UNDER 14s COLLECT ARMAGH LEAGUE TITLE AFTER IMPRESSIVE VICTORY OVER CRAOBH CHIARÁIN!

Naomh Colum Cille 7-14

Craobh Chiaráin 0-04

Our under 14 hurlers secured their first silverware of the year this evening (27/07/26), collecting the Armagh league title at Sherry’s Field in Armagh city after an impressive performance against Middletown/Derrynoose combination Craobh Chiaráin. 

NCC were well on their guard coming into this fixture as Chraobh Chiaráin had inflicted an earlier league defeat on them a few weeks back and so were determined to put in a better performance this time round. 

The Black and Red started the game well and had opened up a 0-04 to 0-01 lead by the tenth minute with scores from Kylan Preece (0-01), Tommy O’Neill and Arnie Abaraviçius (0-01) in response to a well hit Joe McConnell point from play for Craobh Chiarán. 

A well struck Kylan Preece penalty that rattled the net at the Cathedral end of the field midway through the opening period introduced some much needed breathing space between the sides and as the young Cilles’ defence repelled a few threatening opposition attacks, a slew of unanswered points off the hurleys of Kylan Preece (0-03), Tommy O’Neill (0-01), Aodhan Donnelly (0-01) and Arnie Abaraviçius (0-01) were bookended by the score of the half as a sweeping field length move was expertly dispatched to the rigging by that man again Kylan Preece to leave us sitting fifteen points clear and in a commanding position (2-10 to 0-01) with five minutes of the half left to play. 

Craobh Chiaráin, to their credit, had the last word of the first half as a well struck free in the twenty eighth minute brought the scoring to a close before referee Niall Clifford sounded the short whistle. 

Half time score:

NCC 2-10

 Craobh Chiaráin 0-02

The second half began slowly as the scores were hard to come by with the first, a pointed free for the Craobh Chiaráin lads, sailing over the NCC crossbar with 39 minutes on the clock. 

NCC full forward Tommy O’Neill tapped over a nice point less than a minute later to restore his side’s lead before a further Craobh Chiarán point in the forty third minute gave the Black and Red defence some food for thought!

Kylan Preece, operating now at full forward,    then went on a second half goal scoring spree and by the fifty seventh minute had amassed an impressive further five goals to bring his tally for the evening to 7-04!

More points from Tommy O’Neill, Arnie Abaraviçius and an excellent score from impressive wing back Conor Coney brought the curtain down on a powerful NCC team performance and a well deserved Armagh league winning display. 

All that was left was for NCC joint captains Aodhan Donnelly and Arnie Abaraviçius to accept the trophy on behalf of their team from Armagh Youth Hurling secretary Rory McConnell. 

Despite the large winning margin, there were periods for concern for the NCC team and defence in particular, especially in the opening quarter as a series of dangerous Craobh Chiaráin attacks had to be dealt with to keep the scoreboard reading in our favour. 

Cormac Mór hurled rightly between the sticks throughout the game and was on hand to keep out a few goalscoring chances in the first half when the game was in the melting pot as well as providing a solid launchpad for plenty of NCC attacks with his long, accurate puckouts and relieving clearances. 

Conan Kelly was stoic at full back with his forceful play and picking ability doing much to quell the opposition from beginning to end. He had able wing men in the shape of our two corner backs, the fleet footed Cathal McCloy at number two and the no nonsense approach from PJ Coyle making sure things stayed quiet in the opposite corner. 

Our half back line hurled well as a collective unit on the night as well with the impressive Matthew Forgie anchoring things from his centre half back berth with his high fielding and crisp striking ability winning the praise of plenty of sideline observers. Conor Coney hurled the number five jersey off of his back all evening with his plucky play, sweet striking and sound aerial ability being rewarded after he struck the last score of the evening. Oisín McCann completed this impressive line at 7 with his usual dogged and bullish display ensuring that the opposition score count was kept to a minimum. 

