U21 Super 11’s hurling tournament

Last Bank holiday Monday in the glorious sunshine in Rostellan, we held the 1st ever U21 hurling tournament using the Super 11’s format. This is an 11 a side competition with rolling subs and along with some other differences the main one is that only goals count, so plenty of goal mouth action was guaranteed. 4 teams took part in the tournament – Aghada, St. Colmans, Fr. O’Neills and Sarsfields. Each team played each other in a round robin format, and at the end of that section it was O’Neills and Sars that had qualified for the final. That those two teams had drawn their round robin game, meant it was certainly all to play for in the final. After a close 1st half, O’Neills really drove on in the 2nd period and with Cillian Broderick giving a man of the match performance they ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Cillian Broderick as captain, was presented with the winner’s trophy by Tommy Foley. The trophy itself was put up by Jacko’s Bar in Ballinacurra so thanks to Nena for that. Fr O’Neills also took away 120 sliothars sponsored by Dwane Sliothars (thanks Ronan). Cillian completed his haul when he was presented with his man of the match trophy by John Motherway. This trophy was sponsored by Martin Coleman Wood Carvers Ballinhassig.

Overall it was a very successful tournament. 7 superb and fast paced games of hurling, a massive 67 goals in total scored and you could treble that number to count spectacular saves made on the day. Great credit to Trevor O’Keeffe who came up with and organised the idea. Thanks to Ronan Dwane also for his help with the organisation and to Patrick O’Driscoll, John Motherway, Maurice Rice and Pat O’Connell who had the grounds prepared and in perfect order for the tournament. Thanks to referees – Willie Wallace, Brian Walsh and Cathal McAllister who officiated on the day. Well done to all involved, hopefully it can become an annual event.