Last Saturday Shanballymore Juvenile club held the Rebel Og Monster Blitz. Last year we held a very successful under 8 blitz with over 200 players competing. This year we were host for even more under 8 teams with the addition of four under 6 teams. All games were played in the best of spirit and played to the highest of standard. Feedback from other clubs was very positive and all clubs felt very welcome. This can go down to being even more successful then the previous year.
On Saturday we fielded an under 6 and 8 team. Later on in the day we also had an under 10 hurling game. This shows the great work and dedication being put in by mangers of these teams as well as club officers for putting the time and effort required into the under age section of the club.
Shanballymore Cubs 
This was our first outing for our under 6 members Shanballymore Cubs. They had 3 games, playing Newtownshandrum who their credit had two teams and Buttevent. All players from all clubs put on some great entertainment for the large group of supports. We had some new players making their debut for the club these include Touran McGrellis, Luke Burke, Darragh Sheedy and Ciaran Dennehy and the occasion did not faze them. These players played really well and look to be future stars of the club. Other players to play really well and score goals on the day where, Daniel Sheedy, Sean Barry, Cian Sheedy and Jamie Burke.
Under 8’s:
In the first game we played Kildorrery, This was a really enjoyable game with Luke, Rory, Eoin and Caoimhe really playing well against a tough Kildorrery team. In the second game we played Mallow. This game was another step up from the previous game, but credit to our players who brought all their skills from the training ground into match situation with Indya, Dawn and Fionn really standing out. In the third and final match we played a strong Kilworth team. Will,Nail and Ronan worked hard with some very good blocks and clearence from both their left and right sides. Panel of players on the day: Eoin Sheedy, Fionn O’Sullivan , Indya Szwarc, Will and Dawn Ladd Finn, Caoimhe Looney, Ronan McGrellis, Rory and Niall Murray and Luke Twomey.
Under 10’s:
Also on Saturday we fielded our third team of the day when we played close neighbours Doneraile who made the short journey to us to take part in the under 10 hurling league. After our Under 6 and 8s teams put on such good displays the under 10’s knew they would have to try and match this and too their credit that is exactly what they did. We started the brighter with some great individual and team play that had us in control for most of the first half period. Credit must also go to Doneraile who approaching half time really put it up to use and had us under pressure before the referee blew the whistle for the change over. With a slight wind at our backs for the second, we again upped our performance from the first half, this lead to some fine hooking and blocking all over the field as well as some brilliant point scoring.
Jack in goals in the first half, pulled of some fine saves which really kept us in the game. In front of Jack, Cian Looney again played really well and seems to be enjoying his new role in the back line. Along side Cian was Peter who’s long clearances set up attack after attack for our forward line. Aine in the other corner put on a fine display of defending while never giving her man an inch of space. In midfield Lorcan and Nathan Murry, worked their socks off to ensure Doneraile never got easy balls into their forward line. Lorcan who was a pain in the side of many Doneraile player for the entire game. Jack Twomey who swapped with Nathan for the second half carried straight on from where Nathan had been as he got on the score board time and time again. Up front Gavin carried on his fine form from the Kildorrery game by scoring and setting up scoring chances. Beside Gavin, was Daniel which say him play for the first time in the forward line, and the way he played it looks like it wont be his last time. Luke Twomey who was in the corner again but on another fine display like recent matches, providing assistance to all those around him.
Panel of players: Peter O Keeffe, Daniel McGuickin, Aine Burke, Cian Looney, Lorcan Murry, Jack & Luke Twomey, Nathan Murry and Gavin Barrett.
Shanballymore GAA 