Our midfield duo of Aodhan Donnelly and Arnie Abaraviçius worked well together for the full hour as both lads kept a steady supply of ball to our forwards from first whistle to last. They both contributed to the scoring stakes as well with Aodhan floating over a lovely first half point from play and Arnie doing his bit with three fine points of his own. 

Our forward division worked well together and had mainly to thank our twin scoring threats of Kylan Preece and Tommy O’Neill for ensuring that the trophy would be wintering in East Tír Eoghain. Tommy struck five lovely points with scorer in chief Kylan accounting for an impressive 7-04 throughout the game!

Martin O’Farrell, at number ten, was his usual industrious self and hurled impressively around the middle third. His cousin Shea O’Farrell on the opposite wing showed flashes throughout as did corner men James McCourt and Proinsias O’Neill who both kept their opposite numbers on their toes with their darting runs and impressive movements doing much to open up the space for our more physical, capable scorers!

NCC were well served on the sideline with Michael McKeown, Niall Quinn, Orestas Kostrubas, Jude Quinn, Daire Robinson, Aodhan Shields, Kaiden Dubh O’Neill, Caiden Gleann O’Neill, Tomás Kirwan, Aaron Quinn and Shea Hughes each playing their part on the night. 

This title was well received by our players, management team and the many parents, grandparents and NCC supporters that travelled to the Cathedral City this evening to offer their voice in support of the Black and Red. 

NCC are proud of each of our young hurlers for the way they’ve conducted themselves throughout the Armagh league campaign and we wish them well as they face into the rest of the season and the upcoming Tír Eoghain competitions. 

Many thanks are in order also to the Craobh Chiaráin team for their sporting performance and to the Armagh hurling fraternity for allowing us to take part in the competition. 

Foireann NCC: Cormac Mór Ó Néill, Cathal McCloy, Conan Kelly, PJ Coyle, Conor Coney (0-01), Matthew Forgie Ó Néill, Oisín McCann, Aodhan Donnelly (c) (0-01), Arnie Abaraviçius (c) (0-03, 0-01 free), Martin O’Farrell, Kylan Preece (7-04, 1-00 pen, 0-01 free), Shea O’Farrell, Proinsias Ó Néill, Tommy O’Neill (0-05, 0-01 free), James McCourt

Fir Ionaid: Michael McKeown, Niall Quinn, Orestas Kostrubas, Jude Quinn, Daire Robinson, Aidan Shields, Kaiden Dubh O’Neill, Caiden Gleann O’Neill, Tomás Kirwan, Aaron Quinn, Shea Hughes

An Fhoireann Bhainistíochta: Paul Donnelly, Paddy O’Farrell agus Joe Mór

Réiteoir: Niall Clifford (Cúchulainn)

NCC Abú!
 

Rinne ár n-iománaithe faoin 14 cinnte de go mbeadh an chéad earra airgid den bhliain acu anocht (27/07/26), agus sraith Ard Mhacha bainte acu ar Pháirc Mhic Shearraigh i gCathair Ard Mhacha tar éis taispeántas den scoth a thabhairt in éadan Chraobh Chiaráin, fhoireann chomhnasctha Choillidh Chanannáin agus Dhoire Núis.

Bheadh NCC ar a gcoimhéad go maith ag dul isteach sa chluiche seo mar chloígh Craobh Chiaráin orthu sa tsraith roinnt seachtainí ó shin, agus mar sin bhí siad diongbháilte fá thaispeántas níos fearr a thabhairt an t-am seo.

Thosaigh na Dubha agus na Dearga go maith agus bhí siad 0-04 go 0-01 chun tosaigh faoin deichiú mbomaite le scóir ó Chaolán Prís (0-01), Tomaí Ó Néill agus Arnie Abaraviçius (0-01) mar fhreagairt ar phointe breá a scóráil Jó Mac Conaill ó imirt do Chraobh Chiaráin.

