Lightning doesn't strike twice

Just like the start of last season the first match was away to Kilkenny, and again numbers were limited, so 3rds and 4ths shared resources equally (the bare minimum each). We even called up the army reserves (Euan covering for his father, who was using some World Cup excuse or other).
And like last season, one of the younger players felt the strain during the game (we can't say he didn't leave everything on the pitch) and struggled just to complete the game, but this time Jacob had already scored (unlike last year when Jack scored twice after he got injured).
Umpires for the game were very steady (unlike the previous Saturday - when unsteady is the politest way to describe his actions), but even with impartial umpires a certain FF was very verbose in his commentary on some of the decisions - great to see such enthusiasm, even if misdirected a little.
So on a sunny day down the country, a very young team (with just 2 exceptions) went in to the game with high hopes, Ciaran in goals making his adult debut and having a great first game.
Kilkenny scored early in the first quarter with a great reverse shot from the top, but this only lasted a few minutes before Simon and Jack combined to draw a save out of the keeper, which Jacob pounced on to score.
The reds took control for most of the game, but in the 2nd quarter KK scored a bobbly short corner, against the run of play.
The follicly challenged auld fellas at the back were separated to try encourage a more attacking approach, along with Dylan and Simon switching, which added dynamism both left and right. (the captain takes no credit for these moves!)
Much as we tried - we couldn't score, after repeated attacks - all the right moves happened (Alistair particularly picking the right passes on several occasions but then the last shot just never seemed to connect (put down to early season rustiness and finishing with 10.25 players)
A draw may have been a fairer result but it was not to be.
A little break then onwards and upwards.