Intermediate Football Championship – Pearses Park, Arklow.
Ashford 0-06 v Stratford Grangecon 3-21
Stratford Grangecon got their 2015 Championship campaign off to a good start with an easy win over Ashford at Arklow on Sunday morning on a score line of 3-21 – 6 points.
While we empathise with Ashford having to field an under strength team without the assistance of a few of their influential players it was obvious that Stratford Grangecon were primed and ready for whatever opposition they faced.
Our established players produced an impeccable display, while Christopher Hanbidge drafted in at short notice without the benefit of much game time more than held his own at corner back. Upfront the return of Mark Caplice was a welcome boost; this talented musician played a tune that our opponents were unable to dance to.
Manager John McCormack couldn’t contain his delight with the performance of three of our young recruits, he had instructed Matt, Mark and Colin to throw off their inhibitions and play with confidence and to demonstrate to all that they had arrived to take their place at adult football level and this is what they most certainly did.
Our next challenge against our Parish neighbours in Hollywood at 5pm on Saturday next will pose a much stiffer task and it is hoped that Stratford Grangecon supporters who didn’t travel to Arklow on Sunday will be there to give the team their full support as this was the venue and the opposition that effectively derailed our ambitions last year.
Team
Patrick Cronin, Adam Doyle, Marcus Hanbidge, Christopher Hanbidge, Michael Mangan 1pt, Jason Bolger, Paddy Walshe, Kieran Byrne 4 pts (1 free), Eoin O’Neill, Mark Murphy 5pts, Mark Landan, Matt Manley 3pts, Mark Caplice 1 -5pts (3 frees), Shane Byrne 1 -1pt, Colin Byrne 1 – 2pts, Subs: David Cush, Sean O’Neill, James Barrett, Ian Moore, Tom Sweeney, Jordan Lawrence Eoin Burke.
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