U13 season review!
The U13 team started this year’s playing season on the back of winning an U12 football championship in 2020 in their first year playing together. Hopes were high therefore that they could build on this victory and go and collect more silverware. They did not disappoint when on October 10th they beat Shamrocks in the final of the U13 hurling league.
As with other age groups, Rebel Óg had a ‘pre-season’ tournament before the league proper started. In these games, the side sent out a warning shot to other under sides in the East Division when they racked up some big scores; 5-15 and 7-14 were recorded in their opening two games.
In the league proper, however, the games would be tighter. Though they beat Brian Dillons convincingly, they were beaten by Shamrocks in the group stage by 4 points in an exciting high-scoring game played in Carraig na BhFear. Mayfield were beaten by 6 points in another crucial group game. This was the one time throughout the season that opposing backs were able to put the shackles on the Colmcilles forwards as this was one was won on a 2-08 to 1-05 scoreline.
The victory over Mayfield ensured qualification for the final as Shamrocks, whom we had lost to, had won all their games. With the top two teams qualifying for the final, Colmcilles had an immediate chance for revenge. Aghada was chosen as the rather strange neutral venue for the final; meaning both sides went on a long road trip. Nonetheless a large crowd gathered in the lower-harbour venue on Sunday, October 10 to witness another cracking game.
SUPER SUB
The team was dealt a blow before the game as the ever-dependable goalkeeper Brian Barry was unable to take his position due to injury. Due to Barry being such a commanding force in goal, there is no sub-keeper as such but Fachtna Kelleher put up his hand to deputise on this the most important match of the season. It takes plenty of courage to make your debut in goal in a final so credit to Kelleher for taking such responsibility on his shoulders. He certainly had the ability and confidence for the role and he gave a steady, assured performance in the final.
Early in the game though, most of the action took place on the other side of the field. Alex Flynn, who was captain on the day, was given loads of space to operate. Playing in a two-man full forward line and with the half forward line dropping deeper, Flynn had acres of space in which to cause damage to the Ringaskiddy/Shanbally outfit. He certainly made hay, after some early jitters he helped himself to a hat-trick of goals in the opening half hour.
At the other side of the field Shane Harrington did a superb job of nullifying the Shamrock’s centre forward; a lad that caused untold damage to Colmcille’s rearguard in their previous encounter a few weeks earlier. Jamie Murphy, Darragh McGuire and Alex Sheehan were also superb in defence as Colmcille’s held a commanding, unassailable half-time lead.
There was no let-up in the second half as Colmcilles continued to pile on the misery to their South-East opponents. Mike Murphy provided plenty of energy when he came on and Davyn Maher, who has been a key player for this side all season, embellished another fine personal performance with scores. In the end Colmcilles would run out convincing 8-08 and 3-09 winners
and thereby adding a hurling title to the football title won in 2020.
Though no football trophies were won this year there were still a lot of positive performances. Having won last year at U12 they stepped up to play U13 A grade football in East Cork. All of the matches that they played in were closely fought. Those they lost were by tight margins; which included a league semi-final loss to Kiltha Óg and narrow defeats to Youghal and Aghada in the group stages. There were impressive victories over Douglas and St Colmans (Cloyne/Russell Rovers) during the year.
Overall it was a successful season under the management of Mike Flynn, Conor Kelleher and Aidan Sheehan. A massive credit to the three lads for steering the team to success for the second year running.
The panel of players were Rónán Aherne, Billy Cambridge, Mark Reynolds, Shane Harrington, Chris O Keeffe, Cian Dunne, Alex Flynn, Jack Harte, Ciarán Sneddon, Ciarán Ryan, Tom O Sullivan, Mike Murphy, Cillian Burns, David O’Donovan, Fachtna Kelleher, Ciarán Tattan, Davyn
Maher, Jamie Murphy, Charlie Horgan, Dillon Manley, Alex Sheehan Darragh McGuire and Brian Barry.
ROWAN O’CONNELL REMEMBERED
Lastly, but most importantly, there is a far bigger context to the on-field wins and losses this year. In 2020, when the side won the football championship, Rowan O’Connell wore the number 10 jersey in their final football game.
Tragically, Rowan died before this season commenced. All losses on the field pale into insignificance when compared to such devastating loss,while no amount of trophies can replace a team-mate, a friend, a brother, a son. Sport continues though, and his teammates brought his memory with them in every game they played.
They retired the number 10 jersey in his honour for the year; choosing to display it on the sideline at every match. His presence was there for every game, willing his side to the victory. He was part of the team and the victory is dedicated in his honour. Rowan O’Connell. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.