Match Reports 2013 - U15

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U15 A Championship : October 6th 

Kilmacud Crokes 3-6 V Clontarf 1-17

 
U15 v Clontarf C'ship 6/10/13

 

U15 V Fingallians

Sunday Sept 22nd 2013 

Kilmacud Crokes 2-13  Fingallians 4-9

U 15 v Fingallians 22/9/13 

Click on the above image for more pictures from S. Dagg

 

U15 League Division 1

Sunday Sept 8th 2013 Venue Silverpark Report by Joe O'Brien

 

Click on the image to view more pictures from S. Dagg

Kilmacud Crokes 3-4   Clontarf 4-12 

Sunday 8th September saw the opening of the U15 football championships and Silver Park was the stage for a mouth watering division one tie between crokes and the impressive Clontarf.
The first half opened with Clontarf showing clear intentions on playing a fast physical passing game and early signs were that a lot of work has been put in on the training pitch. For all Clontarf's posession in the opening exchanges, they seemed to have difficulty disecting the posts and this was one area of play where crokes were superior. The home side lead for all of the first half, at one stage even opening up an eight point gap thanks to efficient scoring across the front line. The score of the half, or the match for that matter came mid way throught the first half when the impressive Ronan Hayes rose above a defence struggling to contain his industrious input and fielded beautifully, then landing and turning in one swift act, crashed the ball past the flailing Clontarf keeper. While Crokes undoubtedly struggled for pace and physicality, such scoring brought the home side to the interval with a two point lead. Though to be fair, the Northside outfit probably felt unlucky not to be taking their refreshments with a comfortable lead, and but for some errant shooting and some classy work from Murray between the sticks, the scoreboard may have sang a different tune.
Second half, a different story. The Clontarf half-time chat must have been colourful. They showed early second half dominance in every area of the pitch. Their play was pacey and selfless, and confidence grew visibly. Searing runs from deep in defence right through mid field began to pay heavy dividends and try as they might Crokes struggled for answers.
Make no mistake there were honest contributions throughout the Crokes team, none more so than from Dunbar, O'Reilly and Hayes, but alas this was a day when Crokes didn't find their A game and the well oiled 'tarf were worth every point of their lead, punishing mercilessly any flaws in the Crokes game.
On another day Crokes definitely ran these 'tarf boys to a much more balanced encounter, but for now we must admire the utter quality of their game and wish them all the best in the rest of the championships. 

 

U15 League Division 1 

Sunday July 7th 2013 Venue Silverpark Report by Joe O'Brien

Kilmacud Crokes 1-6  Thomas Davis 1-11 

With a half dozen players unavailable for selection any division one fixture is going to prove a mammoth task,and Thomas Davis arrived fully prepared to probe for any signs of weakness.
Foremost on their minds no doubt,was the fact that we gave them something of a schooling in their own backyard earlier in the season.
Having spoken with some of their coaching personnel,i was left in no doubt that they felt they had a score to settle.
Right from the first whistle they seemed to vie for every ball with the intent of a hungry bear.Their passing was crisp and their movement off the ball was at all times measured and efficient.Most untypically Crokes just couldn't seem to find the pace of the game.For some reason the accuracy of the pass and the seamless interlinking between backs and the front men,which we have come to expect from this talented outfit,proved elusive and when the interval came,Davis were well worth their 0-8 to 0-2 advantage.
At the half time huddle, faces wore frustrated frowns and puzzled gazes as the coaching staff searched desparately in their armoury for an answer to the Davis onslaught.
Inevitably the ref called the sides together again.Immediately the Davis boys showed that they had no intention of allowing any chance of a Crokes recovery.Every breaking ball seemed to gravitate to a Davis hand,they appeared quicker and more assured and quite visibly their confidence swelled as they began to sense that they were about to have their day.
In fairness to Crokes,they never let up in their attempts to close the gap,and but for three or four attempts that fell just shy of the target maybe the outcome would have changed.A converted penalty brought the gap back to three points and just for a minute it seemed that the lads would pull off an escape similar to the one in the Dublin feile final,but alas as we say in sport,"it was just one of those days."
From the ensuing kick out Davis went straight down the pitch and registered a score that put the result beyond doubt.The final score showed the Tallaght outfit to be five points the better,and truth be told,on the day,they were well worthy of the victory.
Crokes for their part,can draw consolation from the fact that at this point in the season,our first in division one,only two teams have got the better of us.Every sport provides it's peaks and troughs,it matters not whether you're Djokovich,Cooper or Crokes but soon enough form will return,and annoying wides will be replaced by plentiful points and normal service will resume."Sooner the better" I say.

