Munster Take Early Lead

I'll blatantly steal Eoin's (he's organising) mail to everyone today and let it suffice as the latest blog entry. As you will see, the league got off to a great start last night and the buzz created during and after confirmed it is a worthwhile adventure....

Well done to everyone involved yesterday. Fantastic evening's football and an even better session after!
 
The Dublin versus the West game was a real humdinger and a tale of two halves. The West domiated the first half with Giller marshalling midfield and Francis in flying form scoring three points from play.  In the second half Alec and Diarmaid, with the outside of his boot, completely controlled the centre of the park. Hudson had a fantastic second half keeping Francis scoreless but despite O'Dowd keeping the scoreboard ticking over, the West needed a hero. Cometh the hour, Cometh the man, and the self described Antrim Maradona, Oliver O'Callaghan was on hand to get in between the Davide, our imported Dub who hadn't put a foot wrong and Fergal who had been solid all evening to fist home an unlikely winner and rescue a well-deserved point for Liam-Kelly-less West. Special mention to Paul Hagan who won a heap of possession around the half forward line and Alan Rowan who really got going in the second half but Man of the Match has to go to Oliver O'Callaghan with the never-say-die attitude that earned his team the draw.
 
Leinster v. Munster was a scrappy affair with Munster edging it by just two points. Munster went in 5 points up at the break and looked like they were coasting. Collins hit some great points and Barrett seemed to be always in the right place at the back. Shane Griffin was keeping good tabs on Jim though and Leinster fought back gallantly with a great goal by Collie Byrne setting up a frantic final few minutes. With Leinster getting right back into it, up the field came Timmy with a fantastic goal that in the end killed off the Leinster comeback. Timmy was excellent for the 40 minutes and takes the Man of the Match.
 
Remember that the next round of matches are next Thursday. As per yesterday please be on time and go relatively easy on the sauce the night before.
 
Eoin
 
Thursday 8th July
 
19:15 Dublin v. Munster
 
Referee - Colin Byrne
Umpires - Enda Rice, Kevin Keary, Johnny Phelan, Shane Griffin
 
20:15 Leinster v. Connaught
 
Referee - Phil Roche
Umpires - Alec Elliott, Fergal Mythen, Tom Lane, Michael Hough