Match Reports 2012 - U16
16B MATCH REPORTS 2012
NOTHING ADDED BUT TIME
14th September 2012
Kilmacud Crokes 2-10 Na Fianna 1-10
Venue: Clontarf
Winning is not everything as this squad only too well knows. There was a time when we could not buy a win. Through it all the humour morale always remained good. This game prolonged an unbeaten run; you could now almost call it a streak.....
We facilitated Na Fianna by playing on Friday night at an all weather facility in Clontarf. They were stronger as a result while the change did not suit many of our players. Added to that Liam Lundon has left these shores to learn languages on the continent for the year. The players we had rose to the challenge; we might have won by a cricket score but managed to prevail by just three. We never make it easy for our selves, do we?
In spite of the long break we were moving well early on. Centre three-quarters Barney Sultan opened our account with a neat point after being set up by Shane Freely. Mid-fielder John Egan galloped through for a point on the end of a fine move involving swift passing between Barney Sultan and Gavin McDermott. Willow-o-the-wisp Ronan Kennedy conjured up a goal and we were set fair.
But Na Fianna are a proud club and came back at us and posed questions for defenders. Full-back John McDonald dominated with familiar poise and timing of interception. Fintan Jordan at centre-back made the catches stick and looks back to his considerable best. Andrew Wade revelled in his new posting at left-half back and won his individual dual. Right-half back Kevin Culligan sortied forward, following his offensive instincts, to set up Barney Sultan for a well-worked point.
Robert Cahill fulfilled his National Service to the team in goals for the championship and was released outfield for the remaining games. Shane Vallom was volunteered for the goal posting for the first half, and offered it up, and did not put a foot or hand wrong. In spite of total dominance we found ourselves a point down coming up to leath h-am. We upped gear and three points from Pete Moloney, Shane Freely and Gavin McDermott who converted the first of two forty-fives. Stephen Cluxton - watch out! We were a point to the good at the break.
LUKE STEPS INTO THE BREACH
We opened the second act in a blur of activity; there was intent to put the game beyond reach of Na Fianna as soon as possible. The moves were classy save for the final pass or finishing touch. John Egan again sprinted the pitch to end a good move with a well placed shot low into the net and added another cúilin later for good measure. At full tilt John is unstoppable. Robert Cahill warmed to his task and won substantial ball on the left wing and linked up well. Shane Vallom freed from goal also worked hard to win important possession as Na Fianna fought back.
Luke Hayden had a busy first half in the middle of the park. Notwithstanding some good work his reward was a stint in goal...!. Several outstanding saves late were crucial as Luke made a compelling case to be permanent custodian. Our Kicking King Seán Ryan again launched the ball far and defended well - one particular block in the first-half was a gem. As the pressure came on our defence remained unflustered. Fintan Jordan blocked brilliantly and compadre in the full-back line John McDonald lorded. Late on Andrew Wade one a difficult ball through sheer persistence which lifted his peers. And so the siege was lifted. Mid-fielder Gavin McDermott who had spent his time far away from his usual haunt nearer the goal stood centre stage to take another forty-five. He converted- no bother for the insurance point.
Even if we did not run away with the game there was much to admire. It is great to see how catching and kicking and all-round skills have come on year on year. Some are now clearly of A standard. They have got there in the end without undue pressure. Sometimes it is better to let things take their course. As the Ad for a well-known beverage boasts - Nothing Added but Time.
FINAL PREPARATIONS
Never let it be said that there was a stone left unturned! On Saturday we had a most enjoyable session in the Paddock - if only eleven could attend it was vital that Fintan Jordan and John McDonald from the left bank of our defence and goalkeeper Robert Cahill got in practice as they could not play on the Sunday - John and Fintan having to go on their Gaisce hike. Showing commendable commitment Oisín O' Doherty and Ronan Kennedy and Ruairí Geraghty who each had played an under 16 hurling match earlier also went through their paces. Under 14 player Matthew Cahill jnr also attended and did not look at all out of place amongst the "Big Boys" and proved that there is life after Féile.
