Off to an early start – our U-8 hurlers in action
U-14 girls prove a point
It may have been the narrowest of victories, but the one point winning margin enjoyed by the U-14s away to Naomh Mearnog proved a particular point – that it pays to keep going right to the final whistle.
Naomh Mearnog had beaten Clanns well in May, but this time the girls were sharper and more determined from the start. They led by a goal and a point at half time, but were actually unlucky not to have built up a stronger lead through a few well-created goal chances and good midfield play from Ella and Ava as well as some superb passing moves from Cliodhna, Laoise and Niamh. Maria and Kate from the U-13s played really well, with the latter’s array of scores a treat to behold.
At the same time, down the other end Clanns were conceding goals despite some very brave defense from Claire and the full backs. In the final minute however, with the scores level, Clanns stopped a Naomh Mearnog attack and passed the ball the length of the pitch for Annemarie to score the winning point. Relief and delight all round and there’s plenty to look forward to in their next match at 18.45 on Friday the 6th at home to St Peregrines.
Clanna Gael Fontenoy 5-8 Naomh Mearnog 7-1
Intermediate footballers put down a marker
Our Intermediate footballers had a very good league win last Saturday evening against St Marks in Sean Moore Park in a game that was heavily influenced by a strong swirling wind. Trailing by six points at half time, they capitalised well on the effect of the wind during the second half to deliver an eleven point turnaround and run out victors by five points.
U13 Hurlers share top of table position
The U-13 hurlers started back into competition well before the end of August and did so by picking up where they left off before the summer break by winning their home fixture against Na Fianna. With quite a number of players still away on holidays, the U-13 squad itself was pretty depleted and could not have proceeded with the game had it not been for reinforcements from the U-12s and U-11s. Having previously lined out with the team, the U-12 players knew what to expect and they duly acquitted themselves well. However, more surprising was the very strong contributions made by the U-11 players who blended in very comfortably.
The Clanns boys controlled matters throughout most of the game, with the exception of a 10-minute spell in the second half when the visitors recorded a sequence of good scores. However, the home team steadied the ship and ran out winners with a comfortable enough four-point winning margin. They now share top spot in their Division 4 table.
Clanna Gael Fontenoy 5-3 Na Fianna 3-5
Their next encounter was away to a much fancied St Peregrines and this proved to be a sterner test. The first half turned out to be a very tight and low scoring affair with both teams jostling for control of the game and the hosts’ just about deserved their two-point half-time lead. Though there was no shortage of commitment and skill, scores were still hard to come by. In the end it was Peregrines who prevailed with two goals at crucial times. While disappointed at the loss, Clanns can take satisfaction from the fact that they still share the top of the table position with Crumlin with a number of very important games yet to be played.
St Peregrines 3-2 Clanna Gael Fontenoy 1-3
Team across two games: Kevin McGrath, Cian O’Regan, Conor Rimmer, Des Duggan, Ruairi Corrigan, Scott Collopy, Ciaran Hendrick, Paddy Whelan, Conor Pugh, Paddy McNamara (U-13s); Colm O’Briain, Karl Morgan, Conor Hennessy, Seamus McCann (U-12s); and Aidan Duffy, Cian Morgan, Josh Hogan, James Crowley, Tadhg O’Ceallaigh, Stephen Deering (U-11s).
Narrowest of wins in great game
The visiting U-13 St Peregrines footballers brought the best out of the Clanns team in this very competitive Division 5 league fixture in Sean Moore Park. Clanns opted to play with the wind in the first half during which time the teams traded point for point until the visitors ran up a few in quick succession to give them a two-point cushion at half time. Playing against the wind in the second half, our lads actually upped the tempo to really carry the game to their opponents.
Both teams played really attractive football and each player on the pitch gave it his all. But standout performances came from Donal Byrne’s showing a very safe pair of hands in the Clanns goal; from Evan Caulfied in midfield, including a fine individual goal following a solo run from way out; and from Kevin McGrath who ran up a very fine tally of five points from the full forward position. Clanns now sit on top of their league table.
Team: Donal Byrne, Evan Downey, Cian O’Regan, Caelan Kelleher, Andrew Smith, Evan Caulfield, Rory O’Kennedy, Harry Murliss, Des Duggan, Rohan van den Akken, Paddy Whelan, Joe Thornton, Ciaran Hendrick, Kevin McGrath, Scott Collopy and Mark Hernan.
Clanna Gael Fontenoy 1-9 St Peregrines 2-5