U15 League Division 1 

Sunday June 30th 2013  Venue: Martin Savage Park   Photos: Frances Mullin

Kilmacud Crokes 4-7  v St. Oliver Plunketts  1-9

 

Click on the above picture for more photographs

  

 

U15 League Division 5 

Saturday May 25th 2013  Venue Silverpark Report by Matt Cahill

Scoil Uí­ Chonaill 5-8 to Kilmacud Crokes B 2-4 

 SCOIL SET US A TOUGH TEST

Despite a sluggish start we played enough good football early on to have built up a decent half-time lead. Cian Moriarty at left half back had a mighty game. His fielding and general play were excellent. One surge forward after starting a counter-attack ended up with a goal. Cian's low-drive was never going anywhere but the bottom corner. Great determination shown here. Full back Dermot English continues on an upward curve. Right-corner back Tom Cordial impressed with an important interception and classic catch over the head.

Right-half forward Cal Kavanagh looked lively - he tucked away his penalty with great assurance. Michael Lyndsey's pace at corner forward unsettled Scoil's defence any time we got the ball that far up the pitch. In another committed performance, mid-fielder Rory Fitzpatrick scored a fine point from close range. Another highlight was a brave block by Rory. After falling four points down very early we clawed our way back to parity. Some unforced errors undid all the good work but there was no lack of effort which was very encouraging to see.

Half-time:- Scoil Uí­ Chonaill 2-2 Kilmacud Crokes 2-1.

Scoil upped their game in the second half and immedietly we were under the cosh. Fergal McGinley in goals "stood tall" in the face of the onslaught and could not be faulted for anything that went last him. Our attacks dried up for a while as Scoil "made hay" and then Daithi Sultan sprung into life and was unlucky not score on a few occasions. Likewise sub Luke Nestor's smart shot whistled by the post. Half-forward Conor scored our last point with a neat finish. Another shot struck the crossbar. When your luck is out, its out. Scoil ran out convincing winners in the end but our late rebellion augers well for other days.

Playing on or managing the second team can be a difficult task. It is important to never let results or below par performances get you down. Patience is required and you have to emphasise the positive. Always there are bright moments which give hope for the future. So it was with this game. Once again we were up against the one and only team of a club. Several of their players would be on our A team. Some of our players showed potential to be excellent players given time. There is no rush after all. Beidh lá eile an bPaorach!

U15A Kilmacud Crokes 3-6 v St. Brigids 1-16

Silverpark - Sunday May 26th

Click on the above picture for more photos from the match
(S.Dagg & F. Mullin)

 

Under 15 league Division 5

Tuesday 7th May 2013   Venue Silver Park  Report by Matt Cahill

Ballyboden B 6-8 Kilmacud Crokes 5-7.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT Silver Park and the evening was throwing us the merest hint of summer's promise. Once upon a time, the mists of time now, "fadó, fadó" , we were out there kicking football ourselves. Nothing beats playing but seeing our own children keeping the tradition going is compensation enough.

This was a performance to gladden the heart forged as it was in the teeth of adversity. Murphy's Law operated straightaway. We found it hard to get out of first gear as Ballyboden went into overdrive - and pronto. Their early blitzkrieg stunned us - three goals and a point to nil very early doors. Our heads were scratched, this was not in the script at all, at all! Admittedly two of the goals were just plain unlucky ones to concede. We were under siege from a cohesive team full of running, excellent passing and with a fondness for going for goal which in a way helped us and cost them a "rake" of points.

