By Shay Connolly
|
The preparation was all done. The bus pulled in to the Club car park at 11.00am for the 12.30 throw-in at O’Toole Park. Parents and Club members were arriving around the Club and there was a sense that something big was happening. The management team of Gareth Saunders, Albert Hannon, John Diviney and Bernard Lawless were in a huddle together in case there was some lost stone that was left unturned. The cavalcade left the club and car horns beeped in hope rather than confidence. At the game, we started brightly and led by a couple at half time. We went further ahead just after half time but then St Peregrines clawed their way back into it and brought it back to a draw with five minutes to go. It ebbed and flowed in those last five minutes and the screams and shrieks were on an emotional par to All-Ireland day in Croke Park.
The clouds of emotion opened and poured on to the glades of O’Toole Park as the first U16 championship since the Legend’s team in 1973 reached the shores of Dublin South East. No doubt this was one marvellous campaign and credit to everyone who helped deliver it. We are raising the bar of expectation here in the Club. It is great experience for our youngsters to be competing with the best and it will have a knock-on effect for all of them in later life. The Squad who brought home the silverware were: Lee Weafer, Aidan Bolton, David Nangle, James Tobin, Paul Healy, Jordan Barnes, Jay McCarthy, Robert ‘Bob’ Lacey, Dean ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald, Ciaran Diviney, Conor Saunders, Kenneth Lyons, Ciaran Crowe, James Kavanagh, Davide Ianelli, Michael Gilroy, J.P. Pugh, Dean Coleman, Jacob Farrell, Sean O’Rourke.
Race Night From the start of the night the boys meant business. All doors were manned for entrance-fee avoidance by security personnel under the stewardship of Microsoft’s own Security Specialist, Ken O’Byrne. He was ably assisted by Tipperary Tiger, Bernard Barron and John O’Malley, who spent the night signing autographs as Elvis Costello. One embarrassing moment was when Juvenile Chairman Dave Walsh was caught sneaking in a back toilet window by security, Dave blamed the downturn in market share for his act of folly and he had to pay double for his moment of madness. Inside all the parents and mentors were having a relaxing evening. Roger ‘Who’ McGrath had an identity card stuck on his lapel which read ‘Clubman of the Year’ and he regaled all the parents on what trickery he got up to win the award. Felix O’Regan was gambling heavily, trying to win some funds for the troubled banks. John Dodd and John Hunt were spoofing away about having played with the Sligo minors in the Polo Grounds in 1947. Geraldine Dodd, from Westmeath said nothing as there was nothing to say about Westmeath. J.J. Barry bid the highest for the Dublin jersey and then immediately set about examining it for strains of swine flu. Simon Beirne was crying away about his negative equity purchase in the Docklands. The Yank Saunders was sobbing uncontrollably about his negative equity in Sandymount. Donagh McDonagh was boasting about having represented Louth at U.6 level and defending Kentucky residents against corporate giants in America’s deep south. Ray Walsh was Ray Walsh and kept looking out the window to make sure his bike was locked. Pat Duffy tried to sing but was jumped upon by a group of concerned parents. Maurice Hennessy couldn’t make it because of fog in Dublin Airport. Seamus Collimore was claiming that Sean Lemass adapted his policies in the 60s economic revolution. Stephen McCann was claiming a B cap for Ireland in rugger. Gay Murphy was exaggerating his bronze medal for Rowing at the 1956 Olympics in Uganda. (I thought they were held in Northern Rhodesia). Amid all this, the new parents were amazed at the amount of important people and life achievers that Clanna Gael Fontenoy have in their Juvenile ranks. Some politicians were there with brave faces. The President and the Taoiseach sent their apologies. Towards the end of a very long night and the net profit of sixteen pounds, sixteen shillings and five and a half pennies was counted everybody togged out for an after midnight charity match that included, Football, Hurling, Rowing and Rugby on the pitch outside the Clubhouse. But fair play as all were out strutting their stuff the following morning with the Juveniles.
Please see poster (on left) for special integration day for non-nationals in this episode which will also take place on this day. Everyone welcome!
Summer Camps Talk to you next time folks! Top: Alice Foley and some of the bright young stars of the club at the Active Prevention of Drugs Week in June. |
Back to the Front
Page
U16 championship
There was no more scoring and everyone was relieved to hear the final whistle. Two 10-minute periods of extra time followed and this is where the boys representing the villages of Ringsend, Sandymount, Irishtown, Donnybrook, Pearse St and Ballsbridge really came into their own, with goals from Bob Lacey and Kenneth Lines eventually settling the issue.
How teams are progressing
Condolences
The club is holding its Annual Family and Fun Day on Saturday August 8th. A host of events are pencilled in that include Slidy Castle, Clown, Gladiator Ring, Ice Cream Man, Bar-be-que, Music etc.