12th May 2012
Kilmacud V. Ballyboden played at Cherryfield
We asked for a tough game and this is what we got here - a good fast and hard physical game against fellow southside giants Ballyboden. For good measure they stiffened their side with under 15A players. The wind/gale distorted the exercise but these challenges happen in big games too - it was good practice. Blessed with the elements in the first half we started slowly but nevertheless served up glimpses of potential. Chief sorcerer was Barney Sultan with two goals from his book of tricks in the first half. Ronan Kennedy continued good form reacting first to a rebound off a post and took a neat goal. Gavin McDermott notched some great points one in particular a soaring shot from an acute angle on the right wing.
Sean Ryan's kickouts were going a "mile" and with a modicum of luck we would have been out of sight at half-time. Meanwhile the Ballyboden attack were asking serious questions of our defence which is exactly what we wanted. They've had it too easy lately.! Matt Redmond at full-back gave nothing away and got one memorable block in the second half and under 15 player Faolán Crowe beavered in the left-corner.
Jonathon Roche with no previous experience took over between the sticks in the incumbent Robert Cahill's absence and recovered well after heavy early bombardment. Ballyboden shaded the first half by a few points which gave us pause for thought - time to roll up the sleeves!
A huge performance was demanded for the second half and that is what we got. Making light of the wind in our faces we took the game to BB with gusto. Plenty of last-ditch defending and well-worked scores from us here. Liam Lundon and Jack Farrelly switched the turbochargers on and scorched through the Ballyboden defence at will. Oisín O'Doherty another under 15 player having played an under 15 hurling game in the morning travelled over for the second half here (Now thats commitment to the cause !) and laid on a great pass to Gavin McDermott whose rising shot was somehow palmed over the bar. Kevin Culligan came on for the second half and reminded us what he brings to the table showing well for the ball and distributing astutely. This was a good workout with the degree of difficulty far higher than of late.
Meanwhile back at the ranch we have been working away concentrating on skills especially the old fashioned pillars of gaelic football catch and kick which will stand them in good stead long after the immediate priority of the championship final. It is an exciting and busy time.
The school term is coming to a close and the Junior Cert looms for some. There have been school musicals and sports days and big days in other sports. The carefree adventures of summer beckon loudly now.
Matt Redmond and Robert Cahill are off to Uganda and Kenya for a month but first a day out in Parnell Park to look forward to on the 26th May...
UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP QTR-FINAL
Silver Park, 28th April 2012
Kilmacud Crokes 10-19 Erin Go Bragh 0-2
THE CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINS
A similar performance and result as in the league game five days' previously. The match report from the league and this game would read the same. After a complacent start we warmed to the task. There are stiffer tasks ahead but morale has been heightened by good performances and record scoring tallies for our team. We welcomed back Jack Farrelly and Donal Gaughran, Ruarí Geraghty and Pete Moloney who all looked determined to make an impact for us in the championship. Other good shifts were put in by Eoin O'Shea, Andrew Wade, Shane Freely and Faolán Crowe. While the start was a little loose due to over confidence we quickly took control through good foot passing and finishing. The emphasis on scoring points has paid off; the time spent in training has been worthwhile.
Erin Go Bragh is a very sporting team and we wish them well in the Shield.
UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL
Silver Park, 5th May 2012
Kilmacud Crokes 4-18 Na Fianna 2-3
GMAC WARMS UP FOR TILT AT MAJOR
Gavin McDermott our scoring talisman must have called into the nearby driving range on his way to this game. No mean golfer himself, he signed for 1-9 thanks to shots launched with the effortless ease of a scratch golfer knocking crisp irons over the pin time after time. The eye was in from the start; the fade from the left boot unerring. But that is par for the course, of course! This was by no means a one man show as there were stellar performances all over the field. Most importantly this was a great team performance - one to remember and draw on in the games to come.
