Roche Emmets 1-8 Geraldines 3-12

The U12 boys (all bar five of whom were U11) gave an excellent account of themselves against league leaders Geraldines at Páirc de Róiste on Saturday afternoon.

Indeed, it was a day where everything possible went wrong with injuries to Shay Carolan, James Curtis and Zachary Connolly seeing the boys in blue reduced to 12 players at various stages, while the team’s configuration was altered significantly from the one which was causing the boisterous visitors no end of problems.

Having got off to a shaky start, Roche grew into proceedings and kicked some wonderful points – Harry Treacy, Conor Douglas, Carolan (2) and Zachary Connolly (2) – to take the lead approaching half-time.

Gerry Kirk was having a stormer in the Emmets goals, beating allcomers away and finding his outfielders with pinpoint deliveries. Unfortunately, though, with Kirk having pulled off two fine stops earlier in the affair, Geraldines struck for a three-pointer right on half-time to move 1-5 to 0-6 in front.

With such positional upheaval, Roche lost their way for part of the second period, falling further behind, but a rally of points from Treacy, Peter McArdle and Lorcan McArdle’s goal was due reward for their pleasing effort.

All-in-all, management were delighted with how such a young, physically-light team acquitted themselves – Kirk was a star between the sticks and later played well at full-forward; Paul Reilly and Seán McEneaney had arguably their best games of the year at the back; Curtis had a powerful match at full-back, ripping out and clearing his lines, while also pulling off a save of the century contender when manning the goalline.

Karl Reilly’s reading of the game and passing up the wing was pinpoint, to the right of Adam McGuinness, who played out of his skin in preventing the Geraldines danger men from entering the scoring zone – his tackling, physicality and then passing were top-class.

Carolan was ruling the roost at midfield until sustaining a knock, but when re-introduced at No6, he forced the Gers back with driving runs forward having won the ball back. Peter McArdle’s ball-handling was crisp at centre-field, as was his delivery, while he played a key part in Lorcan McArdle’s goal.

The half-forward line was vibrant, it hummed from the throw-in – Treacy’s trademark drop of the shoulder forging many scoring opportunities, two of which he took himself; Connolly was just omnipresent, his game intelligence and awareness standing out when moved to midfield; JJ McArdle was the kick-out outlet and often delivered incisive passes over the top.

Conor Douglas served as the team’s focal point at full-forward, and very effectively too. He showed well and linked the play, kicking an impressive point prior to reverting to full-back. Meanwhile, Lorcan McArdle got a deserved goal having battled against the odds all day – his handling caught the eye.

Roche: Gerry Kirk; James Curtis, Paul Reilly; Karl Reilly, Adam McGuinness, Seán McEneaney; Shay Carolan (0-2), Peter McArdle (0-1, free); Harry Treacy (0-2, one free), Zachary Connolly (0-2), JJ McArdle; Lorcan McArdle (1-0), Conor Douglas (0-1)

Referee: Damien Connor (St. Patrick’s)

Picture taken after an earlier game.