In Croke Park on Thursday November 26th a commanding, confident and stylish performance by a polished and assured Star of the Sea Under-13 Gaelic Football team ensured that the famed wearers of the blue jersey with the white star emerged as comprehensive victors in the Church and General sponsored Miller Shield Final in a game against St. Damien’s from Walkinstown.

President of the GAA
Indeed it was a great moment for everyone associated with the school – pupils, past pupils, teachers, former teachers, parents, Clanna Gael Fontenoy GAA Club, the priests of Star of the Sea Parish and numerous well-wishers – when the Shield was presented to ‘The Star’s’ Captain, Eugene Byrne, by the President of the GAA Joe McDonagh and Cumann na mBunscoil Chairman Gerry O’Meara.

The singing, chanting and dancing of the school’s blue and white clad supporters – marshalled by school Principal Martin Coonan – soon spread to the pitch side as the team held aloft their prized Shield and medals.

Former pupil of the school, Sandymount man and Dublin star, Declan Darcy looked on admiringly. The smiles on their faces said it all.

The Bomber
Comprehensive as the victory may have been, it was hard won. To emerge unbeaten and victorious from a competition comprised of seventeen teams is no mean feat, and to take some notable scalps along the way makes it all the sweeter.

It is the day of the final, however, which will forever remain in the memory. ‘The Star’, having won the toss and having opted to play with the wind in the first half, found their defence called into action in the opening minutes, but early nerves were settled by four delicately curled and greatly welcomed points by full forward Vincent Byrne, who proved more than a handful for his opposite number right through the game. He reminded GAA President, Joe McDonagh, of the great ‘Bomber’ Liston of Kerry.

Big Performances
As the first half wore on, ‘The Star’ began to dominate. Conan Finn, living up to his pre-match billing in the Programme as ‘the rock at the heart of the defence’, took the ball on his chest, time and time again, and delivered it long with his mighty left foot to the eager forwards.

David Andrews began to find his feet and, relinquishing the space on the right flank of the attack, started to run at the St. Damien’s defence before helping himself to a beautiful point, to leave the score at the interval 0-5 to 0-0.

Strong Wind
Facing into the wind in the second half, ‘The Star’ anticipated being put under pressure but, to their credit, took the game to their opponents from the throw-in.

Another sweetly struck point by David Andrews and a cracking goal by the same player off the underside of the crossbar, ensured that, with five minutes to go, ‘The Star’s’ lead looked unassailable.
In between, Jor-el Kavanagh, who worked tirelessly throughout the game and whose speed caused problems in the St. Damien’s defence, rounded off a fine performance with a well struck left footed point. In the final minutes, the talented David Dempsey scored a point from a free for St. Damien’s.
All Stars

Goalkeeper Stephen Cleary never put a foot wrong during the game and his well-placed kicks-out and clearances were a feature of the game.

Michael Twomey, at corner back, gained the upper hand on his man from an early stage and his timely interceptions and relieving clearances were invaluable throughout, particularly in the opening stages. Mark Kelly at full back reached high and low, shadowed his man well and showed a quick turn of pace. Barry Hogan came up trumps every time, beating his man to every ball and clearing it well down the line.

The lively and elusive Michael Boland came of age, dominated his position and showed both skill and determination. Dermot Nicholson kept the shackles on his man, worked tirelessly throughout and cut off many dangerous attacks.

Midfield
Conor Meany made a huge contribution. He fielded well, carried the ball well and delivered it unerringly every time with his trusty left foot. Eugene Byrne was supreme: he dominated in the air, won most kicks-out, covered oceans of ground and led by example all the way.

Forwards
Darren McAuley used every ounce of energy in his body, won a lot of valuable possession and set up many attacks. Ryan O’Neill gave another top class performance, bringing those around him into the game and soloing hard into the St. Damien’s defence.

Sean Ludden toyed with his opponent, held up the ball well, delivered some beautiful crosses and gave the St. Damien’s defence a hard time.

Substitutions
James Kavanagh showed all his experience in the closing stages and was reliability personified. Gerard O’Neill got stuck in straight away; Stephen Cox proved very difficult to mark; Daire Coady got involved straight away and the young and talented Paul O’Connor relished his moments ‘on the field of dreams’.

The Star Team
Stephen Cleary; Michael Twomey; Mark Kelly; Barry Hogan; Michael Boland; Conan Finn; Dermot Nicholson; Eugene Byrne (Captain); Conor Meany; Darren McAuley; Ryan O’Neill; David Andrews; Sean Ludden; Vincent Byrne; Jor-el Kavanagh.

Subs: James Kavanagh; Stephen Cox; Daire Coady; Gerard O’Neill; Paul O’Connor; William Butler; Jack Hegarty; John McCabe; Philip O’Neill; Daniel Murphy; George Gannon; Neil Cagney; Managers: Jim Mac Sweeney, Aidan Sweeney, Michael Maughan.

Man of the Match: Eugene O'Byrne. Star of the Sea, Winners of the Miller Shield. Back row, left to right: Mr A. Sweeney, W. Butler, James Kavanagh, D. Murphy, M. Kelly, D.McAuley, D. Andrews, R. O’Neill, V. Byrne, B. Hogan, D. Nicholson, C. Meany, G. O’Neill, J. Hegarty, G. Hannigan (waterman), Mr.J.MacSweeney.

Front row, left to right: J. McCabe, P. O’Neill, S. Cox, S. Ludden, Jor-el Kavanagh, S. Cleary, E. Byrne (Captain), C. Finn (Vice-Captain), M. Boland, M. Twomey, D. Coady, G. Gannon, P. O’Connor, N. Cagney.