By Shay Connolly

The Ladies’ Adult footballers finally, after the third time of asking, duly delivered the Dublin Football Junior Championship and brought the trophy home across Ringsend Bridge in a truly wonderful occasion on the 8th October.

This was the second replay of this final and in the two previous encounters, including extra time, Garristown and the girls fought a terrific battle. After everyone traipsing out to Portmarnock for the two previous matches, O’Toole Park was a welcome venue for the Clann’s girls.

As we all drove up by the canals the news bulletins told of the Irish Soccer International match with Cyprus that evening. But we were in our own final and this was bigger than anything that the radio was bellowing out.

We were going to represent the small villages of Ringsend and Sandymount and that was more important than anything else on this grey October evening. Alan Foley, father of Niamh showed his true spirit, after he forfeited his trip to Cyprus and a couple of hundred euro to boot to be at this match. Rumour has it that Liam Bolton and Mick Flood did likewise but I have to be convinced.

The air was filled with tension as Garristown supporters to the left and Clanna Gael Fontenoy supporters to the right clapped both teams on to the pitch. First fifteen minutes was a replica of the drawn matches as nothing seemed to be able to divide them, including the crossbars, which were almost felled in those opening exchanges.

However Clanns got a foothold midway through the first half and some excellent scores saw the girls in green, gold and blue lead by 6 points to 1 at half time. Sarah Seagrave was outstanding in goal and on numerous occasions kept the Garristown attack at bay with some wonderful saves.

The half back line of Orla Bolton, Louise Kane and Sinead Vivash were thwarting the half forward line of Garristown– their main threat in the previous matches. Kim Flood and Grace Dunne were beginning to take a foothold at midfield and the excellent solo runs of Rachael Byrne were giving the inside forward line plenty of ball to work with.

Alice Foley was by far the most vociferous supporter in the crowd. Standing exactly at the centre line of the pitch, she kept shouting “keep it down this end Clanns!” “And what end might that be, madam?” came the retort of the Garristown followers who included the legendary Barney Rock.

Her husband and father-in-law kicked every ball in the stands and when young Niamh hit the crossbar in the first half, both men lost 5 years from their lives.

In the first period of the second half Garristown threw a North County Dublin sink at us but we stood tall. Lynn Flood, used to getting kitchen sinks thrown at her (solicitor’s letter on the way), caught them all at left full back and spat them out again.

So, too, did the other full backs, Ita Gunne and Liz McDonald. Despite constant pressure, Garristown could only bring it back to 3 points. Then up stepped Lynn Dunne and kicked a point that any Tyrone forward would be proud of. And this seemed to settle the girls down again.

Antonette Connolly finished a lovely move with a point. Colleen Brierly was showing very well in the half forward line and Kathleen Murphy was a constant threat every time she got the ball, thus earning some very important frees for the Clann’s girls.

Niamh Foley then made a great forage along the end line and after her blocked shot came back out, Collen Briely was on hand to finish to the net. 0.8 on the Richter scale followed.

Alan Foley and his father collapsed and just got up in time to see the veteran Elaine Maguire (another Solicitor’s letter in the post) hit the sweetest of goals you’re ever likely to see from all of 25 yards out. Down went Alan and his father again and only got up when the final whistle blew.

The scenes were electric as everybody poured on the pitch. Tears, laughter, relief, joy and ecstasy were all there. Kim Flood, who was truly awesome throughout received the Player of the Match award.

Captain Louise Kane gave the victory speech and thanked everyone involved including Manager Pat Kane and selectors Tom Ryan and Paudge Kenny.

Louise paid tribute to the subs that came on in various different matches and played a vital role in this victory and campaign. They included Deirdre O’Connor, Siobhan Joyce, Rachael McLaughlin, Kathy Kenneally, Kathy Murray, Elaine Dent, Marie Brennan, Serena Hannon, Sarah Dunne, Shauna O’Neill, and Jennifer Cox.

Four years ago we had no ladies football in the club. Now this! A tremendous night was back in the Clubhouse where Chris Andrews helped fill the cup on one of the many times it was filled.

Meanwhile the Club is proud to announce Dublin Footballer Stephen O’Shaughnessy as the new Club Coach. Stephen, who played such a pivotal role in Dublin’s Leinster title victory this year including the RTE Man of the Match award in the Meath game, will be with us for the next three years at least.

Stephen started earlier this month and is familiarising himself with all the local schools first. He will then be visiting each club team and passing on all his undoubted skills to each aspiring youngster. I am sure he will tell them that they too can be like him some day. Stephen will be signing autographs for everyone, including me, over the not too distant future. We wish Stephen every success in his time here at the club.

One other great match to report on was the U11’s trip to Newcastle in County Dublin. After gaining promotion last year these lads have found this higher league no great obstacle and only dropped two points in their campaign to date. However, the trip to Newcastle was a daunting one and not many teams come away from this fortress with the points.

And so it seemed as the half-time whistle blew. The score read St Finnians 3-6 Clanns 0-1. A whopping 14 points in arrears. But Davis Trolan has been doing magical work with this team and despite the interval deficit David did not give up hope on his warriors. Slowly but surely, they started eating into the lead and magically won the day by two points in the end.

