Billy Byrne Cup V Arklow Rocks
20 October, 2008
Bray Senior hurlers plucked defeat from the jaws of victory as they lost the final of the Billy Byrne cup final against a well motivated Arklow Rocks team. In the process they ended their hurling year on a disappointing note. It was a game played on a sunny day but boggy ground - but hey, it was the end of October! Despite missing several key players, Bray made a very good account of themselves in the first half playing against the wind. The experience of Bill Maher and Liam Kenny was key as the Bray forwards managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over and Eoin Mason, fresh from international duty was showing his skills in the midfield area.
Arklow were putting the Bray backs under huge pressure,
yet stout defending and disciplined tackling from the likes of
Jordan Lee, Peter Kiely and Ed Keating kept the damage to the
minimum and indeed, Bray managed to go into the half time break in
the ascendancy.
The second half was a tighter affair as Arklow came out with all
guns blazing. It was nip and tuck and the supporters felt a goal
would swing it. Arklow scored their goal first following a
defensive error, yet Eoin Mason scored shortly after to go a couple
of points ahead.
Christy Moorehouse started to pick up a little more ball and kept
the Arklow half back line turning. With two minutes to go all
present felt that Bray just needed to hold on to get their hands on
the cup. They say a two point lead is the most dangerous, and this
proved to be true as Danny Curran lost his marker and managed to
finish the ball to the back of the net to give the cup to Arklow
Rocks. On behalf of his family Liam McGraynor presented the cup to
the Arklow captain.
With the end of the Senior Hurling season, this game marked the end of Conor Johnson's reign as senior manager. The players would like to pass on their great appreciation for all Conor's time, effort and patience over the last number of years.
Team: Paddy Milward, Danny Eglington, Peter Kiely, Ed Keating, Paul Barry, Ronan O Brien, Jordan Lee, Eoin Mason, Peter Walsh, Willie Nolan, Liam Kenny, Lorcan Pratt, John Ward, Bill Maher, Christy Moorehouse, Liam Óg McGraynor, Billy Brazil, Eoin Brazil.
