It's been a while since I've put virtual pen to paper and I feel I've let you down. So new year and all that so here goes...

the team was selected and ready, it was a new look team having promoted our talented crop of juniors into the higher teams to continue their development. Will we ever see the likes of them again? I believe we will but what a great bunch they are.

The game was what you'd expect against an organised Slaz side. We were playing well and looked strong, we had a lot of possession and asked a few questions of their defence. James Rafferty continues to impress with his energy and tireless running playing as a wide midfielder.

As for the goals, I really can't remember the sequence however i know we went 2-1 down. Dilly scored the first from (open play??) and it was a strong finish. We had many opportunities to add to the tally however we aren't clinical enough in front of goal.

Odhran kept his menacing form that has made him a real danger before Christmas and danced down the right into the D and set up Dilly to make it look easy to score. The menace continued and their defence reacted a little too strongly, which led to a few handbags being flung and no more. We did the decent thing and calmed the situation down however it was disappointing to see experienced players reacting in that manner.

Slaz Came back at us and took the lead, we then entered into the second half and levelled, again from open play with your truly taking an early strike in the D that kissed the far post and rifled into the goal. GAME ON!!

Sadly we were let down with inconsistencies with the whistle which gifted Slaz their winning goal. It didn't stop us pressing and we went close a few times however it wasn't to be.

The promising side of the game is the style of hockey we play and the way we use triangles and support each other. We may have lost some talented youth however we've brought some in and they are continuing the type of hockey we want to play. We were a little guilty of playing too wide in the second half which ultimately cost us. Lesson learned, we move on.

Who got the on the pitch accolades I hear you cry? Well that's one to debate and we did (only a little, in the bar) and I'd say it goes to James Rafferty - for a great full debut.

As for the other one (that no one wants) - it had to be Odhran for showing just too much skill against a man twice his size and almost making him cry! You could argue this is a little harsh however it's the only way I can praise a great performance whilst providing a balance.