Skip to content.Skip to navigation

U14s into Div1 League Final

The U14A footballers visited 3rd placed Lucan on Saturday knowing that a win would guarantee us qualification for the League Final with a game to spare. All seemed to be going to plan early on as we raced in to a 3 point lead, dominance around midfield allied to some slick forward play. However, Lucan are a big physical team and managed to get on top and a goal just before half time meant we turned 1-04 to 0-6 down. Odran Monaghan, Jack Boyne, Cian Grassick and Daragh McLoughney being our standout players

Things rapidly got worse through the second half as Lucan got 2 early goals and with 10 minutes left we were 9 points down. A few switches made, a big increase in work rate and suddenly we got a bit of momentum and a few breaks. Simon Murphy pulled off a couple of great saves and our backs, Euan Farquarson, Josh Bannon and Sean Gibson started running at them and Andrew Roe thundered forward, bringing the game to Lucan. Bodies were put on the line, tackles were won which we had no right in winning, dirty ball was gobbled up, Eoghan Buckley growing at centre back, the welcome return from injury of Aaron Coleman for a 10 minute cameo and suddenly Conor Hoyne scored an inspirational point from out the wing, Sean Guiden pointed 2 45s, Josh Bannon got a great point as did Niall Smyth and the comeback was on. When Hoyner punched to the net we were back in the game. Denis Smith had his man in trouble throughout the game and running him, he won us a number of frees which we converted. When Giddy got through with 3 minutes left and we are back on level terms we were all shouting at him to put the ball over the bar. But showing the mental strength, which is a hallmark of this team, he buried the ball in the back of the net and it was game over. We tacked on 4 more points and when Lucan goaled with the last kick of the game we were now 4 up. A win 2-15 to 4-05, which scarcely looked credible with 10 minutes to go was a tribute to the belief, mental strength and courage of this great group of lads.
A special thanks to the parents who come along and support game after game, their keeping of the faith and encouragement when things were not going to plan yesterday was a big factor in the turnaround.
Everyone of the panel of 18 contributed on a very hot day. We finish the round robin part of the league in 2 weeks at home to Castleknock and then on 7th November we have the League Final.
Squad: Simon Murphy, Conor Hoyne, Jack Boyne, Euan Farquarson, Sean Gibson, Andrew Roe, Josh Bannon, Eoghan Buckley, Daragh McLoughney, Odran Monaghan, Sean Guiden, Niall Smyth, Sean McCabe, Cian Grassick, Denis Smith, Josh Reid, Peirce Clyne, Shane O'Neill and Aaron Coleman

To top