a score line of 1 goal and 3 pts to 1 goal, those to shine for Naomh Barróg were goalkeeper supreme with cat like reactions and a fantastic puck out was the Blond bombshell himself Josh Rooney (remember this name because you are going to hear plenty about him over the coming years). Others to shine in this game were the quiet man Jayson Moriarty (what a full back, he never put a foot wrong all day), Karl Brady was outstanding in defence after being moved from the forwards (Karl played with plenty of spirit and buckets of skill in all the games in defence) and Eoin Forbes who played with plenty of spirit and his speed to the breaking ball was a sight to behold.

After this game we all adjourned to the Isles hall where Joe Forbes ate all the sambos and the rest of us watched in amazement, Big brother Jim was like a chimney stack with the smoke bellowing out of it, Garry Cunningham sat in the corner eating all the crisps and giving out at the same (time multi tasking at its best). Dean O’Reilly stood scratching his head wondering where he got them all from and how we were going to survive the rest of the day. Dave Moriarty was mister cool; no problems, no worries just waiting for the games to resume.

The weather man got it right again, the brolly was the order of the day like last year we were peed upon from aloft but every minute was fantastic. The Barrs from Cabra were the next to cross swords with and this was no place for the fainthearted; each and every Kilbarrack man stood up and was counted. In a hard and honest fixture the boys in green and red stood proud and tall and won a very competitive game. In the heat of battle best for Barróg in this game was big bad George (Pockets) Boder who never spared the timber and won all the big battles in the middle of the field. Conor McLoughlin tackled like a Trojan warhorse in the middle and played his heart out all day for the team. Chris Dunne played very well in the forwards and set up a few scores with some neat ground hurling.

Next port of call were Erin’s Isle in the semi final and what a battle, what a game, what a show. In a titanic match, the teams ended all square with the words of wisdom from Dean O’Reilly, Joe Forbes, Garry Cunningham and Dave Moriarty and Jim Forbes ringing in their ears and their legs barely able to carry them the lads headed for the dreaded extra time. With weary bodies and willing hearts the boys set out for the last stand and to their credit never gave an inch with some superb hurling that Eddie Brennan would be proud of. The cheers that rang out from the Barróg faithful at the final whistle could be heard back in Páirc Barróg. What a game what a performance from all the players on both sides it was a pleasure to witness the efforts of all the players. Players to shine more than most in this encounter were Jason Byrne who cracked in with a beauty of a goal and hooked and blocked well for the entire game. Rory Keogh was seen to good effect with neat flicks all over the park. Yet again George (Pockets) Boder and the Bronco coped with all Isles could throw at the team and Karl Brady cleaned up in the backs yet again. Thou shall not pass backline of Josh Rooney, Jayson Moriarty and Jordan Beveridge held the Isles’ forwards at bay and with Killian Costello, Eoin Forbes and Killian Hickey teasing the Isles’ backs with neat play the team were on their way to the final for the second year in a row for the club. No mean achievement for the age span of the team.

The opponents in the final were Na Fianna, the only team that beat the Braves in the entire day’s hurling. After a cracking goal from Bronco (Haircut 2000) Dennis we started well, alas the gigantic efforts of the extra time in the semi final against Erin’s Isle began to take its toll and even the introduction of Ciarán Forbes (a giant of a man from the under 9’s) with ten minutes to go could not put a stop to the Na Fianna gallop. Na Fianna were worthy winners. Naomh Barróg players went to receive their runners up medals led by captain fantastic Brian (Bronco) Dennis with their heads held high and with happy hearts.

It was a fantastic example of team work from mentors and players that the entire club should be proud of.

Best goal keeper of the tournament Josh (the blond bombshell) Rooney

Best fullback of the tournament Jason (the quiet man) Moriarty

Best performance by a captain Brian (Bronco Haircut 2000) Dennis

Best midfielder of the tournament George (Pockets) Boder

The following mentors were super leaders on the day: Joe Forbes, Dean O’Reilly, Dave Moriarty, Garry Cunningham and Jim Forbes all put in a shift above and beyond the call of duty.

The following players represented the club with distinction in the Alan Creegan tournament.

* Under 12’s Brian Dennis, George Boder, Killian Costello, Jordan Beveridge, Karl Brady, The under 11’s Josh Rooney, Jason Moriarty, Conor McLoughlin, Killian Hickey, Chris Dunne, Rory Keogh, Jason Byrne, under 10’s Eoin Forbes, under 9’s Ciarán Forbes.

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