Our early highlights were all defensive. It was " backs-to-the-wall" time. Whole-hearted centre-back Conal Keane performed bravely throughout - one by now trademark block by Conal lifted us. Michael O'Connor's pace at cornerback saw him intercept time and again. Jack Byrne fought for everything at left corner-back as usual and launched countless counter-attacks with customary dash. In the middle of a great last line of resistance full back Dermot English was a tower of strength. This trio gave the term "last ditch defence" a whole new meaning. Another bright moment was when mid-fielder Richard Barnwell arrived out of nowhere to steal a ball which thwarted yet another promising Ballyboden attack.

It seemed to take forever for Crokes to gain a foothold at the race course end. Eventually full-forward Matthew Cahill gathered well and turned quickly to score the first point of a good evening's personal haul. Energetic right-half forward Daithí­ Sultan made it three with a "cuilí­n an-dheas" from an acute angle. Willow-o-the- wisp Colm O' Shea at top-of-the-right was threatening for a while before gathering and turning in one movement and he placed the ball low into the bottom corner - a real citeog's goal reminiscent of Robin Van Persie. Iontach are fad! Kieran Horan made great runs into space at left corner-forward and laid off cleverly to team mates.

Gradually as we competed better in every sector we gave as good as we got. Mid-fielders Rory Fitzpatrick and Richard Barnwell started infuencing affairs. Callum Raftery at left half-forward foraged well and hit some useful passes. We were making inroads. The earlier the ball went into the inside line the more dangerous we looked. So by half time by " digging in" we had limited the damage to only a seven point deficit.

Half time score Ballyboden 3-4 to Crokes 1-3.

Water and encouraging words from management at the interval sent thelads out in determined mood even if Mrs Sultan and Mrs Raftery lamented the absence of oranges. Managers can never get it right! It was a case of "tús maith leath na h-oibre" in the second act. Another sniping run by corner-forward Colm O'Shea ended up with a great shot which thundered off the cross-bar. Matthew Cahill was on to the rebound in a flash and slotted a neat goal - RVP arí­s!. We were in business! David O' Farrell, released from goal-keeping duties, landed two delicious points from difficult angles on the left to cap a combative performance. In an exciting period scores were swopped several times, point for point, goal for goal. Michael Lyndsey made a big impact as super sub, threatened continuously and capped it all
with a fine goal.

Oscar " Ozzie" O' Farrell had really upped his game and was winning priceless possession and driving us forward. The deliveries were bang on. Added to that his superbly flighted 45 caused havoc and ended in a penalty which Oscar slotted home with admirable coolness. " Take it out of that!" His namesake Ozzie Ardilles would have been proud of the strike. There was more to come as he chalked up another goal minutes later. The scores were level - the game was truly on. What a comeback! Still the chances came but we could not land the knock-out punch. Inevitably Ballyboden broke out and landed the game-breaking goal against the run of play. It was a cruel twist in the tale of a remarkable come-back story.

While our scoring flourishes were eye-catching, the basis for the comeback was the honest effort from goalkeeper out. Callum Raftery took over the keeping duties in the second half and was soundness personified and his judicious kick outs found a Crokes shirt nearly every time- just like Stephen Cluxton does for Dublin. Half back Tom Cordial was as consistent as ever and courageous to a fault. Tom drove forward at every opportunity from the off. Another super sub Fergal McGinley at right-half back kept his immediate opponent under wraps with a diligent performance. On the "forty" ( Centre-forward) Cian Moriarty played a great team game in doing his main job well but also helping out way beyond his position.

Also putting massive shifts when the going got tough were the mid-field pairing of Richard Barnwell and Rory Fitzpatrick who never let up over an exhausting hour. This was particularly true in the second half up the hill. One highlight was Rory's chase back fifty yards to snaffle a ball which prevented a certain score. Unglamorous graft like that is vital to any team. Luke Nestor came on in the second half and added threat to the inside line.

This game showed that we have youngsters made of the right stuff. So much went wrong but character and perseverance brought them right back into the game. Who knows how far they will go with encouragement and as skills improve over time? It was a miss-match considering the height and heft advantage Ballyboden had but in the end the lads made light of the size differential and showed immense character and if anything were superior in the skills department.

We were lucky to see an excellent game between two very commited teams. There were some great moments which these lads can remember and build on for the future. A loss will be recorded in the ledger but this was, to use the cliche, a moral victory and a dramatic, gutsy and flairful performance by our team.

