By Shay Connolly
By Shay Connolly |
Kim Flood and Rachael Byrne in All-Ireland Final As we face into the autumn and winter months, the playing season is coming to an end for some teams but for others it is reaching the critical stages. Last time out, the Camogie team were in the Junior A league final. They had already faced their opponents, Lucan Sarsfields earlier in the season and came a cropper for the first time in that match in Ringsend.
Clans were one point behind Lucan going into this match and needed the win to secure the title. Having been beaten at home earlier in the season by Lucan, the Clan ladies were determined that they would not come away on the losing side again! The match was played at a frantic pace. The first half was nip and tuck throughout. Clans took the lead through a fine point from play from Elaine McDonnell, after excellent defensive work by Margaret Mahon and Siobhan Joyce. A second point was secured from a placed ball and the stick of Jenny Hevey, following good work by Claire Wilkins and Ann Marie Roche. Lucan notched a point from play in response. Clans went two clear when Lynn Dunne got on the scoresheet with a fine point from play, created by Anne Corscadden. Lucan bombarded the Clans defence early on, but tenacious defensive play from Lisa Murray and Sharon Geraghty ensured that Lucan did not score an early goal. Jenny Hevey added a further point from play to put Clans four points to one in front. Lucan then scored two unanswered points– one from a placed ball and one from play. Clans narrowly missed goal opportunities when they hit the bar on two occasions! Unlucky Stunner! The final score of the first half came from Jenny Hevey pointing a free following great work by the forward line. This left the score at half time– Clanna Gael 0-5 v Lucan Sarsfields 0-3. The second half was a nervous affair, with both sides giving everything in an attempt to break the deadlock and score that elusive goal. The goals did come, and thankfully when they did, it was Clanna Gael that secured them. Two goals in the first ten minutes of the second half helped Clans on their way to victory; the first goal was created following a fine clearance from Rebecca Collins. The ball was collected by Ann Corscadden and sent high towards the goal mouth. Lynn Dunne connected with the ball in mid-air and sent it flashing past the Lucan keeper into the back of the net. The second goal, again, was built from the back. Lucan then piled on the pressure and scored 1-1 without reply to take the score to 2-5 vs 1-5 in favour of Clans. The closing minutes were very tense, with Lucan coming forward in droves. Super defensive work from an ‘out on their feet’ back line ensured that Lucan were kept at bay and no easy scores were conceded. Gill Earley in goal proved her worth with some fine saves and catches in the dying minutes of the game. The final point of the match was a much-needed and well taken point from play from Anne Marie Roche. The final whistle was sounded, much to the joy and relief of the Clanna Gael team and supporters. The champers came out and the celebrations began… and continued long into the weekend! They are now going for the double as they have now reached the Championship final also after beating Naomh Caoimhin in the Semi Final. Ladies Footballers faced the Guards in the semi final of their championship last month. After a poor opening half which saw them trail by 9 points at half-time it looked curtains for the girls at that stage. But, in fairness, the lassies battled back and put their mighty opponents to the sword for the entire second half. Alas, they came up short by a point at the final whistle. They are still very much in contention for the league title and the Senior League is within their grasp. But the big talking point from this team is the inclusion of two of the girls, Kim Flood and Rachel Byrne on the Dublin senior football squad all year. This culminates in the All-Ireland Senior football final on Sunday 27th September between Dublin and Cork. It will be a great day for the club and the local area when the two girls walk out on to the hallowed turf of Croke Park at 3.00 that day. The very best of luck, girls, and the Club are proud of your achievements to date. U 14 girls entered all the competitions available during the summer and it has brought them all on in leaps and bounds. The future now looks a lot brighter for them. The Inter football team are going great guns altogether. Seven wins on the trot has put them right up there in the play-offs position. They face a crucial tie away to Clontarf at time of writing. How great it would be that if thirty years on since this writer suffered the ignominy of playing in the last senior match for Clanna Gael that relegated us to Intermediate level that if the present boys could take us back up to Senior again.
Plenty of locals came along with their little bambinos and enjoyed the brilliant sunshine and activities, which included face painting, trampolines, bouncy castles etc. An adult seven-a-side competition was the highlight of the playing activities. The Legend made a guest appearance in all four games and shocked many with his interview afterwards. He said “I am now relinquishing the title of Legend. The amount of physical punishment that I, as a 50 year old plus had to take in these events was incredible. Even more incredible were the cheers from the sideline every time I took another dirty blow. “Obviously the title of the Legend is getting up some people’s noses at this stage and it is time to relinquish it. I was disappointed at some of the cheap shots that were thrown at me but look, I’m still standing and I’m made of better stuff than the guys who threw them. I will still be a Legend in my own eyes and mind and that’s all that matters,” he added with a tear dropping on to his brave heart. Finally, he passed on the throne to present Chairman Eugene Davey for 2010. Regarding the day itself, a great amount of credit is due to Jacqui McDonnell, whose organising skills on the day were outstanding. Those skills will be in action again as the Christmas bash is upon us once again. This year’s event will be held in D4’s Berkeley Court on December 5th. So Jacqui will soon be on the prowl again looking for entrance fees and the usual shenanigans of players locking themselves in the toilets to avoid the collector general that is Jacqui. But all joking aside, getting money out of some of our players is like getting a loan from the bank nowadays. Glad to tell everyone that the Hall is at present under repair. What you will have at the finish will be a beautiful, warm and cosy place that will serve all the community. Senior Hurlers have some crucial matches in the run-in to Christmas and need to be very focussed indeed. U 12 hurlers went to Parnell Park earlier this month and came home with the Camaint Trophy. Well done to Simon Beirne and his crew. U 16 hurlers are in the quarter finals of the Championship and have picked up some new players of late. Discipline boys– discipline!
Check out our website at www.clannagaelfontenoy.ie News just in– Camogie team beaten by a point in Junior Championship Final. Oh the agony and the ecstasy of it all. Top: The Tipperary Hurling Team in training at Clanna Gael. |
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Now they had to face Lucan again without the comfort of the green, green grass of home. Sharon Geraghty reports:
The Club day on August 6th was simply a fantastic day for all. From early on it was a hive of activity with all the juveniles taking part in fun and games.
Juvenile registration opened up two weeks ago and remains open at present. Some fantastic facilities are on offer for your child and at €70 per child and a beautiful jersey thrown in, this represents phenomenal value. Phone club coach Johnny Sadlier at 085 7343066 and he will give you all the details.