Silver Park was in immaculate condition considering the deluge of the week and a hushed theatre after the excitement of Féile in the morning. Such is our lot - "A flower born to blush unseen and waste its sweetness on the desert air!" Ah well, c'est la vie! We heard that Barney Sultan's brother Daithí was on song for Aidan Horan's charges in the Féile. Well, on to the stage bestrode big brother Barney to weave even more magic of the family brand.
But first there was a little character-builder i.e. the concession of a goal in the first minute. Was this to be Déja vu all over again? We feared this would be the pattern. Reassuringly Sean Ryan's first kick out was struck with authority. Possession was secured and we commenced an onslaught. It took a while and several wides were endured and brave blocks by our opponents before perseverance was rewarded and the points started raining on Na Fianna. Then Liam Lundon popped up from centre-back to score a trademark goal - a deceptive side-foot placed into the left corner across the stranded goalkeeper. We were on our way! Ronan Kennedy and Gavin McDermott joined in the goal spree and further points from them and Ben Mahon put a chasm between us and Na Fianna at half-time.
Half time score; - Kilmacud 3-11 to Na Fianna 1-0
Naturally our tempo flagged a bit on the turnover; the score line inevitable induced a little complacency. Just when Na Fianna got a few scores we went into over drive again with the arrival of reinforcements. Kevin Culligan busied himself right away and with one clever flick of the wrist set Barney Sultan up for a run at the defence- Jaz Keane was motoring in support and a superb pass from Barney set Jaz up for a goal attempt which removed paint from the outside of the post - no score but the move of the game. Andrew Wade's cameo brought two fine points taken on the run while Shane Freely was very lively down the right side. Pete Moloney's work rate at corner back included a foray forward for a lovely point. Plenty of selection posers for mentors then! Due to injury the fifth member of our citeog quintet Shane Vallom could not get a run.
Forwards often monopolise the kudos and print inches. But like a choir where you have your bedrock of the baseline you build a team from a strong defence. Our rearguard in recent games has not been tested but maybe that is down to how able and concentrated it has been. We talked beforehand of marking your man out of the game and the concentration and determination required to achieve that and they listened well.
Goalkeeper Robert Cahill has rarely been troubled but vociferously keeps his defence on it's their collective toes. Shades of his epic half-time talks of a couple of years ago! Our left side has two natural left-footers which gives us wonderful balance. Cornerback John McDonald is Mr Consistent and half-back partner Fintan Jordan always gives the impression of having oodles of time on the ball. Fullback Matt Redmond goes about his business like Rory O' Carroll. Matt operates by that old-fashioned motto " Thou Shalt not Pass." Down the right we have Sean Ryan whose kick outs and penalties are nearing cult-status now and whose all-round game improves with each outing.
Ruairí Geraghty at right-half back came back from an early season "sabbatical" and was close to his best - his reading of the breaking ball non pareil. Liam Lundon at centre-half produced another tour de force with his natural pace getting him to a wealth of ball and then the surge to score that inspiring goal. If younger brother Alan was winning Féile on the same day, Liam rivalled his sibling with this performance.
Donal Gaughran and Jack Farrelly manned the mid-field quadrant and they together with a dominant half-back line provided the bullets for the forwards to weave the patterns which befuddled Na Fianna time and again. Ben Mahon on the "forty" nonchalantly sprayed the passes into space right and left while Barney Sultan ducked and weaved to open incisions which Gavin McDermott and Ronan Kennedy, two more natural citeogs in the team, who finished and set chances up time and again.
On the left John Egan's pacey runs spelt menace every time he got on the ball. Left-corner forward Luke Hayden displayed huge work and used the ball with intelligence of a chess master always thinking a move ahead.
Na Fianna were our toughest opponents yet and made us work for every score. They kept fighting to the end but yet we overpowered them by playing exciting and free flowing football. Some of the support play and foot-passing were of the highest calibre. We emphasised the importance of competing for every ball from the off and this they did; this was the most committed performance physically ever from them. The score-taking was outstanding. That's what inner confidence breeds!
