Eire Og victory win lays the foundations for bright future
WHAT a weekend for Éire Óg Greystones – Division 4 Under-14 All-Ireland Feile Peil na nÓg winners.
An enthusiastic, excited and nervous group of 31 boys set off at 9am on Friday last, bound for the Kilcummin GAA Club just outside Killarney (home club of former GAA President and current MEP, Sean Kelly).
A quick stop in Adare for food on the way down and then straight in to the action at 5.45pm on Friday in Kilcummin (just outside Killarney).
It would be impossible to give the space needed for full match reports on all six games, so suffice to say that drawing our first game and winning the subsequent five, as the opposition got stronger, tells its own story.
Our results were as follows: Group Games: Eire Og 2-03, North London 2-03; Eire Og 5-08, Beaufort (Kerry) 0-03; Eire Og 7-09, Kilcummin 0-03; Quarter-final: Éire Óg 4-09, Kenmare 2-03; Semi-final: Éire Óg 1-09, Donaghmoyne (Monaghan) 2-04.
Onwards then on Sunday afternoon to a 3pm final in the magnificent Rathmore GAA grounds against North London, once more. The fact that the Ireland v France game was on at the same time was of little interest, as the boys focussed in on their dream of being All-Ireland champions.
Having drawn our group game with North London on Friday evening, we knew this was going to be a really tough game, and it didn’t disappoint.
North London were a strong team with some very good players.
However, our players stood up magnificently to the task and took some great scores when the opportunity arose. Jack’s display of free taking was a sight to behold and was the subject of much discussion and admiration from the local spectators – as was said in the speeches, they love their free takers in Kerry.
However, it was a true team effort, great moves amongst the forwards, great goalkeeping and superb blocking and tackling that saw us come out on top at full time on a score line of 1-08 to 0-04.
Great scenes of celebration, joy and the emotion ensued on the pitch as everyone present began to take in what the boys had just achieved.
Captain of the team Eoin O’Neill gave a lovely speech when accepting the Division 4 cup, last won by Eire Og Greystones in 2007, a team which provided the backbone to our Leinster Intermediate winning team in 2012 and our current Senior football team. Eoin’s speech is available on the Éire Óg Greystones Facebook page (please ‘Like’ our page, if you haven’t already done so!).
Our squad for the weekend was: Sean O Neill, Cillian Keane, Neil Browne, Freddy Happonen, Joe Power, Thade Shanahan, Indi Kenny, Eoin O’Neill (captain), Conor Fulham, Toby Owens, Jack O’ Sullivan, Daniel Healy, Joseph Prendergast, Cian Hynes, Luke Dorgan, Fionn Brauner, Oisin Cavanagh, Charlie Leahy, Colm Shortt, Joshua Rush, Aaron Bailey, Patrick Byrne, Oisin Shanahan, Max Scully.
We are fortunate as a club that we have great numbers at this age group and it was fantastic that a number of our Under-13 squad also travelled and got a game in on Saturday morning in Kilcummin.
Thanks to Fionn Melia, Ben Hogan, Neil Burke, Colm Condon, Patrick O’Connell, Jack Dye and Sean McGraynor – we hope you had a great weekend.
We cannot thank and praise our host club, Kilcummin GAA Club enough. All host families were extremely hospitable and welcoming and the club itself pulled out all the stops to ensure events ran smoothly and successfully (the Chairman of the club took in seven of our players into his house!). Thank you Kilcummin!
Sincere thanks from the club must go to so many people who helped out in preparing for the Féile.
Too many people involved in the fundraising to mention, but a few people deserve special mention for making things happen: Caitriona Shanahan was a legendary in her preparation work before, during and after the weekend.
Thanks also to Maedhbh Melia, Mary Healy, Darina McFadden Prendergast and Sinead Brown for huge work they put in behind the scenes.
Also to local Kerry woman, Shivaun Shanahan (sister of Tadgh) who was on hand to wash the gear and have it ready for subsequent matches – it was great to have this local support and help.
Congratulations and thanks to the coaching team of Maurice Prendergast, Peter O’Neill, Tadgh Shanahan, with some assistance from Ian Smith.
It is fair to say that they left no stone unturned in their preparation of this team and of the weekend itself, both on and off the field.
It was evident to all watching the games that the players were extremely well coached, both in football and their discipline. Well done to all of you!
Finally, the Eire Og Greystones club congratulate each and every one of the 31 players who travelled for the weekend.
More importantly than the result (well, maybe not!), your behaviour and conduct throughout the weekend was exemplary and the parents from Kilcummin were constantly telling us this.
You were a credit to yourselves, your family, your town, your county and your club. Comhgairdeachas uile! Éire Óg abú,