True grit shown by Senior Hurlers
Clanna Gael senior team have recorded one win, one loss and one draw in the championship. Their win against high-flying Setanta was an epic battle with the Fontenoy lads showing true grit and determination to nose in front at the end – and stay there. All now rests with their final two matches away to both Faughs and Commercials to determine the knockout stages.
In the league their latest exploits saw them snatch a draw in the dying moments away to Ballyboden. Junior Hurlers, having unearthed a few early retirees from the Ringsend area, are enjoying a blossoming period and their recent win over Faughs at the Clubhouse suggests that it won’t be long until some of these guys are knocking on the first team door.
Inter-footballers, after a shaky start to the league, recorded a great victory over St Olafs to get their campaign up and running. In the first round of the Championship they easily accounted for St Margarets in O’Toole Park and eagerly await the next round. The return of Ricky Joyce after a 15 month exile in Van Diemen’s Land has lifted the spirits.
All things seem possible in the month of May for Clanns underage teams as our U-16s football team reached a championship final against St Patricks of Donabate after a commanding semi-final performance defeating St Maurs: 2-16 to 2-7.
It’s six wins out of six and joint top of Division 4 spot for the U-13 hurlers. They recorded their most comprehensive win of the season with an emphatic away victory over St Vincents. Controlling the game from the outset, Clanns got into their scoring stride to register some really fine points after very good passages of passing play.
The scoring spree continued into the second half, this time with goals coming as well as points. Every one of the 14 players contributed well to the performance, with Colm O’Keefe playing his best game yet in a Clanns jersey. The team was also helped in no small way by the valued contribution from a few of the U-12 squad, Conor Hennessy and Seamus McCann, whose hurling skills are a match for the best. St Vincents 1-2 Clanna Gael Fontenoy 5-14.
The team’s good form continued with a follow-up home win over St Finians from Swords. Once again, Clanns managed to wrestle early control of the game and actually kept their visitors scoreless for the first half while clocking up 1-5. Finians presented a stronger challenge in the second half and managed to hit the back of the net twice.
But it still wasn’t enough to catch the Clanns boys, who added a couple more goals and points to their tally. Once again, the team was considerably reinforced by three of the U-12 squad – Colm O’Briain, Karl Morgan and Seamus McCann – all of whom played particularly well, along with Cian O’Regan, Des Duggan and Conor Rimmer. Clanna Gael Fontenoy 3-7 St Finians 2-0.
In recent weeks the U-8s have played Kilmacud Crokes and Lucan Sarsfields in football and Good Counsel in hurling. We continue to get good numbers – fielding three football teams and two hurling.
The most challenging games were those against Lucan Sarsfields who appeared to have strength in numbers (they have six teams in total). It was also apparent that they had done some extra work – especially in relation to tackling – and they proved to be formidable opponents. Notwithstanding this, the Clanns lads stood up manfully to the challenge even on a bank holiday weekend!
The games against Kilmacud Crokes were more even – meeting three of the nine teams that Crokes have at this age group. (A complimentary text was received after this away game thanking our parents/coaches for staying on to clear up the pitches after the matches).
The hurling team made a great account of themselves against a traditionally tough Good Counsel team. Even playing against a very hairy-looking U-8 keeper who stopped nearly everything that came his way, Clanns proved too strong for their opponents and enjoyed the majority of possession. Commitment and fearless determination, which cannot be taught, was shown in this match as in all games this year.
Finally, Clanna Gael says goodbye to our popular and committed Games Development Officer, Jonney Sadlier, who has recently departed for New Zealand. Clanns are forever grateful to Jonney for developing our underage teams and youth structure, which have made substantial progress over the past number of years in a highly competitive environment. We wish Jonney the best of luck and hope to see him again soon.
Pictured above: Clanna Gael Fontenoy U16 v St Maurs.
Below: Adult Hurlers.
By Ruadhán Mac Aodháin