The reward is a final played at the County grounds at Parnell Park and it is well deserved. A major game on a major stage. We have had many games with some great days and many disappointents. Win or lose in the final this performance can be remembered as a day when they played to potential and enjoyed themselves. Nobody expects an easy game. But if we compete as well this we will give a good account of ourselves whatever the outcome. Well done to all.
P.S Kilmacud players have a long history in golf - perhaps our most talented forward ever Padraig Hogan played off scratch and won two East of Irelands and played for and managed the Irish International team. Just recently Conor Deegan All-Ireland winner with Down and former Crokes player playing of plus 4 shot an astonishing eight under 64 in Tulfarris to win the annual Jack Bradley Cup run by our golf society. Follow that!
P.P.S. Because my match notes were lost I may have left out some scores - apologies. M.C.
23RD APRIL 2012
KILMACUD CROKES 11-17 ERIN GO BRAGH 0-0
(SILVER PARK)
YOU NEVER LOSE IT! THE GOALPOACHER RETURNS, A CHESSMASTER CATCHES FIRE AND A MEMORABLE COMEBACK....
No, you don't need to go to Specsavers...the above scoreline is correct! Over the past three years we have been on the receiving end so it was enjoyable to cruise to victory for a change. The thought of the guillotine concentrates the mind. The championship is upon us - the last hurrah for this team as now constituted; competition for places on the starting line-up is now hotting up. There is a lot of ability in the team which has blossomed whether winning or losing but the time has come to bring it all together and raise the performance level. It helps that more players are available and injuries are clearing up. We are no longer scrambling for numbers.
We started as we meant to go on; 1-3 on the board after five minutes. Liam Lundon opened and ended the points deluge finishing with four. Ronan Kennedy also got in the act early doors and looked like the finisher of old and notched a healthy 1-4. Ben Mahon got the first goal following a superb kicked-pass from Ronan Kennedy - arís! Kevin Culligan linked and prompted well as his wont. John Egan the "Usain Bolt" of this age-group heeded orders to use his pace and did so at every opportunity scoring four goals and one soaring point. Shane Vallom scored his customary goal-a-game. Lest we forget our regular goalsmith Gavin McDermott waded in with three first half goals. We really were forging ahead.
Half-time score:- Kilmacud Crokes 9-5 to Erin Go Bragh 0-0
With such a commanding lead the management had little to say bar "keep it going to the end" and switching the emphasis to points scoring. Players obviously listened as we scored fourteen after the break. Half-back Barney Sultan stormed forward to score a neat point. Liam Lundon dashed from mid-field for a few. Luke Hayden produced a memorable cameo - scoring four points in the second-half - all struck with excellent technique. He is clearly not going to be stereotyped as a corner back! We wish Luke all the best in the All-Ireland School's Chess Championships which come up shortly. Goalkeeper Robert Cahill turned goal-poacher later in the game. Once upon a time Eamon Allen of the A team and Robert were a lethal partnership i.e. up to under 11, much like Toshack and Keegan of the Liverpool team of the seventies. Between them they scored and made goals for fun. Oh, those were the days! In this game the crowd i.e. the subs clamoured for Robert to come out of goal and play at corner-forward. The reward was a goal - following a good reaction to John McDonald's "rasper " off the bar. You never lose it!
This was Ben Mahon's first game in at least three years - because of good form in training he was handed a mid-fielder's jersey. Our confidence was well placed and he played a "stormer" laced with top class passing and a neat point to boot. What a comeback!
As the scoreline suggests our defence had an easy day at the office but what came their way was mopped up quickly. Matt Redmond returned from a broken thumb to play with usual determination at centre-back. Fintan Jordan at left-half back surged forward on the over-lap time and again to augment the attack. After early-season injury woes he seems back to his best. Pete Moloney showed some of the determination of old when called on. Barney Sultan at right-half back reprised a role he played to great effect in the Féile year - another string to his and our bow. Full-backs Sean Ryan and John McDonald kept the shutters down through out. Eoin O'Shea came on at corner-back and gave nothing away. Shane Freely, Bryan Cooke Oisín Doherty and Jonathon Roche came on and slotted seamlessly into the team effort.
