Under 12 Hurlers beat Dunloy in Challenge Match

On Sunday morning (22/04/2007) the under 12 hurlers entertained the Dunloy boys for a challenge match in preparation for the new season.  As games are 9 a side in the Derry league & blitzes it gave Swatragh the chance to get a rare 15 a side game at this level.  After starting the match very brightly and with Swatragh controlling proceedings and some good early pressure in the Dunloy half they failed to get any scores on the board.  The first half was a low scoring affair with Dunloy ‘s half forward line starting to come into the game getting three unanswered points and Swatragh hitting back with two of their own just before half-time to leave Dunloy leading by a point at half-time on a scoreline of 0-03 to 0-02. 

With a superb display by all the backs in the first half against the strong breeze Swatragh began the second half where they had left off resuming complete control.  With some excellent displays by Ben Deary & Chrissy O’Kane in the central defensive positions and Tiernan O’Kane & Paddy Bradley controlling the ball at midfield the forwards had a plentiful supply of ball to work with.  With the game still finely balanced Fintan McGurk rifled a shot to the bottom corner of the net from the 21 to give Swatragh the lead for the first time in the game.  From there they never looked back and Paul McAtamney added another good goal shortly after and with the confidence now up the forwards began to take some superb points from further out the field.  With Paul McAtamney & half-time substitute Kieran Lagan causing havoc running at the Dunloy full back line Swatragh quickly added a further three goals. Shortly after Cathal Quinn capped a man of the match display with a fine individual score which was to be the final score of the game. 

The full whistle sounded and the Swatragh boys left the field with a the final score 6-08 to 0-03.  An excellent all round display by everyone on the panel and particularly the fact that they held Dunloy scoreless for most of the game.  A winning start to the new season and confidence ahead of the first round of blitzes scheduled for next weekend.