Passage West G.A.A. Club News Archive

U-14 HURLING

The U-14 Hurlers were one of the most popular teams in the club this season with large crowds attending all their games. They have developed into a fine Hurling side with several outstanding players Ricky Higgins been the pick of the bunch. They started their League Campaign with a great win away to Mayfield never an easy place to get a result. They then hammered Whitechurch and Brian Dillons before losing by a point to the Barrs. They bounced back from this setback with great wins against Ballinora and Nemo Rangers which qualified them for the League Semi-Final. Their preparations for the semi wasn't ideal as they were involved in the Football County the previous few weeks. The Barrs were the opposition and they beat Passage by 4 points to qualify for the Final. In the Lord Mayors Shield Passage beat Mayfield, Brian Dillons and their main rivals all season St.Finbarrs to top the group and qualify for the Final.

The final was held in Church Road in November and the opposition was the Barrs who had finished runners-up to Passage in the group. The Barrs won but Passage never gave up and played their part in a great game of Hurling. It was in the Championship that this team came of age. They defeated Mayfield in the semi-final and went on to face Brian Dillons in the final. They defeated Dillons easily to be crowned City Division Champions on a never to be forgotten night. Passage then represented the City Division in the County and beat a much fancied Newcestown side in the quarter-final. They lost the semi-final to North Cork Champions Croke-Rovers. I must congratulate the players and the management team of Tom Harrington, Ciaran O'Reilly and John Hanlon for winning the Championship. Also thanks to the backroom team of Mick Higgins, Pat Walsh, Karl Murphy, Barry Harrington and Terry Howard for helping out with this great team during the year.

U-14 FOOTBALL

Having won the U-13 B Football League in 2003 and with the talent that was available it was decided to enter the U-14 Footballers in the A League this season. They lost their first three games to Na.Piarsaigh, Bishopstown and Douglas but the lads were putting in great performances. They lost these games narrowly never been beaten by more than 3 points. They then drew with a strong St. Michaels side who later went on to win the Feile and A County.

There are three fixtures yet to be played against St. Finbarrs, St. Nicks and Carrigaline. In the Feile Passage hammered Ballinure and Brian Dillons before an under strength side due to holidays lost to St. Vincents by 2 points. Their finest moment came in the B Championship when they heavily beat Brian Dillons by a scoreline of 5-10 to 2-3 in the Final. The team were on fire that day and all the hard work that Ciaran O'Reilly, John Hanlon and Thomas Harrington put in paid off handsomely. This win also secured an historic Championship Hurling and Football double in the U-14 grade.

In the County Passage destroyed Castletownbere in the quarter final before losing by 2 points to Fr. O'Neills in the semi final. The performance of the match offical in this game left a lot to be desired. This is a very talented team who have a great future ahead of them and I confidently predict if they stay together will win the U-16 County in two years time. Thanks to all the players and the management team for the great year they gave us.