All roads led to Tallanstown on Saturday evening as the Roche U17s took on Baile Taluin in a 'winner takes all' match. A much coveted semi final berth was at stake for both teams. 

The home side started the better and raced into a 1:6 to 0:02 lead by the first water break. A few positional changes allowed the Roche lads to gain parity around the middle of the field and allowed them to gain a foothold in the match. Some dogged tackling and harrying by the lads gave them the opportunities to chip away at the lead and when a scything run by John Hodgers split the defence, Andy McKay was on hand to punch the ball to the net. Roche built on the momentum shift and a couple of delicious DD Reilly points coupled with a barnstorming score from Sean Connolly had the deficit down to two points at the break (1:09 to 1:07).

The match was delicately balanced as the teams traded scores after the break and two wonderful team scores from James Corcoran and Ryan Martin tied up the match. A very unlucky break in the Roche rearguard then allowed the hosts to notch a goal and unfortunately another one quickly followed. This effectively ended the match as a contest and although the Roche lads continued to gamely battle to the end, it wasn't to be their day. 

Final score Bail Taluin 4:12 Roche 1:11.

This ended the U17s season for the year and on reflection both the management and teams were proud of their effort throughout the year and feel the challenge of the 'A' division will have improved the squad. The group gave a rousing round of applause to both U17 players, Callum Grant and John Hodgers,  for their efforts this year whereas there is still an U16 competition to be completed for the rest.