 

Crokes scores:- M. Cahill 1- 4, O. O' Farrell 2-0, C. O' Shea 1-0,
M.Lyndsey, 1-0 D. O' Farrell 0-2, D. Sultan 0-1.

Matt Cahill
Bealtaine 2013

U15A League Division 1:

">Tuesday 7th May 2013     Venue St. Anne's Park     Reporter Joe O'Brien

Kilmacud Crokes 5-19 Naomh Barróg 3-06

Click on the image for more photos

It seems unjust that a teams own guile and ability should act as a banana skin and contribute to their undoing, but when ten points separated Crokes and Barrog after only eleven minutes of play it seemed like Crokes biggest challenge would be to remain focused on the job with so much of the game still ahead of them.
An explosion of early points splattered the scoreboard from so many directions that it was a task to keep accurate count or to name the scorers.The dynamic Hayes galloped like Gallileo all over the defence and pointed with impunity from varying angles.He wasn't the sole source of Barrog's torment,as earlyscores were also credited to the busy Ryan Donnelly,and Adam Kelly and the stylish Brian Carr chipped in with attempts of their own.
Barrog attacks in the first half were like the white tailed eagles of County Kerry,they were harmless enough,and there were only three of them!Eleven minutes stole past on the clock before they registered their first score,and the umpire had to be woken up to raise his flag in acknowledgement.Crokes defence,though seldom troubled,was always super organised with Mikey,Eoghan,David Dagg and Paul Leonard dominating in the air and on the ground.A brief inspection of this tidy defence would show that they don't merely have positions,they have territories where trespassers are swiftly dispersed.
On 22 minutes Matt Barry joined the fray and waves of attacks continued until the interval when the exhausted scoreboard left no doubt regarding the superior outfit. 3-12 to 0-4 were the details.
The second half saw a resumption in proceedings as Barry eliminated any hope of their recovery when he rifled home from close range to record a fourth goal.
Numerous attacks continued, Michael Roche got busy finding varying angles of passing , Carsey, Donnelly and Hayes all continued their impressive displays.
On 35 minutes Jim Gibbons announced his arrival with the most assured fielding to quash Barrogs front men. One minute later a laser accurate pass from Cian Ryan found Donnelly who cheekily popped it over from a close but narrow angle. Similar passing excellence from Sean Conroy positioned Barry to rattle the net again on 38 minutes. In midfield meanwhile, Nolan and O'Brien maintained control and distributed impressively. In the closing stages, it might be said that Crokes eased off a little, and Barrog netted twice in quick succcession but this late flurry was never nearly enough to alter matters. In boxing terms, it should have been stopped in the first round. When the final whistle came the score-keeper replaced the batteries in his calculator and confirmed that the score was 5-19 to 3-06  

Click on the above photo for more pictures from the game

 

 

 

U15A League Division 1

 

 

 

 

Sunday 14th April 2013  Venue:Ballyboden St Enda's. Report by Joe O'Brien

Ballyboden St Enda A 2-6  Kilmacud Crokes A 1-12

Long before any player rose on Sunday morning,the weather gods had decided that it was going to be a day for mischief.The subject for such mischief would be aspiring G.A.A. players and their quest for excellence and development of their craft.When the ref threw in the ball at 11.30 the waiting midfielders were immediately tricked as they tried to read it's flight and the ball descended a full ten metres from the centre mark.Asudden wild gust rose and swept Donal Gallagher off his feet and away from his umpiring duties.The game was delayed as a rescue team recovered him from a garden in neighboring Terenure.The game resumed.

The first score was recorded on two minutes,when Dan O'Brien posted a free from 30 metres and pointed again a minute later from play from a similar distance.Wind assisted,the Crokes front men enjoyed much of the possession allowing excellent scores from a busy Donnelly who finished expertly from his left side.On sixteen minutes Elliot converted the sweetest of scores from a 45,but the score of the half came on 24 minutes when Gallagher found himself penned in wide on the right.A swift turn onto his right allowed him to launch high towards the posts,his accuracy confirmed with the rising of the umpire's hand.
Traffic however,was not all one way as the well organised 'Boden showed that they too had clear designs on victory.Across the back,Mullin as ever marshalled any advances on his side.Just as busy were the cool-headed Ryan and Dagg and their contrbution ably assisted by timely interceptions from Jim Gibbons and the irrepessable Brian Carr.On fourteen minutes a slick Boden advance was snuffed out by Jack Keating with a timely tackle and the the most courageous of blocks.Bodens industrious surges almost paid heavy rewards when Crokes were harshly penalised yielding a penalty twenty minutes in. Confidence in Murray was justifiably high between the sticks but his genius was not called upon as the Boden forward scuffed his effort low to Murray's right. On 29 minutes having taken up numerous clever positions, Sean Conroy saw his whistling snapshot graze the outside of the upright.

