‘Squeeky bum time’ seems to be the buzz phrase going around football circles at the moment and for St Patrick’s CYFC it probably sums up the current period just perfectly.

Yes, we are at that stage of the season when winners and losers will be separated by determination, character, bad decisions, good decisions and as always in sport a bit of luck. In the last edition all three senior CY sides were top of their respective league tables. Since then things have changed slightly– our 1st team now sit in second position, three points behind rivals Postal United, who have the luxury of having also played a game less.
With nine games left, if you are a realist and know the quality they possess it’s hard to see them dropping six points in the run-in while CY would have to embark on the mother of all winning runs. But as a club from the very start promotion to the next tier in intermediate football senior 1A was always the main goal and that can be achieved if we can keep the teams below us at arm’s length. Right now we have a similar lead over them as Postal do over us.

Now to the action. The first team have been in great form of late, having lost just the once to the aforementioned Postal Utd in what was a thrilling game out in a blizzard-ridden Tallaght on March 7th last.

CY led twice but eventually succumbed to their old foes 3-2, with the home side getting a last-gasp injury time winner. It was a good performance but luck wasn’t with us on that horrible Sunday morning. Before that, the lads had won four games on the bounce mostly away from home and on top of that recently booked a place in the Gilligan cup final by beating that team again Postal Utd 5-0 in Ringsend on March 21st. A magnificent display all round and the 1st team’s third major cup final since 2005. I will keep you posted on the date and venue when all is in place.

Our 2nd team are still top of the pile in Saturday major 1C but with their two closest challengers having played a few games less it’s likely that they will have to eventually settle for 3rd spot. With the consolation of a semi-final date in their gallant defence of the Joe Tynan cup, they still have plenty to play for and will be hoping to add a second cup final date to the CY end of season calendar.

It won’t be easy as it’s away to last year’s final opponents Ballyfermot Utd who will have a point to prove. League four has been good of late but dropping points earlier in the season looks likely to be costly.

Finally, our 3rd team who sit in 2nd spot in Division two Sunday have also gone unbeaten of late. However, having drawn games and with other teams playing catch-up 2nd spot is likely to be the best they can hope for. There is also a cup quarter final on the horizon to look forward to. Lastly, for this month’s update I have another three players who have been stalwarts for CY over the years.

Anthony Owens (above): 2nd team manager for the past 4 seasons, Anto has won two league titles and the Tynan cup on top of a Pollikoff winners medal as assistant to Derek Bowden with our 1st team in 2005. Anto also plays for our 3rd team winning a league medal last season, this is his 6th season with CY and he has played a huge part in our recent successes.

Thomas Dunne: The pacey winger has enjoyed four good seasons having joined the CY from Markievicz Celtic, winning the double with the 1st team in 2007, scoring a scorcher in the Pollikoff final of that year. Thomas has had his best season yet so far notching 15 goals to date, phenomenal scoring from out wide.

Leo Ridgeway: After a brief spell away from the club Leo is back with a bang. A Polikoff winner also in 2005 he added the Lanigan cup to his medal haul whilst playing for Ringsend Rovers. A quick left winger with an eye for goal, Leo has always been a CY man at heart and will hope to add another cup medal in the Gilligan cup final in the coming weeks.