Some marvellous performances were recorded on the day by Paul Casey, Jacob Farrell, Ciaran Stafford, Gareth Trolan, Eddie Doyle, Rory Shiels and Fergus O’Connor. A league title is very much in sight and promotion again is a surety. Well done lads!

Saturday morning Gaelic Academy is attracting massive numbers at present with 110 registered and growing. A competition was held recently among all the youngsters. They were asked to put a name on the Academy and it produced some wonderful answers.

In the end the judges went for the wonderful name of CLANNÓG. The winning entry came from Mark Stafford aged 7. So parents if you wish to enrol your children in Clann Óg just pop down any Saturday morning at 11.00 or phone Jean Joyce at 086-1069543.

So as our season draws near the Inter Footballers are very much in the shake-up for league honours and more importantly promotion. Junior footballers are in the semi-final of the Murphy cup. Junior Hurlers are in the League Final and Championship semi-final.

Ladies’ Junior footballers having captured the championship are leading the league with one match remaining. Girls U14 are top of their league with just a few matches remaining. U16 hurlers reached the championship final and are in a play-off for runners up.

Minor hurlers, despite a poor season by their standards, remain tied for 2nd place. U11 footballers are very much in contention for league honours and all other teams are biting away at the cherry in the hope that their day will come. And undoubtedly it will!

Backchat:
After much legal wrangling it has been decided that Backchat can go to print while the matter is being deferred to Europe on some cases. However, names of club members are not to be mentioned again.

Colm Reynolds has been exiled to Norway once again. Colm spent some time there two years ago on an ‘Incredible Hulk’ temper management course. However the treatment has worn off of late and his teammates had no other option only to send him on his way. (via Coventry)

The Legend was at again. Not happy to leave the young fellows at it, he was drafted into a recent Junior football match. On the pitch only a few minutes, the legend hit the ground an unmerciful wallop with that head of his. He got up and all of a sudden started talking sense again. It’s been a long time coming, but surely worth the wait.

Congratulations to Ian Kavanagh on his recent marriage to Tanya.

Thanks to all those who helped out in the recent All-Ireland Forecast competition, especially Paddy Troy. Also the Minor squad who spent many hours on the checking.

The Balcony at the Club is now open and what a wonderful sight it is. If you turn to the right you can see Dun Laoire harbour. If you turn to the left you can view the historical sight of the old clubhouse. Look straight in front of you and you can see the old Irish Glass Bottle Company, itself a centre of employment for so many in this area. Look behind you and you see the wonderful stonemasonry of Jack ‘Michaelangelo’ Nicholson. Who would want to go to Venice when you have it all at Clanna Gael’s new Balcony. And you can smoke there also!

Speaking of sights. Can anyone tell me of a nicer view than there is at Clanna Gael’s Bar. From there you can see the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains, Sandyford Industrial Estate and a host of other magnificent landmarks such as Donnybrook Garda Station and the RTE mast. This mast is also a wonderful topic of conversation, like who you’d like to hang from it etc. And as the nights grow short and cold where else would you want to be (unless you’d like to be on top of that mast or, worse again– Sandyford Industrial Estate– or even worse again– Donnybrook Garda Station!) Astrologers, Stargazers and Norwegian explorers can all be seen in this wonderful Bar. (Plug-Plug-Plug)

Our sincere thanks to Martin Mannion, Manager of Winfield Motors (formerly Crawfords) on the Beach Road for his kind sponsorship recently.

Great to see Brendan O’Brien out and about again. Rusty was his usual self when a referee came under his scrutiny at a recent minor hurling match in Ringsend. We wouldn’t have it any other way, Brendan!

A speedy recovery to Anto Quinlan who broke his hand recently. Anto was so delirious about his own good performance in a recent match that he boxed the wall in St Brendan’s Cottages on his way home. Suffice to say that he never boxed any wall before this.

Noel McDonagh is the bookie’s clear favourite to capture this year’s ‘Moan of the Year’ Award. Seething with jealousy over last year’s winner Noel hasn’t stopped complaining since!

Whatever you do don’t forget Saturday 29 October at the clubhouse. Fancy Dress Halloween party with Magician and DJ. It’s the place to be!

Steve McGrath is still married! Incredible!

Our sincere condolences to the Carr and Allen Families on their recent sad bereavements.

Our sincere thanks to Keville Transport who kindly sponsored this year’s Tracey Staunton Memorial Competition. Both ladies’ teams reached the final but alas fell at the final hurdle. Tracey’s parents once again were on hand to present the trophies to the winning teams.

Don’t forget the Fancy Dress Party in aid of Temple Street Hospital on Halloween night in the Hall. Tickets from Shay Connolly.

If you wish to hire any of our facilities, don’t be shy. Just pick up the phone and call Shay at 087-9011716. You’re guaranteed an interesting conversation at least!

Top: Winning Ladies… Left to right, back row: Antoinette Connolly, Louise Kane, Kim Flood and Grace Dunne. Front row: Sinead Vivash, Sarah Seagrave and Lynn Flood.
Above: Some of the young people who took part in the Summer Training Camp at Clanna Gael.