A most work-man like display saw Crokes greet the half time whistle with a three point lead having admirably harnessed the wildest of elements.
The second half proved to be a different story in terms of both possession and territory.The well organised Boden mercilessly pounded our defence who found themselves under almost constant assault. Stern resistance was offered in the shape of Mullen, Dagg, Ryan and Gibbons,whose busy shift forced Boden to hurry themselves into no less than sixteen wides in the second half alone. The competent Murray in goal grew weary of the extraordinary tally of kick outs that were heaped upon him. For his part he turned in a superbly assured performance and was woefully unlucky in the 48th minute when a ball he had comfortably measured was swept from his grasp by a cruel gust and nestled in the back of his net.
On 51 minutes,Hayes, with a blinding run on the left flank closed in on goal and his superbly struck effort was denied only by the highest class of goalkeeping.The battle was at it's hottest now with Crokes reduced to sporadic counter attacks,two of which were led by mazy runs from the ultra skillful Adam Kelly.Through the middle,Boden dared to breach the resilient Nolan,whose tackle count was rising by the second.In the middle Leonard and O'Reilly started to find possession from somewhere and relieve thepressure on the now tiring defence.Second half scores were proving scarce.Two of them came from O'Brien and O'Reilly,but the move of the match brings us back to the 37th minute when Dan and Nathan linked up cleverly to release the pacey Matt Barry in an advanced position.Barry unselfishly fed Donnelly who pierced the last line of defence to crash the ball low to the 'keepers right and bulge the net.
Forty two minutes saw the introduction of Andrew Kilgallen,who twice took vital possession to press home Crokes superiority over a gallant but now tiring Boden team.Soon after the impressive Dunbar joined the fray to close out the match with Crokes on the better end of the scoreline by three points as the clock moved to injury time.When the final whistle blew,a collective sigh of relief came from the Crokes supporters who saw their side win brilliantly having been pushed every inch of the way by an excellent Ballyboden outfit.Promising times for this classy group.
 

Fermoy U15A Football Tournament

Saturday 30th march 2013  Reports by Joe O'Brien

Early starts were the order of the day over the Easter weekend as our under 15s took to the pitch in Parc Mac Gearailt to compete in the Pa O'Brien memorial tournament.

Our first match threw in at 10.30 and our opponents were Gaultier.Despite netting in the first minute a few wides in succession suggested that our work would be cut out prising a result from a stubborn and tenacious Gaultier outfit.

However our superiority eventually became apparent as the first half progressed.Scores from among others,Paddy Flaherty,Dan O'Brien,Ryan Donnelly,and the tireless Jack Keating saw us take the half time break with a comfortable 3-3 to no score lead.

If the first half prompted us to think we'd have it all our own way,we were soon to realise that Gaultier had other ideas.They netted early in the second period, and from that put in a spirited display before Crokes began to re emerge as the controlling force.

Right through the team,competence,technical ability and focus began to shine through.More and more frequently Flaherty began to rise and collect in the middle.Mullin, Leonard and Gibbons exhibited the sharpest of responses around any loose ball while Cian Ryan and Nathan linked up well turning possession into incisive attack.

Between Ryan Donnelly's sweeping runs accross the front line and Keating's breath-taking work rate and ball carrying, Gaultier were at a loss to know what to do or who to mark.All over the park excellent contributions from Jim Gibbons,Eoin Bleakley,and Michael Roche along with Niall's calm style of goalkeeping and clever distribution,ensured there was no mistake at the final whistle as Crokes emerged convincingly on a scoreline of 6-6 to 1-0.

