Féile adventure comes up short for valiant Lockes

So near and yet so far - the Féile was a rollercoaster ride for John Lockes as the Callan side gave their all in search of national glory in Wexford.

The Kilkenny side were quick off the mark at Wexford GAA’s Centre of Excellence, getting a winning start against Faythe Harriers in round one. The Lockes made light work of their opponents in this tie, running out comfortable 2-8 to 0-4 winners.

Within minutes of the opening whistle the Kilkenny side took the lead with a fine effort from Max Edwards. The tie was level before Lockes struck for their first goal from Sean Morrissey. As they gained control Glen O’Sullivan and Liam Corcoran raised white flags along with Morrissey, giving them a four point-lead at the break.

Once play resumed it was much the same from the Kilkenny men as they piled forward in search of more scores. The first was a minor from Edwards before that man Morrissey doubled his goal tally for the day. As both sides started to empty their bench Aaron Murphy made an immediate impact with a point before Paddy Grace and O’Sullivan finished the scoring.

In the second group game only two points separated the sides at the final whistle as Limerick’s Ahane came out on top by 0-6 to 0-4.

After a free-flowing first game scores were much harder to come by in this tie as both defences were clearly on top. Eventually Callan broke the deadlock with an effort from midfielder Glen O’Sullivan. The second score of the half was added minutes later when Morrissey found his range in this tie. With the half-time whistle looming Morrissey struck again to leave his side 0-3 to 0-2 up at the break.

Once play restarted it was almost a carbon copy of the opening half as neither side could manage to get close to their opponent’s net. The Lockes battled hard but only managed one score in the second half, an effort from Liam Corcoran. Ahane added 0-4 to their tally to run out two-point winners.

Game three saw the Lockes bounce back to winning ways when they beat Oulart-the-Ballagh by 4-7 to 0-1. A fine squad display saw the Callan side run out easy winners.

Callan midfielder Glen O’Sullivan kept up his fine form in this tournament, firing in 1-1 inside the opening five minutes. The Lockes didn’t hold back and kept their foot on the gas, Liam Corcoran and O’Sullivan adding points to the lead. As half-time got closer Ollie Molloy added a second goal before Morrissey finished the scoring, leaving the score at 2-4 to 0-0 at the interval.

Once the whistle went for the second half another point was added immediately before Aaron Murphy struck the third goal of the tie. The game was well and truly over but Glen O’Sullivan and Jack Dermody raised two more white flags before Micheál Jackman notched his first score of the tournament with a well-taken goal in the dying seconds.

The result meant the Lockes finished top of their group, setting up a quarter-final meeting with Galway side Oranmore Maree.

After the sides couldn’t be separated in normal time (1-5 to 1-5) two points scored in extra time made sure eventual winners Oranmore Maree got the better of their Kilkenny opponents.

Callan’s Glen O’Sullivan was making a habit of scoring early and again raised the first flag of the day for his side. In what was a low scoring opening half the opposition levelled before both defences started to gain control, but still the sides were level at a point apiece at half-time.

As defences started to tire the second half saw scores became much more plentiful with Liam Corcoran firing over an effort from play and a dead ball either side of a Max Edwards strike. With the opposition a goal up Corcoran again took control of the ball before rattling the back of the net to level the tie with five minutes to go.

Oranmore took the lead but, with the final effort of the game, scoring machine Corcoran stepped up to send this quarter-final to extra-time.

Unfortunately it wasn’t to be for the Kilkenny boys as the eventual champions slotted two points in extra-time to ensure the victory over a valiant Lockes side.

John Lockes - Patrick Maher, Oisin Kennedy, Ruadhan Doran, Pádraig Tobin, Padraig Croke, Paddy Grace (captain), Oisin O’Neill, Max Edwards, Glen O’Sullivan, Eoghan Cassin, Ollie Molloy, Adam Byrne, Sean Corcoran, Sean Morrissey, Liam Corcoran, Sean Henriques, Hamish Carey, Jack Dermody, Aaron Murphy, Micheál Jackman, Peter Lawlor, Jake Green, Joaquim Nolan, Cathal Power, Danny Power, Darragh Tierney, Eoghan McCorry, Jack Doheny, John Keher.

Management team - John O’Neill, Paul Morrissey, Pat Croke, Sean Hogan, Tom Dermody, Joe Molloy.