Most teams are well into their new leagues and there is much to report on. Under 14 hurlers match versus Setanta is the match report this month. Played on the cinder surface of Ringsend Park, the sun shone gloriously down on what was to be an enthralling encounter.

Recently promoted from last year’s league, a stiff contest was envisaged against the same team who had beaten them after a replay in the semi-final of the Championship last year.

The boys started off like an express train and led by 1-2 to no score after 10 minutes, with the goal coming from Kenneth Lyons, doggedly made by the persistence of Ciaran Crowe and Aidan Bolton and 2 points from Dylan Lacy.

Setanta, unbelievably made 5 forages into the Clanns 21-yard line in that first half and it yielded three goals. On the other two occasions Michael Gilroy in goal made two fantastic saves.

The main reason for the Setanta’s few attacks was the dominance of our half back line. Jordan Barnes was lording it at centre back and he was ably assisted on his flanks by Tadhg Dunne and Conor Saunders.

The lads continued to take their points and a number of excellent scores were recorded, one a left-footed kicked point by Ciaran Diviney and another beautifully taken by Michael Power to lead by two points at half time.

It was nick and tuck in the second half. Our midfield pairing of Desmond Soon and Davide Iannelli began to edge the midfield contest, with Desmond getting in some fantastic blocks and the sheer energy and skill from Davide providing a continuous supply of ball to our forward line.

Dylan Lacy caught everyone by surprise when he went for a goal midway through that second half from a free 25 yards out. The sliotar rattled the back of the net and this paved the way for victory. Sub Donal McGawley had a telling impact on second half procedures but the most telling factor for this victory was the performance of the full back line in the second half.

Shook by those first half goals the lads closed up shop for the second period. David Nangle was outstanding and was equally assisted by Anthony Byrne and Joey Sadlier on the wings. In the end the boys ran out winners by three points.

This particular team has all the raw material to make it to the very top. But they need to work harder on their game. Hurling is a game that needs to be constantly practised. Our new hurling wall project should greatly assist all our young players with their practise.

Team members: Michael Gilroy, Anthony Byrne, David Nangle, Joey Sadlier, Conor Saunders, Jordan Barnes, Tadhg Dunne, Desmond Soon, Davide Iannelli, Michael Power, Dylan Lacy, Kenneth Lyons, Ciaran Crowe, Aidan Bolton, Dylan Marr, Ciaran Diviney, Robert Lacey, Dean Coleman, Donal McGawley.

Adult lady footballers have started their campaign in fine fashion, recording two wins and a draw from 3 matches. This could be the year for them. With many talented young girls coming through to strengthen the squad, this outfit will represent a formidable challenge in their league and championship. Speedy recoveries to Grace Dunne and Louise Kane from their recent injuries.

Mark Campbell and Anthony Darcy are beginning to do some serious training at present with the U.12 squad. Speaking with Mark, he told me that they intend to work on strengthening this team in the tackle and all sessions over the next month or so will be geared towards this.

They are beginning to find their feet, numbers at training are commendable and the only way is up from now on in. If the guys work hard and put in the effort, then a very decent team can emerge from this squad.

Simon Beirne’s U.10s continue to contest admirably in their Go Games competition and Simon has some star quality in this squad.

U.11 footballers are trotting along nicely under the watchful eyes of John Dodd, John Hunt and Ray Walsh. Struggling somewhat last year, they have found a new lease of life and have won two out of their last three matches.

Numbers at training are averaging 20 at each session and hopes for the future are high. It is intended to start an U.10 and U.11 hurling team in the coming weeks. The number of youngsters at this age group seen around the area with hurleys in their hands is phenomenal. Kids in this area take to hurleys and sliotars like a duck does to water and we intend to nourish this interest in the best possible fashion.

Fontenoys, the second oldest hurling club in Dublin, was established in Irishtown Road in 1892 and is continuing to produce some fantastic hurlers.

I once was getting my hair cut (the few strings that are left) in Cecil’s when Jim (R.I.P.) came in from the back. He said that I was the very man he was looking for and that could I do anything about the amount of young people who were playing hurling in Thorncastle Street up until 11 o’clock at night.

I told the late Jim that it was the sweetest complaint that I had ever heard and that if they were playing hurling they were sure to be avoiding all the other bad distractions in society today. Jim laughed and agreed with me.

Great work is being done in the schools by Robin Booth and Michelle Fitzgerald in Ringsend and Kevin Munelly, Brian McDermott and Alan Gorman in Star of the Sea.