In the second group match against Bóthar Buí­,Crokes moved from strength to strength.Jack Gallagher and Brian Carr started to move through the gears,dominating in possession and mopping up loose ball hungrily.All around the pitch assured   performances flowed.David Dagg and Stephen Horgan eased their way into proceedings and the management  were left in no doubt as to the strength in depth that this squad enjoys.

Among the scorers in this game were Flaherty,Keating,David Dagg and Adam kelly.This time the final scoreboard reflected a little more comfort not to mention total supremacy  on the part of the impressive Crokes.

For the third match Crokes were afforded no rest period as the busy timetable required an immediate turnaround.Here our opponents were a stubborn Glanmire team and our slight leg-weariness was reflected in the time it took us to break the deadlock. The full of eight minutes had elapsed before scores from the rangy Matt Barry pulled us into an uneasy lead.Jack Keating added another point,well deserved for his insatiable work rate and desire for possession and to put the contest beyond question Leonard latched onto an excellent offload from Eoin Bleakely to set the net dancing  and dislodge a few icicles from the  crossbar.(Did I mention that it was BALTIC?!!!)

Assured displays in every position cemented our berth in the semi final,and if a weakness exists among this squad of twenty it wasn't apparent on these showings.

3.15 saw the ref toss in the ball to start our semi final against Sam Maguires.Early forays into our goal mouth saw Murray called into action more than once as this Maguires team sought to ruffle the feathers of this calm Crokes outfit.Mullin again lead by example with stout and selfless effort.Much the same offering from Leonard,Gibbons and Ryan as a trio excellently feeding Dagg,Stephen Horgan and Jack Gallagher,who in turn wasted very little in assissting scores from Donnelly,Keating,Matt Barry and indeed David Dagg himself.Around the pitch,other notable contributions came from Sean Conroy,Dan O'Brien,Flaherty,Kelly,Nolan and Jack Gallagher.Half time arrived showing Crokes with a lead of 1-5 to 0-2.The second half saw much huffing and puffing from a spirited Sam Maguires,but the assured calm of Sean Dunbar now firing on all cylinders in defence along with Murray and Mullin saw Crokes breast the tape comfortably on a 2-9 to 0-3 scoreline.

Only 30 minutes rest and Crokes were back on in search of a glorious victory.The early pattern of the game very much favored the able Kerins O Rahilly's team.In the opening half they enjoyed the lion's share of possession which saw our defence put in a mammoth shift with very little of the ball.They pointed after four minutes and again soon after from a free to go to the interval 0-2 to no score in the lead.That said,Crokes played into a considerable breeze and still held them to two scores,one from a free.The second period didn't start  well for Crokes when only three minutes in the ref spotted an infringement in our goalmouth and flapped like an albatross to signify a penalty.Breaths were held as their impressive no. 14 stepped up.He struck cleanly low to Murrays left but Murray with cobra-like reflexes lowered himself rapidly to smother the attempt.Again soon after Murray was called on to block with his legs an attempt that would surely have wrapped things up in their favour.Our mid field sprung to life with Flaherty and Dagg beginning to find the forwards ,O Brien fed wide to Barry who found Kelly to record our first score with seven minutes left.More than once crokes looked to Nathan Nolan's steel resolve to snuff out any danger.Two minutes left,and Ryan Donnellyand Matt Barry  post sublime scores to give us a one point lead with a minute to go.Tension reigned as the ball loosened in mid field.Flaherty pounced and fed Dan. O' Brien with laser precision dropped the ball into Barry wide on the right.From his angle the posts could have seemed no more than millimetres apart.John West wouldn't have squeezed a sardine in there.Barry had no such difficulty with a size five as he sent it soaring towards the grey skies.The ball dropped,the white flag rose,so did the arms of the Crokes supporters,and Pa O'Brien came up the M8 to Stillorgan.  

  

ANOIS TEACHT AN EARRAIGH, BEIDH AN Lí DUL CHUN SHíNEADH

OUR INTREPID UNDER 15B FOOTBALLERS SET SAIL

Spring is here; the hibernation is over. The daffodils have bloomed and the days are longer - let the games begin....! Our under 15 B footballers have had an excellent start to their campaign with two solid team performances. In the season-opener, a loss to a strong St Brigids team on an unusual scoreline of 7-1 to 1-3 masked the fact that this was a very competitive fixture. A week later our scoring potential was unleashed in a 9-7 to 4-7 defeat of a lively Liffey Gaels.

