Longwood’s U13 hurlers may have come up short in yesterday’s League Final but it certainly wasn’t down to lack of effort or commitment. The boys gave their all from the first whistle to the last and they can take immense pride in their performance.

The game was played in extremely blustery conditions with Longwood playing into the teeth of the wind for the opening half. If that wasn’t enough to deal with, Kiltale delivered an additional whirlwind! Little over sixty seconds had elapsed and Longwood found themselves trailing by four points thanks mainly to a goal straight from the throw-in. The large home support could have been forgiven for fearing the worst.

To their credit, the boys steadied the ship and rallied courtesy of two pointed frees, expertly converted by Jonah Furlong and William Phillips.

Longwood were now very much in the game but, alas, the injury gods were to intervene. Within a five-minute period, Longwood would lose their pivotal centre-back Ronan Greene and midfield general Rian Duffy. Ronan was eventually able to return to the fray after some prolonged medical treatment. Rian was not so fortunate and required a hospital visit for a shoulder x-ray. His loss was immense given his physical presence against such a strong opponent.

Kiltale seized the initiative and scored two goals and a point in the second quarter. The second goal was somewhat fortuitous as a shot for a point resulted in the sliotar dropping inches beneath the crossbar and ending up in the net.

Again, Longwood responded with Jonah Furlong scrambling a loose ball to the Kiltale net to keep the dream alive. Kiltale completed the scoring in the opening half with a point from play to take a seven-point lead into the break.

Half-time: Longwood 1-2 Kiltale 3-3

Longwood would need a strong start to the second half and it materialised after just three minutes with the ever-industrious James Cully raising a green flag to the delight of the home crowd.

The next ten minutes would prove crucial. Both teams worked hard but for no reward on the scoreboard. Longwood pushed and pushed but, try as they might, they couldn’t reduce the deficit to one score.

Finally, the stalemate was broken by Kiltale who pushed on and registered the final three points of the game. They ran out deserving winners in the end.

Longwood: Graeme Loughlin, Sean Lee, Noel Gill, Rian Holton, Ronan Greene, Dean Phillips, Rian Duffy, Henrik Peciuzyte, James Cully (1-0), Conor Dorran, Sean Kelly, Jonah Furlong (1-1), William Phillips (0-1). Subs: Patrick Nichlson, Sam Bacon, Patrick Cully, Cian Dixon, Brendan Nicholson, Lar Giles, Kaylem McCormack.

The Longwood boys gave it absolutely everything. Graeme Loughlin performed with great credit in goals, throwing in a few trademark solo runs for good measure. Noel Gill and Sean Lee combined to great effect in the full back line. The half back line of Rian Holton, Ronan Greene and Dean Phillips displayed a huge appetite for work and hurled like demons for the duration. Henrik Peciuzyte carried the fight to his opponent with great determination and courage, particularly when his midfield partner Rian Duffy had to leave the field. The forward line which comprised at various times of James Cully, Conor Dorran, Sean Kelly, Sam Bacon, Patrick Nicholson, Jonah Furlong and William Phillips caused plenty of problems for a physically advantaged Kiltale defence and deserved more for their efforts. Not forgetting the younger members of our panel – Patrick Cully, Cian Dixon, Brendan Nicholson and Lar Giles – who are sure to benefit from the experience they have gained this season.

The pain of defeat will sting for a while but eventually it will drive these boys and their coaches on for the future. When they look back on the season – 10 games played, 9 victories and just one defeat – they will realise that they have taken an enormous step forward. All the more laudable when we remember that they moved up to Division 2 for this season.

So well done to all the players, you have given us great entertainment for the season and we can’t wait to see you all back in action again next year.

Thanks to our fantastic coaches, Jim and Enda for your unwavering commitment to our young hurlers. To take an U13 team to the League Final in three consecutive years is a fantastic achievement. We look forward to seeing the fruits of your labours in the years ahead as these boys progress through the ranks.

Thanks to all the parents and supporters who turned out to cheer on the team yesterday and throughout the season. You should be very proud of these young boys, they represented Longwood with skill, pride and passion. We can ask for nothing more.

Maigh Dearmhaí abú!