Chuir an saorphoc ó Chaolán Prís, a bhuail an eangach ag ceann an Ardeaglaise sa chéad leath, spás idir na foirne. Agus leis an t-aonad cosanta ag na Cilles óga ag cur i gcoinne ionsaithe contúirteacha ón fhoireann eile, tháinig ráig de chúilíní gan freagra ó chamáin Chaolán Prís (0-03), Tomaí Ó Néill (0-01), Aodhán Ó Donnghaile (0-01) agus Arnie Abaraviçius (0-01). Mar bharr ar an iomlán ansin, d’aimsigh an fear céanna, Caolán Prís, an scór ab fhearr sa leath nuair a chuir sé críoch iontach le gluaiseach fud fad na páirce isteach i gcúl na heangaí. D'fhág sin muid cúig phointe dhéag chun tosaigh agus greim láidir againn ar an chluiche (2-10 go 0-01) agus cúig nóiméad fágtha sa chéad leath.

Thug Craobh Chiaráin, mar ab fhiú dóibh, an focal deireanach sa chéad leath nuair a bhuail siad saorphoc sa seachtú nóiméad fichead a chuir críoch leis an scóráil sular shéid an réiteoir Niall Ó Clúmháin an fheadóg le haghaidh an bhriseadh.

Scór leath-am:

NCC 2-10

 Craobh Chiaráin 0-02

Thosaigh an dara leath go mall agus bhí sé doiligh scóir a fháil. Ba é an chéad scór eile pointe saorphoc do Chraobh Chiaráin a chuaigh thar an trasnán agus 39 bomaite ar an chlog.

Tapaíodh pointe breá ag lán-tosach NCC, Tomaí Ó Néill, níos lú ná nóiméad ina dhiaidh sin le cabhrú lena fhoireann a bheith chun tosaigh arís sular thug pointe eile ó Chraobh Chiaráin sa tríú nóiméad ceathracha ábhar machnaimh do chosaint na nDubh agus na nDearg!

D'imigh Caolán Prís, a bhí ag imirt mar lán-tosach anois, ar ruaig scórála sa dara leath agus faoin seachtú nóiméad caoga bhí cúig chúl eile bailithe aige - 7-04 d’aimsithe aige mar iomlán den oíche!

Chuir cúilíní breise ó Tomaí Ó Néill, Arnie Abaraviçius agus scór iontach ón leathchúlaí chlé sár-éifeachtach Conchúr Ó Cuana críoch leis an taispeántas láidir seo ó fhoireann NCC agus chroch siad leo Teideal na Sraithe Ard Mhacha don chéad uair riamh agus go lán-tuillte.

Ní raibh fágtha le déanamh ach ag comh-chaptaein NCC, Aodhán Ó Donnghaile agus Arnie Abaraviçius, an corn a ghlacadh thar ceann na foirne ó Rúnaí Iománaíochta Óige Ard Mhacha, Ruairí Mac Conaill

In ainneoin an bhearna mhóir ar an scórchlár, bhí amanta ann a raibh cúis imní ann d'fhoireann NCC agus don chosaint ach go háirithe, go háirithe sa chéad cheathrú uaire nuair a bhí orthu deileáil le sraith d'ionsaithe contúirteacha ó Chraobh Chiaráin le cinntiú go raibh an scórchlár ar thaobh NCC.

D'imir Cormac Mór go breá idir na cuaillí le linn an chluiche ar fad agus bhí sé ann le roinnt deiseanna cúil a shábháil sa chéad leath nuair a bhí an cluiche sa mheascán. Thairis sin, d'fheidhmigh sé mar ardán iontach d'neart ionsaithe ag NCC lena chuid pocanna amach fada, cruinne agus lena ghlanadh faoiseamh.

Bhí Conán Ó Ceallaigh diongbháilte mar lán-chúlaí lena imirt chróga agus lena chumas ag piocadh suas an sliotair, rud a rinne a lán chun gaisce an fhreasúra a chosc ó thús go deireadh. Bhí fir choirnéil chumasacha aige le taobh an ghualainn – Cathal Mac Luaidh ag uimhir a dó a bhí lúfar ar a chosa, agus PS Mac Giolla Chomhaill nach raibh aon seafóid lena chur chuige san choirnéal eile a chinntigh go raibh rudaí ciúin san áit sin.