GOAL GLUT DOWN BY THE LIFFEY

Sunday 17th February 2013   Venue Liffey Park  Report by Matt Cahill

Kilmacud 9 -7 to Liffey Gaels 4 -7

If scores were scarce the week previously, the opposite was the case here as our sharpshooters notched a very handsome tally. A bit like Manchester United at present we leaked a fair few scores as well. It made for an entertaining game and goals were the order of the day. There was some outstanding individual displays and team work of high calibre. The overture was bright and breezy against a stiff enough wind. Mid-fielder Sean Curley slotted over a point to start the ball rolling for us. Some good moves broke down usually due to a delayed pass but eventually right half-forward Michael Roche forced home the first of his two goals. Alex Kinihan surged powerfully from midfield to score a brace of goals. Corner-forward David O'Farrell showed well
for the ball and linked the moves intelligently. We were on song.

However Liffey Gaels playing with plenty of heart gradually made inroads in spite of the sterling efforts of our strong half-backline of Jack Byrne, Cian Moriarty and Tom Cordial. Jack always willing to carry the ball to the opposition. One catch of Cian's stood out. Our full back line was also impressive, Calum Raffterty, Conal Keane and
Michael O' Connor - Conal's outstanding block underlining his fierce commitment to the cause. It was real "end-to-end" stuff. Scores were swapped time and again. Liffey Gaels edged ahead but busy full forward Jack Keating scored a rebound to leave us ahead 4-2 to 3-4 at the break.

With the wind in our sails we set about our task with great gusto. Our scoring rate quickly reached a crescendo. Centre-forward Matthew Cahill fired a quick two goals and a point augmented by two excellent points from Michael Roche. Some fine football yielded a host of scores even if occasionally we over-ran the ball when a pass to a
player in a better position would have paid dividends. Kieran Horan scored a cool point and then flicked on intelligently to launch another promising move. The flick was worth the admission money alone! Further goals from Alex Kinihan, Michael Roche and Jack Keating completed the goalfest.

Jack's presence around the middle of the park in the second half proved important. Sean Curley again sortied forward from midfield to land a point . Our final score showed how simple a game gaelic football can be. The hard-working Rory Fitzpatrick hit a long diagonal pass early into Matthew Cahill's path whose quick transfer found Sean O' Sullivan unmarked. Sean nonchalantly tapped over for his point. Cuilí­n deas!

Smiles all round. A lot to enthuse about here. The improvement in individual skills and team work is great to see.The players and team are works in progress. It all happens diaidh i ndiaidh. Comhghairdeas gach éinne!

In the Liffey Gaels clubhouse, the regular Sunday morning Irish classes were in full swing. As I entered I was greeted "trí­ gaeilge" which was surprising and refreshing. With commitment to the language like that it will always prosper. A plaque on the wall bore the poignant legend " i ndí­l chuimhne Eilí­s Ní­ Fhionnagain a chailleadh sa tsunami..." She was a "Múinteoir Gaelach" at Liffey Gaels between 1999 and 2001 who tragically lost her life in the tsumami in Thailand. One of the teachers looked out the window as the teams readied themselves for the throw in. "Tá an t-earrach ann anois, the young lads are out  playing again, it is great to see" he said. It is indeed.

In the meantime we have had two more games where the team has performed very well. Although losing to St Patrick's on another quirky scoreline of 5-1 to 1-9 some fine football was played. It is difficult to take losing when you score four more times than the opposition but these things things happen. The most important thing is that the
effort and performance were present and correct irrespective of the result. In the most recent game a courageous "backs-to-the-wall" performance away to Westmanstown Gaels was reward with a two point victory. Fortune favoured a really brave performance from our lads on this occasion. Bhí­ siad go léir thar barr.

Over all a good start to the campaign. Tús maith, leath na h-oibre!.