This was not a perfect performance by any means but there was a lot to enthuse about. The concentration level remained high throughout. There were noteworthy individual performances and some excellent kicked passing and a points total of seventeen points was impressive in anyone's language. No one is getting carried away and there is a lot of work to be done but it is nice to be writing home about a good news story for a change.
KEEPING GOING TO THE END COME WHAT MAY
31st March 2012 at 12th Lock
Kilmacud Crokes 1-4 Lucan Sarsfields 5-10
Lucan with a new-look team have been winning "all-around" them this year. Their batting average has been cricket-like. In contrast we are not setting the world alight on the league table but our morale remains good. Some players continue improving which is the most important thing at this stage. Very good players will emerge from this group in time. We were hit by late withdrawals. This game also saw the return of several players which is good news for championship plans.
The early concession of two soft goals raised the bar here for us but nevertheless there were good performances and heads did not drop. Quite how we managed to be so far behind at half-time was a mystery considering the wealth of chances which if taken would have reflected more fairly the ebb and flow of the contest. One great move spanned the length of the pitch with sharp inter-passing and support play finishing with the industrious Oisín Doherty unluckily shooting narrowly wide. Full-back Sean Ryan continues with his great kick-outs and once again took his penalty with great power. What next for Sean - maybe the forty-fives a la Stephen Cluxton? Left-corner back John McDonald marks like a limpet as well as clearing with precision - traits to the fore again on Saturday. Centre-back Syed Rizvi now free from his Junior cup rugby commitments - and congratulations to him on getting the clinching try in the final - brought his fitness and enthusiasm to the table in a promising display. Mid-fielder Liam Lundon for the fifth game in a row was a man-of-the-match contender and covered almost every blade of grass for the cause. Such a performance level deserves more points/wins but in itself is a success and augers well for the future. Each individual can do no more than try to the best of his ability in his own area.
Half-time Lucan 3-5 to Kilmacud 0-3
Facing the stiffish wind in the second-half we conceded another needless goal - failing to react to a rebound off the crossbar. But we plugged away. Full-forward Shane Vallom came to the fore by winning awkward ball and laying off cleverly for the likes of Barney Sultan and Jaz Keane - all that was missing was a return for this good work. Another returnee from rugby fields half-back Ruairí Geraghty has been flying in training recently and in the second-half here showed potential for the upcoming championship. Fintan Jordan's first game back from an injury went well and he also is in good shape. Fáilte ar ais roimh gach aon duine! Gavin McDermott at centre-forward stood up to some robust attention as ever and chimed in with three points and never raised the white flag. Robert Cahill after a shaky start in goal brought off three world class saves in the second half. The important thing is to keep going no matter what happens. In fairness for all the setbacks suffered here they never gave up and the last ten minute siege on the Lucan goal was up-lifting. Perhaps had we taken the easy points on offer the scoreline would have been more edifying but we were "going for broke." Twice Kevin Culligan struck the post in this last frenetic passage of the game. Lucan scrambled other attempts away as well. Patrick Sarsfield born in Lucan circa 1660, and a man who knew a thing or two about the sieges, would have been very impressed!
Leaving the score line aside there were some heartening performances and with several strong players due back we have every reason to be optimistic about the championship. Hope springs eternal.
CO-INCIDENCES
In a remarkable co-incidence the scoreline in these two games was exactly the same - a reversal on a 4-11 to 2-5 scoreline. In each game we started well, made a lot of chances but did not reap the reward on the scoreboard and in the second acts we paid the penalty for our profligacy. Nevertheless there were sterling performances by many players. Once again injury and absences severely hurt our chances.
Most importantly we competed to the end even when Lady Luck was not smiling on us.
