Railway boys u12s took on YM in the Leinster Hockey u12A final in a thrilling final. A scoreless opening period saw both sides negating each other until Patrick Woods opened the scoring with his trademark reverse stick shot on 17 minutes and then a quickly taken free hit saw YM equalise on the stroke of half time.
If the first half was a low scoring period the second half exploded into life as Railway scored in the opening minute as Patrick Woods fired them ahead 2-1 but they failed to defend as a team and YM replied 60 seconds later. As the match went on Railway pressure and shots were well saved by the YM keeper and then two goals in a minute saw YM go 4-2 ahead and with only four minutes left it looked like the final was lost. But a surging run from Zac Carroll reduced the arrears and with a few minutes to go Patrick evened matters at 4-4 and so the match went into the 1v1s (3 takers and 10 seconds)
Patrick went first and scored and James Hiles saved the first YM effort, Saul Hogan scored his after an infringement retake and YM scored their 2nd albeit right on the hooter after several good saves from James Hiles, but Zac Carroll finished things off and Railway won the 1v1s 3-1.
A closely fought match that neither side deserved to lose but any disappointment was short lived as both teams enjoyed BBQ burgers on the Railway terrace and a good way to end the formal league season
Well done to all the Railway lads in the u12 age group and their coaches both Saturday nights and Sunday league matches.