GAA | Roche Emmets GFC News | 250617

U14s book Division 2B derby final showdown

The Roche Emmets U14 team ran out comfortable 9–11 to 2–9 winners against Glyde/Westerns/Sean McDermotts in the U14 Division U14 2B semi-final last Monday night.

Roche began well, hitting some early scores but the contest soon evened up and the visitors took a 2–9 to 2–2 lead in at the break.

The resumption of the second half provided Roche with the breeze and sun on their backs. Boosted by the return of Niall Lennon following injury, Roche powered away from the opposition to qualify for the Division 2B final against neighbours Kilkerley/Malachi’s which will take place next Monday in Darver.

Neil McCarron had an excellent game, making some very good kick outs and pulling off some breathtaking saves while James McDonald and Killian McKay stood out in an improving defensive six of Mark McArdle, Jack McKay, K McKay, James Toal, J McDonald and Dylan Lindsey.

Killian Carroll produced a powerful and controlling display with his midfield partner Mikey McCourt putting in a strong second half performance.

The forward line of Mark Byrne, Daire Reilly, Niall Lennon, Gabriel Cleary, Gavin Gilmore and Fionnan McGurk were going well until the injury to Lennon but excelled in the second half with Byrne, Lennon and Gilmore impressively scoring at will.

Reilly controlled things with an impressive range of passes and McGurk won plenty of possession.

The introduction of Callum Grant, Barry Griffin and Oran Byrne added to Roche’s momentum with Grant being most involved in the play and Griffin scoring a cracking goal with his first involvement in play.

They enter the final as under dogs but with quiet confidence of causing an upset. Scorers: Gavin Gilmore 3–3, Niall Lennon 2–5; Mark Byrne 3–1; Barry Griffin 1–0; Daire Reilly and Calum Grant 0–1 each.

U8 team

The Roche U8s played two 20-minute matches against Naomh Fionnbarra and Seán McDermotts last Sunday. All players did brilliant with some excellent scores.

On Wednesday, the U8s competed in the all-county blitz in Darver. Playing three matches, all 20 minutes long, the kids were exhausted come the end and all got loads of game time in all matches.

Roche played really well throughout with some brilliant link up play. A special mention to Cara and Tegan who linked up brilliantly for Tegan to score her first goal for Roche.

Well done to players, mentors and supporters!

U13s acquit themselves well in first outing

The U13s had their maiden outing for 2017 on Thursday, when they hosted St Pat’s in a challenge match. The Lordship side will be one of Roche’s opponents when Division Two begins on July 5th.

The match started at a very fast pace with both teams mounting attack after attack in a very keenly contested first half.

Roche got into the scoring groove early and were deserving seven-point leaders at half time, on a score of 2–5 to 1–1.

Five separate Roche players scored in the first half, and had it not been for some great defending by the Pat’s, they might have been further ahead at the interval.

The Faughart side’s defence gave very little away in this first half and turned over possession several times through resolute tackling.

The second half started with Pat’s on top and they wiped out Roche’s seven-point advantage within five minutes. From there on in, the game was very tight with never more than a point or two in it. Some well taken points on both sides were a pleasure to watch.

In the last five minutes, Pat’s scored the telling scores and although Roche fought bravely until the end, they let several chances go a begging and were beaten by four points.

Overall, the hosts can be happy with their first outing and proved they will be competitive in Division Two. It was a pleasure to see so many of the club’s U12 squad playing so well in the higher age group, and gives the club confidence for the campaign ahead.

Division Five game

The Division Five match against St Mochta’s was cancelled on Friday night.

U11s locked with the O’Mahony’s

Roche U11’s played their first home match of the season against Seán O’Mahonys on Friday evening.

Roche started brilliantly and quickly raced into a 3–1 to 0–1 lead and were controlling the game from defence right through to the forwards.

In the second half, the O’Mahony’s found their rhythm and fought back to go six points clear with only three minutes left but two goals saw Roche snatch a deserved draw.

Well done to both teams on a brilliantly fought game played in the right spirit.

U12s head north for tournament

The Roche U12 lads headed north on Saturday morning to Ballyholland where 12 teams were entered in a very well organised tournament.

The lads had 15 players in the squad which resulted in everyone getting plenty of game time.

Roche played very well in their group matches, winning three, drawing two and losing one. Their results pitched them against the hosts in the Shield semi-final.

After a titanic battle, the lads in blue and white came out on the wrong side of a one-point loss.

Overall, the day was a great success as these tournaments provide a great opportunity to for the lads to play more matches together.

Next up for the squad is their Division One match away to the Newtown Blues on Monday

Upcoming Club Fixtures

Monday, June 26th
Roche Emmets host U9 round five fixtures, 6.45pm
U12 Division One
Newtown Blues v Roche Emmets, 7.30pm
U14 Division 2B Final
Kilkerley Emmets/Naomh Malachi v Roche Emmets, 8pm

Tuesday, June 27th
Division Three League
Westerns v Roche Emmets, Reaghstown, 8pm

Sunday, July 2nd
U8 Blitz, Naomh Fionnbarra, 11am
Division Three League
Roche Emmets v Naomh Martin, 5pm

Underage Championship Draws

U14 Championship

Roche Emmets, St Fechin’s, O’Raghallaigh’s and Mattock Rangers/Hunterstown Rovers

U16 Championship

Roche Emmets, Dundalk Gaels, Dreadnots and Cooley Kickhams

Minor Championship

Roche Emmets/St Brides, St Mochtas, Ardee St Marys, Wolfe Tones

Family Fun Day

The Roche Emmets Family Fun Day has been postponed for now. New date will be announced for later in the summer.

Cul Camp

The Roche Cul Camp takes place from July 31st-August 4th.

Cupan Tae

Cupan Tae takes place the second Tuesday of every month. The event on Tuesday, June 13th was a great success with lots of new people joining in. Come along and enjoy some conversation, along with a cup of tea with your friends and neighbours from the parish.