O’Dwyers 1-16 NaGael Oga 1-06

Its Hammer Time as O’Dwyers make the last 8.

O’Dwyers qualified for the quarter-finals of the Junior 1 Championship as group winners following an impressive performance in Braemore on Sunday morning. Facing NaGael Oga for the first time since a heavy league defeat last year this was an opportunity for this improving squad to prove a point to themselves. And that’s exactly what they did.

There were some terrific performances all over the pitch but top of the list has to be Stephen (Hammer) Crawley at wing-back who defended with discipline and heart all day but managed to get forward and score three priceless points from three shots. He was part of an impressive defensive unit that shut down the oppositions kick out from the start of the game and put enormous pressure on every blue jersey that touched the ball.

The home team started strongly up the hill with early points from Dylan Andrews, Spud Gaye and that man Crawley. They continued to control the game and restricted a dangerous attacking team to just three points in the first half.

The second half started with a burst of O’Dwyers points from Jude O’Sullivan, Crawley & Peter Lawless. Things soon got even better when quick thinking by Liam Prout on a free kick saw Arron Keenan smash the ball to the net. NaGael Oga scored a goal close to the end after O’Dwyers were unlucky to receive a black card but the result was now beyond doubt as the home team eased to a comfortable 10-point victory.

Team captain Graham Ward spoke impressively as Gaeilge to the NaGael Oga players after the game which was well received by the Gaeilgeoir team and supporters.

O’Dwyers now look forward to a quarter-final encounter with Crumlin in two weeks’ time.