Older members will remember the poem from their schooldays

le Antaine Ó Raifteirí­ 1784-1835


"Anois teacht an Earraigh
beidh an lá dúl chun shí­neadh,
Is tar eis na féil Brí­de
ardóigh mé mo sheol.
Go Coillte Mach rachad
ní­ stopfaidh me choí­che
Go seasfaidh mé sí­os
i lár Chondae Mhaigh Eo."


I gClár Chlainne Mhuiris
A bheas mé an chéad oí­che,
Is I mballa taobh thí­os de
A thosós mé ag ól
Go Coillte Mách rachad
Go ndéanfad cuairt mhí­osa ann
I bhfogas dhá mhí­le
Do Bhéal an átha Mhóir.


Fágaim le huacht é
go n-éirí­onn mo chroí­-se
Mar a éirí­onn an ghaoth
nó mar a scaipeann an ceo
Nuair a smaoiní­m ar Cheara
nó ar Ghaileang taobh thí­os de
Ar Sceathach an Mhí­le
nó ar phlánaí­ Mhaigh Eo.


Cill Aodáin an baile
a bhfásann gach ní­ ann,
Tá sméara is subh craobh ann
is meas de gach sórt,
Is dá mbéinnse i mo sheasamh
i gceartlár mo dhaoine
D'imeodh an aois dí­om
is bheinn arí­s óg.


Bí­onn cruithneacht is coirce,
fás eorna is lí­n ann,
Seagal i gcraobh ann,
arán plúir agus feoil,
Lucht déanta poití­n
gan licence á dhí­ol ann,
Móruaisle na tí­re ann
ag imirt is ag ól.


Tá cur agus treabhadh
is leasú gan aoileach
Is iomaí­ sin ní­ ann
nár labhair me go fóill,
áitheanna is muilte
ag obair gan scí­th ann,
Deamhan caint ar phingin cí­osa
ná dada dá shórt

Sunday 10th February 2013   Venue Russell Park Report by Matt Cahill

St Brigids 7-1 to Kilmacud 1 -3

For a newly constituted team we had a very bright and cohesive start and led for most of the first half. The only disappointing aspect was that the scoreboard did not truly reflect our good work. Loughlin Regan opened our account early with a well taken goal - his lob completely deceiving the keeper- tús maith, leath na h-oibre! Maith an fear, Loughlin! Sean Curley was lording the mid-field sector and found time to land two well-taken points. Wing-forward Colm O' Shea completed our scoring after being found by an excellent pass from hard-working centre three-quarter Rory Fitzpatrick. It took a long time for St Brigids to get into the game at all.That was thanks to a very vigilant rearguard. Full-back Eoin O' Siocrú was tenacious and at centre-back Matthew Cahill broke up many attacks at source. The dynamic Tom Cordial fetched a few high ones at left half-back. On the other side Cian Moriarty repelled all comers - one great catch in particular underlining his potent ial.But a few bad breaks yielded lucky goals against the run of play for Brigids and gave them hope and a surprising half-time lead..

We were not helped in the second half by the God of weather unleashing his worst at us. Wind and biting cold rain in our faces made our task difficult. It took a while but Brigids ran in a few flattering goals. But there was no surrender here. Players tried to the end. Wholehearted defenders Jack Byrne and Conal Keane competed for every ball. Mid-fielder Daithi Sultan worked diligently especially when the tempest blew at it's fiercest. Brother Barney would have been impressed. Corner forward Kieran Horan linked the moves cleverly - one instinctive flick in particular wrongfooted the Brigids defence. Sometimes you dont need more than one touch to make a difference. In
an excellent counter-attack Rory Fitzpatrick rattled the crossbar as our attacks continued without any luck. Leaving the scoreboard out of it, there were a lot of positives to be taken from this outing. Everyone got a decent run which is the main thing. There was plenty of bravery on view and the potential was there for all to see.

An interesting feature of the fine set up at Russell Park is the handball alleys and there practising was Eoin Kennedy an All-Ireland winner many times. Of course Kilmacud Crokes have had their own handball players namely Kilkenny man Eugene Downey a world champion in the early nineties. ( Eugene also was a star footballer) His brother John is also an ace handballer and current Crokes member. DJ Carey and Peter Canavan among many others recommend this ancient game for its benefits for fitness and reactions transferable to other sports. It is also great fun to play as many do life-long.