D'imir ár líne leath-chúil go maith mar aonad le chéile ar an oíche. Bhí Maitiú Ó Néill (Feargus) fíormhaith mar lán-chúlaí  ag stiúradh rudaí lena cumas ceapadh san aer agus a bhuillí snoite ón chamán a bhain moladh a lán ag breithniú ón taobhlíne. D'imir Conchúr Ó Cuana go sár-mhaith ar feadh na hoíche, ag bualadh an sliotair go milis agus ag taispeáin a chumas san aer. Fuair sé an scór deireanach den oíche de bharr ar na gáisce. Chuir Oisín Mac Cana an líne seo i gcrích ag uimhir a 7 lena thaispeántas docht daingean díograiseach a chinntigh gurbh fhéidir scór an fhreasúra a choinneáil chomh híseal agus ab fhéidir.

D'oibrigh ár mbeirt lár na páirce, Aodhán Ó Donnghaile agus Arnie Abaraviçius, go maith le chéile don uair an chloig ar fad, mar gur choinnigh an dá fhear soláthar seasmhach liathróide ag dul isteach chuig ár dtosaithe ó thús go deireadh. Chuidigh siad beirt sa scóráil chomh maith, le pointe álainn Aodháin ó imirt sa chéad leath agus Arnie le trí phointe bhreá dá chuid féin.

D'oibrigh ár roinn tosach go maith le chéile agus bhí ar an chuid is mó acu buíochas a ghabháil le cúpla fear scórála s’againn, Caolán Prís agus Tomaí Ó Néill, as a chinntiú go mbeadh an corn ag caitheamh an gheimhridh in Oirthear Thír Eoghain. Bhuail Tomaí cúig phointe áille agus taispeántas éachtach scórála Chaolán a d’aimsigh 7-04 in iomlán an chluiche!

Bhí Máirtín Ó Fearghail, ag uimhir a deich, an-dúilúil sa hobair mar is gnáth agus d'imir sé go hiontach thart ar an tríú cuid lárnach. D’imir a chol ceathrar Sé Ó Fearghail go héifeachtach ar an chliathán eile chomh maith le fir na gcoirnéal Séamus Mac Cuarta agus Proinsias O Néill ag coinneáil fir an fhreasúra ar a n-aird lena ruathair agus lena ngluaiseacht a rinne go leor spás a oscailt dár scóraitheora níos fisiciúla agus níos cumasaí!

Bhí ionadaithe NCC ina lán-tacaí don fhoireann ón taobhlíne fosta le Micheál Mac Eoin, Niall Ó Cuinn, Orestas Kostrubas, Jude Ó Cuinn, Dáire Mac Róibín, Aodhán Ó Siadhail, Caiden Dubh Ó Néill, Caiden Gleann Ó Néill, Tomás Ó Ciardhubháin, Aaron Ó Cuinn agus Sé Ó hAodha ag imirt a bpáirt ar an oíche.

Bhí fáilte mhór roimh an chorn ónár n-imreoirí, ón fhoireann bhainistíochta agus leis an iomad tuismitheoirí, seantuismitheoirí agus lucht tacaíochta NCC a thaisteal go Cathair an Ardeaglaise le guth tacaíochta a thabhairt do na Dubha agus na Dearga.

Tá NCC bródúil as gach duine dár n-iománaithe óga as an dóigh a iompair siad féin  le linn an fheachtais sraithe Ard Mhacha agus guímid gach rath orthu agus iad ag tabhairt aghaidh ar an chuid eile den tséasúr agus comórtais Thír Eoghain le teacht.

Gabhann muid buíochas mór fosta le foireann Chraobh Chiaráin as a dtaispeántas spórtúil agus le pobal iománaíochta Ard Mhacha as ligean dúinn páirt a ghlacadh sa chomórtas.