Derrylin 7-9 Enniskillen 3-2

The U12 B team lost the Div 5 semi final at the host club on Saturday Morning. The scoreline does not do justice to the Gaels side who battled bravely throughout and were only trailing by 6 points with ten minutes remaining. A late burst of goals for the home team put a gloss on the scoreline as the Gaels chased the game in the final quarter.

The first half of this game was a very even affair, the first point from Headon Hughes Jordan after neat build up from John Reihill. In fact John was a constant worry for the opposition defence with three different markers over the hour. John himself was next on the scoresheet when his free deceived the goalkeeper on the line. The Derrylin team did have lots of the ball in attack but a tendency of trying for goals left them frustrated by an in form Enniskillen defence for whom Phelim Sweeney was outstanding during his spell between the posts. In front of him Pierce Martin, Conor Miller and Aidan McKenna formed a tight marking full back line. After a series of wides the Derrylin side finally broke through for a goal and point to even up the scores. Enniskillen replied and another John Reihill point after being released by Conor McGurn left the Gaels ahead midway through. However the bigger Derrylin lads were now finding form and hit a purple patch up to half time and went in at the break 2-3 to 1-2 ahead.

The second half, bar the last ten when Derrylin pulled away was much like the first, the play was end to end. In the half back line Ronan Maguire cleaned up of break ball and the raiding Ethan Butler pushed forward at every advantage. In the middle Darragh Keaney and Headon Hughes Jordan more than held their own over their bigger opponents. John Reihill continued his scoring form and another two goals from himself punctuated a couple more from Derrylin. Patrick Cassidy and Eoin Donnelly in the central forward positions were now seeing more penetration as the teams tired some but great play from the Derrylin full back time and again thwarted the Gaels efforts. With Adam McShea and the two Aarons, Simpson and Dillon now getting more on the ball it looked like the Gaels could mount a challenge on the Derrylin lead, but with only the one sub and Tom Hughes Jordan now withdrawn the Derrylin team finished stronger and dersevedly won the game as their better finishing told in the end.

This ends the competetive season for the U12 B team, but with the Autumn coaching scheme starting in October, and the vast majority of the team underage next year, their experiences this year will hold to them in the future.

Enniskillen Panel: Phelim Sweeney, Conor Miller, Pierce Martin, Aidan McKenna, Conor McGurn, Ronan Maguire, Ethan Butler, Darragh Keaney, Headon Hughes Jordan, John Reihill, Eoin Donnelly, Adam McShea, Tom Hughes Jordan, Patrick Cassidy, Aaron Simpson, Aaron Dillon.