Under 12 Football - Ardara Trip 10-12 June 2011
Everyone who travelled knew it had been a special occasion, but the comments on the club website reminded everyone of just how good it had been. To see the comments from the Ardara and St.Eunans clubs about the behaviour of the team and travelling party was heart-warming.
Huge credit for an enormously successful trip goes to the team within the team – the mentors. They are Brian Barnes, Paul Reinhardt, John Crosse, Ben McCarthy, Paddy Miskelly and Dave Peyton. These men have put a tremendous amount of time and effort into this group of lads over the past few years and they are certainly reaping the rewards.
Having travelled up to Ardara by car and coach on Friday, the lads were foddered and spent a bit of time around the village, before being sent to bed early – certainly just about the right side of midnight.
The grown-ups checked out Nancy’s and the Hotel before settling on the Corner House with its excellent music sessions.
On Saturday morning, we were all full of Irish break-fasts and ready for a hectic schedule on the pitch on Saturday.
It was raining as we left the hotel and we expected a wet day. Little did we know the sun would come out to split the rocks later, adding another ingredient to what would become a perfect day.
Every player left together as a panel with those playing later all coming out with their parents to support the first team out.
Ardara Select v. St. Sylvesters Select
The action started with a challenge match against an Ardara Select side on their home patch. The Syls boys revelled in the loud and enthusiastic support from their non playing team mates and travelling supporters, who filled the small stand at pitchside. In a tight match full of skilful play, both sides traded points until half time, when the sides went in even at 1-3 to 0-6. One of the highlights of the first half was the 1-1 scored by Christopher Sheridan, especially the sheer delight after he buried his goal.
Joseph Haughey was enjoying his finest match in a Syls shirt, regularly bursting through the middle of the pitch to launch attack after attack. In the forward line, Aaron McCormack showed his predatory instinct with a goal from close in and then followed it up with a goal from a long distance shot and a point from a similar distance.
Barry Crosse did very well with his kick-outs, Adam Ennis showed great determination. Ciaran Lynch was surely our Man of the Match, surging forward.
With Ryan McCarthy keeping things tight at the back, Syls kept in touch with their determined opponents. Callum Miskelly continued to probe down the right as the hosts kept their noses in front by the odd point. As the match headed towards its conclusion it looked as though the visitors would start their campaign with a defeat.
Conor Mulcahy was showing well in attack now, Ben O’Neill was warming to the task at the back and Stephen Wogan was showing why he has been playing so well lately.
However, the lads showed great spirit and were rewarded for their resilience when, following a massive goalmouth scramble, Darren Curran pounced on a loose ball to hammer home the winning score. As the final whistle blew, the Syls boys enjoyed the acclaim of the travelling support and swapped seats with their club mates for the start of the Memorial Tournament.
St. Sylvesters v. Naomh Conaill
It was an edgy start to the competitive action for the boys as they took time to settle on the greasy surface. The clever movement of the Naomh Conaill forwards was also causing some unease in the Syls rearguard. At the other end of the pitch, Syls were guilty of some profligacy as they squandered a succession of chances to put one foot in the semi finals.
The visitors from Malahide were a point behind as they trooped off for their half time team talk. (1-2 to 1-1). Whatever Brian Barnes said at the break had the desired effect as Sylvesters came out with more purpose in the second period. Playing a more direct game, the forward line of Brian Murray, A.J. McCabe and Daniel Brennan all contributed strongly as we got the scores.
At the other end, Mikey Dowling, Josh Reinhardt and Aaron Lynch got to grips with the movement of the Glenties forwards while Daniel Deneher and Phelim Butler gained control of midfield. At the end of the 30 minutes, the boys ran out winners by 2-6 to 1-5. Unfortunately, the win came at a cost as injury ruled out Luke Hughes for the remainder of the tournament.
St. Sylvesters v. St. Eunans
Syls sat out the second game of the group as St. Eunans ended Naomh Conaill’s chances of a semi final place. This meant that the Syls management team had the luxury of being able to deploy their full squad, thus ensuring that every player got plenty of game time. It was great to see the injured Robbie O’Brien get on the field to take part during this game.
It was clear from this match that St. Eunans represented the biggest threat to Syls’ hopes of taking the trophy back to Church Road. Their pocket sized playmaker was controlling the game, consistently finding his centre forward with well placed passes. The tall centre forward, blessed with an educated left foot, was finding the target whenever he got within range.
As a result, the hardworking Syls team found the going tough as their forwards were starved of quality possession. These opponents gave the Syls management team plenty of food for thought as they romped home with a total of 5-5 without reply. Despite the score line, Colm Casey did very well up front.
Semi Final: Dungiven v. St. Sylvesters
It is safe to say that the semi final provided most of us with one of the greatest sporting experiences on a football pitch. For GAA fans of a certain age, Sean Daly’s winning goal with the last kick of the match ranks with Seamus Darby’s famous strike to deny Kerry a 5 in a row way back in 1982. For Liverpool fans it ranked with Istanbul 2005, Man United fans compared it to Bayern Munich in 1999 and rugby fans put it ahead of any Heineken Cup win you could mention!
