We are well into our first season in the Dublin & District Schoolboys league (DDSL) and have just played our first match after the Christmas break in which we beat the league leaders Broadford rovers 3-0.
Two cracking goals from Craig Nangle and a third from Jordan Barnes capped off a terrific performance from the boys who controlled the match from start to finish on a windswept Ringsend Park. All bodes well for us as we are now unbeaten, lying second just one point behind the league leaders with a game in hand and into the quarter finals of our U15 league cup.
Yes, St Patrick’s CY have an under 15 schoolboy team and they also have an under 13 team. Just over two seasons ago we were approached by the committee of St Pat’s CY. We were then known as Bath United but as a result of many meetings became known as St Patrick’s CY.
This decision to join with Pats wasn’t taken lightly as we knew that when most schoolboy teams amalgamate with a senior club they tend to lose their identity. We did not want this to happen! We knew it would take quite some time to establish a schoolboy section in the club. Our vision was to develop St Patrick’s CY in the schoolboy area over the following years so when we came out of the negotiations we were delighted to call ourselves St Patrick’s CYFC.
We had just done the double, gaining promotion to the premier league in the SDFL U14, season 2007/ 2008 came and what a great season we had, finishing second in the league and won the very prestigious Blessington Cup beating a well-fancied St Francis side 1-0 in the Final.
In order for us to progress, we decided to join the DDSL. We also decided to form an U13 team. This was a huge undertaking for the club. On joining the DDSL we were placed in the under 15a1 and the under 13 team were placed into the U13b1. The under 13 are coming along fine. It is their first season together and it takes time and hard work to gel. If any under 13 boys wish to join, please come down to Ringsend Park on Tuesday at 6.30 or contact any member of CY’s committee.
Training is now every Tuesday and Thursday evening down in the schoolboy all-weather pitch in Ringsend Park. These are very lively and fun training sessions.
Being part of this great club, the support coming from the senior side is starting to flourish and the senior coaches, Dave Nolan, Anthony (Anto) Owens and Mark Benson lend their expertise to the boys. The managers of the boys’ teams are delighted with this, as these boys will some day play for the senior teams.
On setting up the schoolboy sections, we now realise how much hard work and money is needed in order to keep it running so a big thank you to our sponsors: Mason, Hayes & Curran Solicitors in Barrow Street, Waterbourne River Productions, Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre, Anthony Quann Legal Cost Accountant and Tom Kennedy of Tom Kennedy’s Lounge in Thomas Street.
A special thank you to all the local businesses who sponsored our very first and successful Race Night which was held in the Raytown Bar. To the management staff and patrons of the Raytown bar, a special thank you for your generosity in supporting us. Finally, thanks to the staff in the Spellman Centre for the use of the Spellman bus for the away matches
Finally, a big thank you to Jason Flood the manager and his assistant Peadar Owens who are doing a great job looking after the U15 and also to Paddy McGuinness who coached the team for the last 18 months who also drives the Spellman bus.
The lads really like training with them, more importantly they enjoy their football without being under pressure. On a personal note, I would like to say a special thank you to David Kemple, known locally as Smasher, for his exceptional commitment, positive attitude and adaptability in the running of St Pat’s CY. To all who help in the background thank you also
The parents of team members set up a committee and the club is now under new management with David Kemple Chairman/ Treasure, Peter Dowling Secretary, Paddy McGuinness Child Welfare Officer .
Jason Flood: Team Manager of the under 15s, assisted by Peadar Owens,
Alan Browne: Manager U13
Team coaches: Mark Benson, Anthony Owens and David Nolan.