Like the Footballl 2nd XV last week, The St Brendan's Hurlers, Sponsored by Transdev, had a 259 day wait for their next match. the last time we reported on the Hurlers, on October 4th, was a victory over St Peregrines in the Junior D Cup, we dont know yet if the Final of that competition will be played.

But anyway onto the 2021 season and like in Football, all leagues are split North and South, but unlike in Football, St Brendan's are in the Northern Division of AHL7, 5 games in AHL7 North and first up is a meeting with Na Gaeil Óga in Grangegorman.

And it was the away side who drew first blood in the game when a sideline cut was connected and Ciarran Ludden, playing in goal due to an injury, was beaten for goal. Ludden however made amands when his puckout found Padraig Pratt and then onto Oisin Carley who responded with a long distance point for The Dark Force.

Six minutes into the game and NGO had Ludden beaten for the second goal. rather then wilt in self pity, St Brendan's galvanised themselves dominated the next five minutes and hit three unanswered points from Michael Harte, Robbie Curley and Shane Foley, the latter two coming after winning two NGO puckouts, but St Brendan's could have taken the lead had it not been for three consecutive wides.

However, St Brendan's did hit a brace to level matters thanks to a second Michael Harte point and a free in from John Walsh following a foul on Paul Lynch. But that was as good as it got as NGO hit their third goal to make it 3-0 to 0-6 after 12 minutes. The away side hit another 3 points but in between there was another Walsh point from a free in after Lynch emeged with the slioter after a scramble, 3-3 to 0-7 at the water break, and with the warm weather, a lot of water was taken in.

The now fully hydrated NGO hit the ground running with four points on the spin after winning who short St Brendan's puck outs. However, both Noel Lane and Sean Whyte both ensured that their side were still in the contest at half time with two good points, Whyte's point came after snatching possession off NGO in the 45 and putting plenty of energy in the puc. Another NGO point ensured an 11 point half time lead 3-11 to 0-9.

In the second half, after taking in another tank of water, NGO notched up three more points, but St Brendan's replied with a point from Shane Foley. Indeed Foley hit a brace points with his second coming from play after a sideline cut from Noel Lane. That score became 0-12 thanks to a snap shot from John Walsh after NGO increased their tally to 3-17.

To their credit St Brendan's never quit and the side gave themselves hope for the rest of the league campaign with a brillant passage of play with Sean Whyte and Foley contributing to give Noel Lane an opportunity for a goal and took it with a tremendous shot, 3-17 to 1-12, another brace of NGO made it 3-19 to 1-12 at the second half swig of the magic bottle.

Whatever magic was in those water bottles worked as both sides traded goals shortly afterwards, with Sean Whyte netting the St Brendan's goal, like his point beforehand, Whyte snatched possession and out of pure frustration, pucked his shot low and into the net, 4-20 to 2-12.

To ensure St Brendan's go into the remaining games in the Division 7 North in an upbeat mood, Cathal Kelly drew the foul, Shane Foley's free in was hit low and deflected for a 65, Michael Harte took the 65 and went low and picked up by Robbie Curley whose shot went into the net for a third St Brendan's goal.

Despite the defeat, St Brendan's Hurlers can hold their head up high with a spirited preformance, particularlly in the last 10 minutes. Next up is a July 1st fixture away to Castleknock.

Final Score from Grangegorman St Brendan's 3-12 Na Gaeil Óga 4-21.