​Lismore U13 team give everything but leave empty handed

The Lismore U13 team put in a colossal effort to try and overcome a well fancied Ballygunner team last Wednesday evening in Bushy Park.  The county semi-final was between two teams that had both topped their respective groups and was tipped to be a county final of sorts. The open draw meant that their fate was to be determined at the last four stage. Names like Hartley, Cooney and Fives would send shivers down the spines of other teams but the black and amber boys stood up like they have so many times in the past and met this particular challenge with tenacity and work rate right to the final whistle. Ballygunner started strongly with points from placed balls and play but Lismore settled right back into the game with some glorious free taking from Ben Cummins. It was a nip tuck affair with no clear winner in sight. It was the Gunners who broke the stalemate with a goal in the third quarter.  Lismore immediately responded by changing tactics and brought on super-sub Tadgh Ormonde, small in stature but big in heart, Tadgh swept a breaking ball in the square to the back of the Ballygunner net and suddenly we were only three points down. Was there a major upset on the cards? Push as we may, the Gunners defence remained solid and that upset never came. This was a match that had everything and it was such a shame that spectator numbers were limited to only 30 due to restrictions. Gate receipts would have been at an all time high at Bushy Park. Well done to both teams for providing some fantastic hurling. The skill level was above and beyond what one would expect from an U13 match. Divison 1 hurling is alive and well in Waterford and Lismore are in the mix competing with the best. Thanks to all the players and mentors for what was a short but exciting few weeks.  Final score; Ballygunner 1-14 Lismore 1-10.  Team: Adam Cummins, Tiernan O'Keeffe, Tom O'Sullivan (Capt), Joshua Kiely, Hugo Quann, Dylan Cunningham, David O'Farrell, Kealan Dunne, Iarlaith Meagher, Dara O' Brien, Logan Ardern, Ben Cummins, Rian O'Dwyer.  Subs used: Tadgh Ormonde for Logan Ardern, Ethan King for Rian O'Dwyer.