Saturday 25th February 2012 at Bloomfield, Malahide
St Sylvesters 4-11 Crokes 2-5
Tús maith arís anseo. Normally a good start is half the battle. For the second successive week we opened well and took control. Our gambit of a two-man full-forward line of Shane Veale and Gavin McDermott worked well and we were four points to the good with a quarter of the game gone. With a little more poise we would have been out of sight.
Two points from scorer-in-chief Gmac ( Gavin McDermott) bookended Shane Vallom's one-pointer before Andrew Wade gathered a high-ball, wriggled free and crossed low for John Egan to slot home a goal. John had raced sixty yards to get there. Defensively we were in good shape.
Robert Cahill between the sticks was solid and cleared well. Half-back Kevin Culligan covered fore and aft. We were set fair - or so we thought. Slowly Syls wrested the initiative from us and hauled us in at the break.
Half-time St Sylvester 1-4 to Crokes 1-4.
Although Sylvesters had wind advantage in the second-half it was not the deciding factor of the previous week. The pattern was good approach play by us which did not get reward whereas Syls were economical with less possession. Corner-backs Sean Ryan and John McDonnell stood tall under the pressure. Sean's kickouts were again a feature; he took the penalty well opting for placement rather than power. Oisín Doherty showed for the ball and linked up seamlessly.
Once again we created a string of goal chances late on following pacey runs by in-form Liam Lundon and John Egan. Some days they just dont go in. Gmac might have had a hat-trick. When the confidence comes these runs and efforts will pay off. We just have to be patient.
Saturday 18th February 2012 Silver Park
Clontarf 4-11 Crokes 2-5
This was the proverbial game of " two halves." With wind and hill advantage we dominated and were nine points to the good at the break.
All well and good but we had a hurricance to play into in the second which duly increased in strength! Wouldn't you know! Considering the chances created it was a slighly disappointing lead. Approach play was excellent up to the final pass. One day we will be rewarded - tá súil againn! The hard-grafing Gavin McDermott, who shipped a lot of knocks, again topped of the scoring charts with a handsome 1-3. Under 15 players Eoin O' Shea and Faoláin Crowe made solid debuts in defence.
Around the middle of the park Syed Rizvi was industrious and initiated many attacks. Liam Lundon capped a fine all-round performance with a goal neatly tucked away in the corner after a searing run.
Half-forward Jaz Keane continued good recent form and scored a neat point on the turn. Andrew Wade down the left wing was lively. Oisín Doherty another under 15 played a clever game at " top-of -the-right"
and an excellent pass from him set up Gavin McDermott for the first score. Our defence were untroubled and even if our conversion rate was worrisome we carved out a reasonable lead.
Half-time:- Kilmacud Crokes 2-5 to Clontarf 0-2
Wind assisted Clontarf inevitably put us under pressure early and often. We held the line until ten minutes from time when a double-whammy of goals sealed our fate. We tried to the end but Clontarf pulled away to win on a flattering scoreline. Over elaboration in front of goal cost us several scores. Even in the face of such adversity we defended manfully/boyfully to the end. Goalkeeper Robert Cahill fielded well and distributed judiciusly.
Captain-for-the-day Matt Redmond was heroic at centre-back. Kevin Culligan at half-back soldiered competently alongside. Yes, this was a disappointing result but as always there were highlights i.e good passages of team play and individual skill and bravery which give hope for the future.
February 11th 2012
COOL HAND LUKE AND QUICK DRAW MCGRAW!
Sancta Maria
Kilmacud Crokes 5-6 Ballyboden 2-6
Sparkling play here; a continuation of good form from the previous week where we did everything but win. Very good individual performances, outstanding moves and a scoreline which did not refect our dominance. We did not make it easy for ourselves but that comes with the territory. Nobody is perfect not even at fifteen years of age!
Luke Hayden's outstanding performance at right-corner back is worthy of a special mention. This was a stylish and clever performance - we now have outstanding corner-backs in each corner.
