U-10 Boys hurlers hit the road
The U-10s started the new season with a great trip by 22 of them to Carlow for the annual Leinster U-10 hurling blitz at Carlow Town hurling club. In all 32 teams participated including our boys who were split into two evenly matched teams.
They played Naas , Skerries Harps, Ballinamere, Durrow, Camross and Kilmacow (both Co Kilkenny). All in all they did well, winning around half their games. The hurling was of a really good standard and a few outstanding performances from several of the lads gives a lot of hope for the season ahead. Of course the bus trip itself and the food at the end were among the highlights!
The Clanns squad who participated in the Leinster U-10 hurling blitz in Carlow
Then, on the day that most other hurling supporters were focused on the All-Ireland Hurling Final in Croke Park, a group of just 10 from the squad headed up North to take on the best that Armagh and the surrounding counties had to present in the Clann na Gael Lurgan’s annual U-10 blitz.
Featuring 22 teams in all (including Clanns and Ballyboden from Dublin), St Josephs of Co Louth, Clann Eireann from Lurgan, Co Armagh and Enniskillen Gaels were our group opponents. And while our boys left nothing on the pitch, a summer playing football stood well to their northern opponents. Clanns narrowly lost to St. Josephs and lost well to Enniskillen before they were unlucky to record a draw with Clann Eireann.
They then played in the quarter final against Wolf Tones Derrymacash of Co Armagh, unfortunately losing out in the second half. Every one of the players displayed great heart and attitude, gave it their best and had a great experience on the day: Lochlan , JP , Luke, Daniel , Liam , James , Jonathan , Hugh , Killian and Hugh . well done to Clann na Gael in Lurgan for hosting a terrific event.
U-16s Boys secure play-off spot
Well done to the U-16 footballers for securing their place in the top four play-offs with a win over St. Sylvesters last Saturday in Sean Moore Park – this despite missing a number of players and with little training since the summer break and . The most likely semi-final opposition is St Maurs (current 3rd place).
Clanns played the first half with the aid of a strong wind, quickly gaining the lead with a well-taken goal from Clayton M which was quickly followed by two goals from Dean T. The visitors replied with a breakaway goal 15 minutes into the first half and followed up with two points, only for our lads to drive out to half time with a further goal and four points from Gary and Ross. The second half saw our defence come under a lot of pressure with Brandon, David and Mark putting in tackle after tackle; and with no bench to draw on and a few Clanns players carrying injuries it didn’t look good. But while Sylvesters scored a goal and three points, our lads found their second wind to finish strongly and rack up a further goal and three points – Gary, Ross and Conor H – to win by four points.
This game clearly illustrated the team’s fighting spirit, epitomised by a tackle by Theo in the dying minutes with body on the line to prevent a certain goal. A special thanks is due to Tomo for taking on goalkeeping duties with both of our keepers (Dean G and Josh) out with injuries.
Clanna Gael Fontenoy 5-9 St Sylvesters 3-11
U-13 girls make good progress
The U-13s had their second game of the championship, this time against newly-promoted St. Brigids. The girls have had mixed fortunes against this club in the past, but while the first half was pretty close, the second half went all Clanns’ way. A great performances across the team ensured that the visitors scored just once in the second half. Their next outing is away to Erins Isle. As usual, training is on Fridays at 7.30pm.
Clanna Gael Fontenoy 2-10 St Brigids 2-1
Close encounters for our U-9s
Clanns travelled to Good Counsel on a lovely Saturday morning. On one team we had Padraig (Capt.) Emmett, Finn, Jonathan, Senan H, Cathal, Hugh, Daire, Adam and Ethan, who, in the first game, limited their hosts’ scoring chances with all players closing down the ball and fighting for possession. Jonathan and Hugh were strong in defence and Finn made some good saves. Ethan also had a good stint in goal and delivered accurate kick outs. The lads won 12-3 with two points apiece from Emmett and Adam.
The second game proved tougher. The opposition were taller and skilled. By half time it was two goals each. Senan H, Adam and Emmett won a lot of possession and, along with Cathal, narrowly missed some points. Daire was crucial in the centre and scored a second-half goal to keep us in the game. Despite the committed defending of Padraig, Hugh and Ethan, our hosts were awarded a dubious point shortly from the end; and although Adam got one point back, it finished 7-6 to Good Counsel.
Our other team of Senan T. (Capt.), Francis, Eoin, Thomas, Matthew, Dylan, Des, Aidan and Cillian were unlucky to lose both their games against an energetic opposition. They started the first game slowly, conceding two early goals and two early points before midfield pressure by Matthew and Dylan provided the assists for Aiden to score two points. The boys were sharper in the drawn second half which was characterised by good forward pressure from Senan T and Des, assisted by long shots from behind. The final score was 5 to 3. The second game was closer with each team dominating at different periods of the game. The first half yielded a point each, with good defending from Eoin and Cillian. We were somewhat overwhelmed at the beginning of the second half with Good Counsel rapidly scoring two points and two goals. Two well-taken long-range goals from Francis, and another from Tomás, provided some consolation to a very tight losing scoreline of 5 to 6.
Clean sweep for U-10 girls
For our first match back after the summer break we had a great turnout of 24 girls in pretty poor conditions. Cuala provided a good test and it took a while for the girls to get into their stride. However, as the games played out, they got stronger and started to pick off some great scores; these came from a wide selection of players which was very pleasing for the coaches. In the end Clanns won all four games, giving them considerable confidence as they march on to their next encounter. Again a big thank you to all the parents who help out on the day and to the girls who are a source of huge pride to all for the way they play.
Little joy for U-10 footballers
The rivalry between our U-10 boys and Templeogue Synge Street continued last weekend, but unfortunately this time the visitors had it all their way. Both Clanns teams were well beaten in what turned out to be fairly aggressive and bad-tempered games (and that was only the coaches!). In contrast to the skill and commitment on display by all teams that played in Lurgan the following day (see report on p.1), this was probably the game more deserving of the title ‘puke football’! There’s still a lot to do to get back into form after the summer break; and, while the strong turnout for both training and matches is encouraging, daily practice at home or at school is what will make the difference. Squad training continues every Friday at 6.30pm.
U-13s Boys brought down to earth
In a game that could be described as ‘a perfect storm’, our U-13 footballers hit a particularly bad patch last weekend against a Round Towers outfit that was buzzing. Travelling to Clondalkin as league leaders with a series of good wins under their belt, Clanns had good reason to feel confident about their chances of matching the best their hosts could offer. But it was not to be, with our lads looking slow and lethargic against a Round Towers team bristling with energy and ideas. In fairness to the Clanns boys they kept battling to the bitter end without making much impact on the scoreline. The one consolation is that, thanks to much better performances up to this point, they remain top of their league table and still have everything to play for.
Round Towers 5-17 Clanna Gael Fontenoy 1-8
Camogie team
Well done to the camogie team in their recent championship success against C.B.C with a scoreline of
4-5 to 1-6
Congrats to the U-14 girls football team in its successive championship wins over St Peregrines (8-7 to 2-4) and Scoil Ui Chonaill (3-11 to 3-8).