The St. Nicholas U12s were in action on Saturday in the County Final against a strong St. Patricks team. The Wicklow Town outfit took a grip on the match in the first 30 minutes leading 1-4 to 0-2 at the break. In the second half however, the St. Nicholas team came back and began to eat into the defecit levelling 0-9 to 1-6 with a few minutes left. A major effort from the Donard/Glen & Dunlavin parish team saw them grab a magnificent goal through Darren O’Neill with only seconds left. The crowd from West Wicklow went wild, but the celebrations were short lived. The St. Patricks quick-thinking goalkeeper took a quick kick-out to their big number 9 who combined with his midfield partner to manufacture an equalising goal to leave both teams facing extra time, 1-9 to 2-6.
This St. Patricks team are all 12 years-old and they made their experience count over their young St. Nicholas opponents racing into a three point lead at half time in extra time. Again, the St. Nicholas team gave it their all and came back but their efforts were in vain as at the end of extra time St. Patricks emerged victorious, 2-11 to 1-11. Everyone agreed that this was one of the most exciting juvenile finals of the year and we are all very proud of all the St. Nicholas team particularly Darren O’Neill (1-0), Des Mann, Conor Kelly (0-1), Oisin Adler, Cloe Dwyer, Willy Byrne, Stephen Dowling, Oran Fielder and Gerald Healy who have represented the Donard/Glen club in the U12 grade.
This performance typified the effort put in by St. Nicholas in 2008. With the minors still at semi-final stage in the Minor A Shield competition, the St. Nicholas name has appeared in the later stages of most of the championships they have entered!!! As well as appearing in the U12 A Championship Final, St. Nicholas won the U14 A Shield and were defeated in the U14 A Championship final. The St. Nicholas U16s reached the semi-final of the B Championship topping their qualifying group with two big wins. Our minors had a magnificent year topping their qualifying group seeing off strong challenges from Ballinacor and Rathnew. They reached the final of the B Championship narrowly losing to neighbours St. Kevins and bowed out of the A Championship at quarter final stage.
It is heartening for both the Donard/Glen and Dunlavin GAA Clubs to see such success at juvenile level.
Well done to all and here’s to more success in 2009!
