Roche's battling bunch of U10s showed a steely resolve that defied their tender years by claiming silverware at the recent Crossmaglen Rangers tournament.

Having just missed out on a place in the Cup knockout round, the boys in blue came through an exhausting Shield section, comprising four 'do or die' encounters, in winning their first title in the famous royal blue.

Calling on the spirit of the club's 1991 minor championship victory, there was a McCourt and McKeown involved - only this time Martin was pacing the sideline, instead of trying to put opposition players over it, while the shots were still being called by a member of the McKeown family, Elaine following in father Mickey's footsteps! Noddy Norton brought at element of sanity to the selection committee…

The group games were tough but Emmets held their own. A 2-0 to 0-6 draw with Ballymacnab (Armagh) preceded a triumph against Tyrone outfit Beragh on a 0-3 to 0-0 scoreline. Unfortunately, however, another Orchard club, Carrickcruppen, got the better of the boys in blue, 2-2 to no-score, as Faughart Parishioners missed out on a Cup crack on score difference.

But Roche's 2012 borns weren't for packing up and heading home for the tea. Eskra Emmets (Tyrone) were no match for the our lads in the last 16, 1-3 to 0-0, while our Armagh neighbours, Culloville Blues, were left pale blue by another Roche rampage in the quarter-final, 3-3 to 1-1.

The semi-final was a thriller. Well-known Tyrone club Moy were the opposition. They have produced such All-Ireland winners as Seán Cavanagh, Colm Cavanagh, Ryan Mellon and Philip Jordan in the past, but they were of no benefit against Roche's band of brothers. A thrilling last four fixture was 0-4 a piece at full-time but Emmets' superior conditioning, accumulated from months of conditioning in the club gym, a warm-weather training camp in Lurgankeel and a healthy supply of ice-lollies from The Hatch, stood to the royal blues in extra-time. Two of the three points in the additional spell were hit by Roche and that was enough to book a decider date against our old friends with the Red Hands, Beragh.

And, with the minimum of fuss, Emmets took care of matters, 0-5 to two. Grinning like Cheshire cats, Roche were presented with the Michael McConville Shield, leaving as they came, in convoy, through Malachi's and Kilkerley territory on the way back to God's country.

A sweet one - well done to all.

Back row L-R Shay Sullivan, Calvin Mc Court ,Tiernan Ward,Mark Mc Court,Jack O Hare, Dominik Borocz, Ronan Norton, Aidan Corcoran, Front row L-R Evan Duffy, Darragh Mc Court,Liam Curtis, Alfie Murdock,Cillian Farrlley,Darren Murray,Sean Douglas,Ryan Keenan