U12 Roche Emmets Vs Mattock Rangers, 21st April 2023

Our Roche U12 team started off their league campaign with a well-deserved but closely fought 2pt victory in Páirc Máiteoige, Collon, on Friday evening. Every player played their part in the squad, and all gave 110% effort and are a credit to Roche Emmets GFC and their parents. A number of the Roche U12 team are still eligible to play the U11 level. 

Roche started brightly playing into a stiff breeze and battled hard for a 2 point lead at half time, 1-04 to 1-02. First half scorers were Sam McGuinness 1-0, Shay Sullivan, Conor Ward, Ciaran Maguire and Evin Lagan all getting on the scoreboard with 0-1 each. 

A hard fought second half with some brilliant scores and defending from this young team resulted in the win for Roche, 1-11 to 3-3. Second half scorers were Sophie McCabe 0-3, Terry Grier 0-1, Shay Sullivan 0-2 and Ciarán Maguire 0-1.

Darren Murray had his first start between the posts for the U12 team, pulling off some great saves to keep Roche in the game. The full back line with Kate Murphy, Ryan Keenan, Alfie Murdock all worked hard keeping out the opposition. The half back line with Sam McGuinness, Sophie McCabe and Liam Curtis all worked tirelessly and got involved on numerous occasions in attacking movements. The experienced midfield partnership between Lorcan McArdle and Terry Grier worked well and commanded the middle of the field, linking defence with attack. Shay Sullivan, Evin Lagan, Conor Ward making up the half forward line showed determination in some very well worked passing movements resulting in some impressive long range scores. Ciaran Maguire, Shay Dowdall and Jack Murdock making up the full forward line all contributed to the Roche attacks. Jack O'Hare also made an impact when introduced to the full forward line. All players contributed to the first win of the season including all panel members Ronan Norton, Adien Corcoran, Michael Loughran and Tiernan Ward.

This young Roche team showed some great potential for the coming season. Thank you to all the supporters who travelled to support this young team with their first performance of the 2023 season. They now look forward to their next game against Newtown Blues at home on Friday 05 May 2023.

Roche: Darren Murray, Ryan Keenan, Kate Murphy, Alfie Murdock, Liam Curtis, Sam McGuinness (1-0), Sophie McCabe (0-3), Lorcan McArdle, Terry Grier (0-1), Conor Ward (0-1), Evin Lagan (0-1), Shay Sullivan (0-3), Ciarán Maguire (0-2), Shay Dowdall, Jack Murdock, Ronan Norton, Aiden Corcoran, Jack O'Hare, Michael Loughran, Tiernan Ward.