AIB Leinster Club IHC Q/F RESULT:

Commercials 3-19

Naomh Bríd 0-12

We are disappointed. Disappointed to have lost. Disappointed that the year is over. Disappointed to not be going back training Tues night. Because as one founding member stated during the week, this has been one of the most enjoyable years of hurling since the club's inception. A renewed enthusiasm, an exciting team and fantastic developments on the horizon.

However it wasn't to be for our lads yesterday who battled bravely right to the very end. A beautiful day in Parnell Park, our lads started well with the evergreen Aaron Amond, Mikey Bambrick and young star Jack Connolly announcing himself to the hurling world putting ov hier some lovely scores. Level mid way through the first half, Commercials stuck for their first goal, shortly afterwards captain Adam Dunne was forced off thru injury, down the other end our lads stuck the cross-bar twice when bearing down on goal but alas luck wasn't on our side. On another day, things could have been different. 

Credit to Commercials, they were that bit more clinical throughout coming hot of championship and league victories in Dublin the past 2 weeks. Still, we never gave up. Our backs kept fighting under pressure, Fiach O'Toole (among others) giving Tom Mulally something to think about for next season, John Murphy raiding thru the defence to score a great goal only to be disallowed for 3 catches. Not to be.

So while we're disappointed the year is over, we're even more proud and grateful for the year we've had. We know there's more to come from this group. We'll suck this up, take the learnings and look forward to next year with lots of optimism.

A huge thanks to the management team of Rob Sheehan, Kieran Delaney & Aidan O'Toole who have created the conditions for these lads to flourish. 

Attention now turns to the U21 championship where many of these lads will play Bagenalstown Gaels in the semi final next weekend. 

And if you don't see them there, you'll see them swapping the hurl for the red carpet as they act, dance and jive to raise funds for our new state of the art Superbowl community hub.

Naomh Bríd abú 🇧🇭