It was Saturday again, it was an early start again, it was the Martins again - the only difference was the venue and the code as our Juvenile hurlers sought to annex the county U/16 title.

We got off to a good start with everything going their way in the first half following a brace of goals from James Walsh and Kevin Foley, a classic point from Kevin Ryan and another couple tagged on by Kevin Foley giving us a comfortable lead at the break 2.4 to 2 points.

There were some excellent performances around the pitch none better than full back Liam Ryan, Jack Flood, Seanie O`Gorman, Dale Galway, and many others.

Once again however the Martins emerged stronger in the second period and when they got their purple patch began to notch on the scores making it look with about 10 minutes to go that we could be facing another replay. But not this time - the Rapps stuck to the task well and once bitten twice shy they harried and hassled and hooked and blocked their way to the final whistle with no quarter given, throwing their bodies in where others would fear to tread and showed the strength of character and determination of this team and most of all their will to win.

Second best is not in their make up - these guys are winners and even the final scoreline of 2.7 to 2.5 could well have been 3.7 to 2.5 except what appeared to be a good goal by the nippy Niall McCrea was disallowed as a square ball.

Well done lads if you are our future - then it is indeed bright! And well done to your very hard working selectors Declan Ruth/Jim Holder/Robert Byrne/Maurice Treacy and Brian Hogan. The cup was fittingly brought back to Bellefield where family, friends and well wishers joined the lads for refreshments.