On Tuesday evening the long awaited clash between near neighbours  St Itas from Gortroe and Youghal Junior hurling teams finally took place. This local derby was to take place in Copperalley in Youghal. the evening was not kind to both sets of teams as there was a strong wind and bright setting sun into the faces of St Itas for the first half.

St Itas opened the scoring in the 3rd minute when a ball crossed in across the square by Seamie Harnedy reached corner forward Kevin Cotter who pushed the ball into the net past the outcoming keeper. However Youghal responded straight away with a strong wind advantage they managed to win a 65 which they converted. On the puck out the ball was played up the field to Seamie Harnedy who collected the ball between the 45 and 21 and turned and ran straight at goal driving a low shot past the keeper who had no chance. Youghla kept up the pressure and scored three points in a row before St Itas again got a point from midfielder Don O Rourke.  Youghal once again responded by taking a well worked point from the puck out to keep them in touch. For the next 6 minutes it was all St Itas who kept plaing great balls into full forward Seamie Harnedy who managed to get three unanswered points before getting his first goal of the day. However Youghal were not letting up and with constant pressure on the St Itas full back line won a 21 yard free. Youghal opted to shoot for goal but the ball was stopped on the line and driven out the field where Neilus Foley was on the receiving end of a great pass to drive the ball over the Youghal Cross bar. From the puck out Youghal won a penalty which they again opted to go for goal, but once again the St Itas goalkeeper Padraig O Brien managed to get his hurl in front of the ball to  make another save.  From the clearance Youghal kept pushing and were rewarded when full forward got the ball at the edge of the square and buried it into the St Itas net. With time running coming to an end for the first half the ball was once again played into Seamie Harnedy who got his second goal of the day before the ref blew for half time. The teams left the field at half time to a scoreline of St Itas 4gls and 5pts to Youghals 1 gl and 6pts.

At the resumption the wind had died down a little but no0t before Padraig O Brien took a long range free for St Itas and put the ball over the crossbar.  Youghal responded by getting a point but sadly this was to be their last score of the game.  Seamie Harnedy and the forward line were doing damage to the Youghal Back line and in the next 15 minutes they scored 6 unanswered points with Seamie getting 3 Don O Rourke  Alan Loughlin and Neilus Foley getting one apiece . St Itas with about 10 mintues to go brought on their first Sub and John Hallorhan was doing well in at corner forward before St Itas brought on their second Brian Gaynor came on at half forward they still pushed Youghal hard and kept the ball in the Youghal half and hitt several wides before Alan Loughlin got his point with 5 minutes to go St Itas brought on their final sub Shane Supple in to replace Sean Supple  at the edge of the square and he got the final score for St Itas when Seamie Harnedy hit in a great diagional ball across the square from the 45 to the waiting Shane Supple who caught the ball turned and blasted it to the net from the edge of the big square. from the puck out the ref blew for full time and the final score was St Itas 5 gl 13 pts to Youghal 1 gl and 7 pts. St Itas face Killeagh next week in Killeagh in theri second last match of the league.

St Itas :  Padraig O Brien, Paddy Ahern, Martin O Brien, Jim Hallorhan, Michael Cunningham, Warren Terry, Finbar Foley, Don O Rouorke, Michael Cronin, Caran O Brien, Neilus Foley, Alan Loughlin, Sean Supple, Seamie Harnedy, Kevin Ctter, Brian Gaynor, John O Hallorhan, and Shane Supple.

St Itas Scores:
Seamie Harnedy 3-7 (4 from frees)
Kevin Cotter 1-0
Shane Supple 1-0
Padraig O Brien 0-1
Don O Rourke 0-1
Alan Loughlin 0-2
Neilus Foley 0-1
Sean Supple 0-1

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