As the 30 minutes expired, Syls were 2 points behind and at the mercy of the referee’s sense of timing. Syl’s had been the better team but had seen four goal chances brilliantly saved by the opposing keeper. Expectations were low as up to this point, as we felt the ref had been a little rough on us. Maybe he felt we were owed one last chance...
Two minutes of time had been added as Daniel Deneher, displaying typical never say die spirit, retrieved a loose ball to the left of the Syls goal, near the corner. His clearance found Daniel Brennan who helped the ball on to Jack Whelan down the left. As Jack approached the covering defender, many hearts were in mouths as the vociferous support watched Sean Daly move into a perfect position, unmarked, in front of goal.
At this point, Syls got the little bit of luck that their great performance deserved when the Dungiven defender bought a dummy and lost his footing, allowing Jack to coast past him. Jack’s short pass was unerring as he found his high scoring colleague in front of goal. Sean wasted no time in collecting the pass and firing an unstoppable shot passed a bewildered goalkeeper. As the ball crashed into the net, the sound of the referee’s final whistle was drowned out by the noise of Syls’ ecstatic fans lifting the roof off the small stand at Pearse Memorial Park. We will never forget the look of sheer joy on Sean’s face as he rang towards the stand.
Now our team of mentors earned their crust as they had to bring the boys back down to earth for the final itself....
Ardara Select V St.Sylvesters Select
The first Select match had been such a success that we agreed with the hosts to have a re-match. This meant a second game for every player and was hugely enjoyable. Ardara had a strong team out, and we were level at half time with great performances from Niall Mahon in attack, James Kiernan in the half forwards, Eoin O’Brien in the full-back line and Conor Daly in the half backs .
In the second half, as all players tired, we battled well to earn a draw 2-4 to 1-7.
Great performances from Gareth O’Brien at centre half back, Joe Kelly in midfield, , Geoff Gilmore, and Alex Gibson in the forwards along with Adam Fitzpatrick at the back and hard-working Liam Butler in midfield helped us to get the share of the spoils.
Ciaran Shiels was determined to play in this game and dominated at the back.
FINAL: Naomh Ultain (St. Eunan’s) v. St. Sylvesters
The boys from Letterkenny started off where they ended the group match, notching a couple of early scores before the Malahide boys had found their rhythm. Phelim Butler and Osian Dullaghan had the unenviable task of keeping the Naomh Conaill dangermen quiet and both acquitted themselves well. Midway through the half, Syls launched an attack that would pay rich dividends as they collected their first point of the match, courtesy of Daniel Denegher
They then proceeded to pin their opponents in their own half, racking up 3 further points in quick succession, scored by Phelim, Daniel and Jack The first half was nip and tuck thereafter as the Donegal boys replied with a few scores of their own, their gifted centre forward again finding the target with ease, having been fed yet again by the hardworking playmaker in the middle of the field. With a fine goal, we went in at half-time up two points, 1-5 to 0-6. A feature of the first half was Harry Barnes’ intelligent kick-outs.
The second half was tense but with a lot of good football played. Scores for both sides were hard to come by. Our backs did very well with Denis O’Brien tigerish in the half backs. As the minutes ticked down, Syls just did enough to keep the ball in the opposition half and their noses in front on the scoreboard. Gavin Hyde did very well up front as we all worked hard. Despite Eunan’s best efforts, Syl’s finished ahead by the smallest margin, 1-6 to 0-8. As the final whistle sounded, the delirious visiting party from Malahide got the party started....
St. Eunan’s were devastated but they were heartened by a sustained round of applause by the Syl’s supporters, as they received their medals. After our lads got their medals, Joe Haughey accepted the cup on behalf of the panel. Eunan’s formed a guard of honour – fantastic sportsmanship.
A word on the hospitality from the Ardara club – it was exceptional. From the time we arrived at 9.30, until we left at 4.30, there was a constant supply of tea/coffee, sandwiches and cakes.
The town of Ardara and the parents and club are the perfect example of community spirit in action.
Ardara’s hospitality then extended to feeding over forty five of our players and children.
This was followed by one of the main highlights
We gathered at the back of the Corner House to give a memento to the players - we asked for some entertainment and boy did we get some – singing, guitar playing and tin whistle from Ciaran, Luke, Joe, AJ, Colm, Conor, and James. It was incredible. A really special two hours for everyone in that open area.
After that, it was more entertainment laid on by Ardara in the Hotel – a mixed quiz which went down extremely well.
The kids were allowed to stay up late and party – they were on a complete high – all enjoying each other’s company. We allowed the parents to stay up late as well and they did. A great night.
The following morning we headed for the beautiful beach at Nairn and had a brilliant Dad’s V Lad’s game – it finished in an honourable draw, despite the Dad’s best efforts to force a winner!
We all made our way back to Dublin from there, a tired but happy bunch.
A special thanks to all those who helped with fundraising – that was a huge effort, to those who sponsored prizes, provided food, and our main sponsor Audi North Dublin - it is all much appreciated.
A final thanks to the Ardara Club – the generosity of the club is only matched by the generosity of the local people from shops, pubs, the hotel and everyone else.
We will be making absolutely sure that we get Ardara down to Dublin, and it behoves everyone who has been up there for the last 11 years to make sure they are treated as honoured guests.
We only wish we could go again this week-end. Could we???