Mentioning Star of the Sea, the first leg of the Moclair Cup (Home) will be played on Saturday 28th April. This is the 34th year of the competition between the Star and Ballina and great credit is due to Star teacher Mick Maughan who, along with his brother Tom, organised this event all those years ago.

Every year since, this competition has kept its competitive edge and both schools have produced numerous players who went on to play Senior Football for their county. This year’s event may be a chance to revenge the All-Ireland semi final defeat to the Mayo boys last September in Croke Park and our Juvenile Coach Darren Magee has taken a special interest in this match.

Attention all you Star lads– you can save the face of Dublin Gaelic football from the humiliation of that black September day last year. Best of luck to both teams!

Inter Hurlers have got off to a great start in their new league campaign, beating St. Sylvesters and Setanta in their first two matches. In the Sylvesters match they came from 5 points down with 5 minutes to go to win by a point. However, in the first round of the Championship, which is run off on a league basis, they fell to St Vincents by 3 points, having shot 18 wides in the hour.

U.16 ladies footballers have recorded two wins and a draw in their first three matches of the new season.

Albert Hannon and Co have brought a new approach to the adult football’s second team and numbers at training are very healthy indeed. Despite losing by a point to Portobello they have recorded three other wins in their 4 matches to date and promotion is the goal this year. Speedy recovery to Stephen Cox after his recent injury.

The first team after a fantastic victory in their first match at home to Skerries Harps have come off the rails since. Their recent loss to Cuala after being 8 points in front has left serious questions to be answered from this squad. There is still a long way to go but if there is no return to form in the near future all the success gained after being promoted last year will have been in vain. I have written in glowing terms of when this team has performed well but my pen is out of ink on this team at the moment. Can you give me something to write about lads?

The Club extends its deepest sympathies to the McNaughton Family on the recent passing of Jim. Jim and his company Tilestyle were our first sponsors here at the club. Jim showed a very keen interest in the affairs of our club over a lengthy period of time and his contribution was a major factor in getting us off the ground after we moved to our new site at Sean Moore Park in 1989.

Jim was proud of his Leitrim roots and it was indeed fitting that Dublin and Leitrim were the first inter county teams ever to play in Sean Moore Park when they marked the official opening of our new Clubhouse. Ar dheis de go raibh a ainm dilis.

Our Easter Football and Hurling camp produced a massive turnout with over 200 kids partaking. The glorious weather contributed to a most enjoyable week where skills and team work were very much in evidence.

Expertly supervised by Club Coach and Dublin Inter county star Darren Magee, all participants were provided with kit bag and jerseys. Brenda Daly representing our sponsors Dublin Port Co presented all with their trophies and paraphernalia.

Summer Camps will be upon us shortly with the Hurling Camp on from 23rd to 27th July inclusive and Football Camp from 30th July to 3rd August inclusive.

At this stage the club would like to welcome Johnny Sadlier as Assistant Juvenile Coach. Johnny has donned the club Jersey since he was a nipper and was a prominent player for the Warriors in their campaign up until minor level. He plays adult football and hurling for the Clanns and has always resided in the area. There is a Tipperary connection here through his Grandfather but that’s enough of that. Johnny is a Dub and proud of it.

Noel McDonagh, he who claims to be on the telly more times than Brad Pitt, has recently taking a liking to Basketball. Noel spent a weekend in Cork recently with a belle who is well known in Basketball circles. When ribbed about a possible romantic development Noel dismissed it completely stating that it was strictly a fact finding weekend on the sport. Yeah right!

A glorious sight recently was the Hurling Go Games for Under 8s and U.9s at Sean Moore Park. These are held every fortnight and are run on a league basis. This was simply a joy to watch where backs can’t enter the forwards zone and vice versa.

The skill that was on display was unbelievable but above all one could not avoid being struck by the sheer enjoyment being expressed by the both boys and girls partaking. It is hard to single out any individual but I would have to write about Sean Saunders’s performance. He was in goal for the first half in his first match. He came out for the second half and between that and his second game scored a whopping 10 goals. Sean, a son of the Cranky Yankee and nephew of former Club legend Kieran is definitely one for the future.

Clanna Gael Fontenoy were nominated for 9 awards at the recent Dublin Docklands Young Achievers Awards held recently. In the end we won awards in three different categories, Ladies U.14s, Boys U.13s and an individual award for young Ciaran Diviney.

So we hope you all have a happy summer as we pray for rain to descend on our pitches. Water is a major problem for us at present and we would welcome any ideas from members or readers as to where we might source some water as a very dry summer is forecast.