JUNIOR A FOOTBALLERS JUST MISS OUT: The garrulousness of the Irish is attributed by many to our climate; our constantly changing weather, they say, leaves us with a convenient default option in conversation. As a topic it has also proven, as you may have noticed, a very useful point of departure in the Notes' account of many recent matches. This week is no different.
Friday was definitely a night when the fireside was a far more attractive place to be than a cold damp and windswept Emmet Park. The unkindness of the weather did not, however, deter our Junior Bs from travelling to play the locals in the league. Unfortunately the lads returned to Na Clocha Liatha empty handed having suffered a frustrating one point defeat.
Frustrating is really no word to describe our loss when one considers we were 11pts to 1-1 up 10 minutes into the 2nd half and that we were still 3 points to the fore with a couple of minutes left. Then the gods frowned on us. A misunderstanding between two of our backs saw the ball bounce off one of them into the hands of one of the Bré forwards in a one on one with Eoin English. An act of desperation by a back. A penalty. Equality. Another Éire Óg indiscretion in added time set Bré up for a 1 point win.
From the Éire Óg point of view there was a watershed in the game at about the 40 minute mark. Up to that point the team had played with style and verve. Then, inexplicably, energy seemed to seep from their play and they became vulnerable.
Paul Doherty gave some substance to his claim after the An Tóchar game with a sterling display at centre-back and Conor Monaghan proved a lively and effective corner-forward. James Smullen was particularly prominent in the 1st half while Daniel Woods worked hard in the centre. Mattie Maguire threw himself wholeheartedly into the fray.
GIRLS’ FOOTBALL Football for girls in the 9-14 age group has resumed and takes place on Thursdays at 6:30pm. Thursday night last the U-14 girls played their first league game. The weather was intent on doing them and their opponents, Fergal Óg, no favours. The discomfort of the low ambient temp was accentuated by a biting wind; one pitied the girls and admired the hardy few who braved it out on the sideline.
In the event the girls served up a pleasantly entertaining game which Éire Óg won with a little bit to spare. Eva Roche, at full-back, anchored a parsimonious defence and was ably assisted by Ashley Lawrence at corner back. Rachel Purcell was imperious in the centre of the field and crowned an excellent performance with a magnificent 3-03. Katie Lawless was her busy self in the forwards and contributed 1-02. Ellie O'Neill, in the tradition of her brother, had an excellent game in goals in the first half. As an act of philanthropy – there was a danger of her freezing to death – the management moved her to full-forward for the 2nd period. It turned out to be a worthwhile move, she scored a goal. Aoife McTeague (0-01) was a very effective partner to Rachel Purcell in the centre. Niamh Hanrahan (1-0) and Olivia Strong (0-01) were others to catch the eye.
The U-12 league starts in just under a weeks time.
CUMANN NA MBUNSCOIL The Cuman na mBunscoil, Allianz leagues were run off over two consecutive Wednesdays, 5th and 12th of March at two venues, Pearse Park, Arklow and Bray Emmet's grounds.
17 schools from the north of the county travelled to Bray; for competition purposes they were divided into four groups. St. Laurences were matched against Roundwood, St. Peter's from Bray, Kilmac and St. Brigid's, na Clocha Liatha.
On the opening Wednesday the St. Laurence's team comprised mainly 4th class boys- students up to and including 6th class were eligible – so it did remarkably well to finish in 2nd place. St. Laurence's had wins over Kilmac, St. Peter's and neighbours St. Brigid's but lost to Roundwood. Kilmac and St. Peter's proved to be doughty opponents and it was only late in the 2nd half that St. Laurences's succeeded in gaining the upper hand in these games.
The sibling pairs of Oisín and Thade Shanahan and Patrick and Frankie Byrne played prominent parts in each of the games, they were well supported by Michael Martin and Paul Delahunty. The team was considerably strengthened for the 2nd outing with the inclusion of Shaun Cranley, Stephen Corrie and Jack Holland. The partnership of Sean Cranley and Thade Shanahan ruled the roost at centre-field in all games to such an extent that the supply of ball to the opposing forwards was minimal.
Seán O'Neill was outstanding in goals and his kick-outs were delivered with great accuracy. The team's only defeat in the competition was that in the game against Roundwood.
Panel:Seán O'Neill, Patrick and Frankie Byrne, Louis Dillane, Ruairí Parker, Paul Delahunty, Thade and Oisín Shanahan, Seán and Darragh McCormack, Michael Martin, Fergal O'Sullivan, Alex Murphy, Jack Holland, Seán Cranley, Stephen Corrie, Jody Brogan, Glen Halligan