Our first score was an outstanding point from John Egan who ran fully fifty metres before slotting over - at full tilt John is unstoppable! Shane Vallom our "Mr Consistent" banked his customary goal. Another memorable contribution came from Gavin McDermott who lodged three goals and three points to our account. The first goal when we needed it most was a pile driver from twenty-five yards which almost ripped the net from its moorings! John Donald our regular left-corner back was steady even if played further out the field because of absences on the day. Syed Rizi has been busy starring on his school's junior cup rugby team but now is free to resume his GAA career; he underlined his commitment with a hard-working display polished off by a point. Fáilte ar ais, Syed!
Facing a stiffish wind in the second half meant we would have to work hard to preserve our lead. Early pressure from our opponents did not bode well but our defence was resolute; Robert Cahill in goals twice saved smartly. Matthew Redmond captain and centre back was inspirational and drove on his troops. Liam Lundon at right half-back continues very consistent form and covers "every blade of grass" in the cause or in this case every inch of the synthetic surface. Liam has the happy knack of gaining possession he has no right to. Sean Ryan's prodigious kickouts continue to be a huge bonus. As the half progressed we made numerous chances with lovely football. Our Gmac (also a golfer) was scoring for fun. We ran out nine point winners which did not flatter us. There was great effort and attractive football. In each game win or lose there are moments of magic to give you hope for the future. Yes there were mistakes but you must allow them that and focus on the positive of which there was plenty here.
Due to very late withdrawals, a persistent problem at present, Matthew Cahill and Rory Fitzpatrick were called up on an hours notice and although two years younger made strong contributions. Thanks a million lads - you showed great club spirit.
February 4th 2012
LATE DEVELOPERS AND ALL THAT JAZ........!
Kilmacud Crokes 3-3 Ballinteer St Johns 2-9
This season-opener was played on a soggy pitch at Páirc De Burca. It was a surprise it went ahead at all. We were rusty and for all the honest toil a few errors at vital times undid us. Mind you the teams in Croke Park later were just as rusty - if county players make errors we can hardly be too hard on our fifteen year olds, can we?
An early pattern formed where we played creative approach football but did not register enough on the score board. Liam Lundon surged forward only to strike the post. Luke Hayden was just wide of the far post with an instinctive volley. Four or five other goal chances not to mention point chances some how did not bear fruit. The effort was there, the chances were there but luck was marked absent. Our goal in the first half owed a lot to corner-forward Jaz Keane's tackling; the ball broke for Barney Sultan who set up Shane Vallom for his by now customary goal. Matt Redmond getting a chance in the forward role foraged manfully for possession. In defence Kevin Culligan at half-back for a change grew into the new role and had a very impressive game. John McDonald at left corner-back controlled his sector with authority and made one outstanding catch which is becoming a feature of his game. Sean Ryan was press-ganged into the goalkeeper's job and was competent in the basics and his kick-outs were top-class as usual. Half-time found us three points in arrears but very much in the game.
Half-time Ballinteer St John's 1-5 to Kilmacud 1-2
In the second half Ballinteer continued to make their possession pay dividends while we played good football up to the final quarter of the pitch. But we kept going to the end. Mid-fielder Gavin McDermott poached an early goal. However we could not capitalise on this fillip and endured thirty minutes of frustration. Sean Ryan released outfield for the second half was solid in defence. Kevin Culligan popped up fore and aft and started many attacks. Half-back John Egan is blessed with natural speed and when he clicked into gear in the last twenty minutes with great interceptions and runs forward he underlined his potential. Mid-fielder Shane Veale began to "motor" and made several outstanding catches. In his best game yet Jaz Keane made many telling contributions especially when we chased the game with everything we had. A fine point by "Jaz" was followed by an excellent catch and delightful lobbed pass to set up Matt Redmond for his well-deserved goal. If this finely crafted goal was just too late to haul in Ballinteer it showed the never-say-die attitude and ability within the team which will serve them well on future days.
So quickly have our braves reached the under sixteen year. It has come around so quickly; time and tide have not waited. Although a reverse in league terms there were many positives to be taken from the game. Some players are showing great improvement - their late development is fantastic to see. It has been worth the wait!
Matt Cahill