News Reports

The Dublin Juvenile Under 14 Championship and Shield Finals tool place in Naomh Mearnógs grounds today 15th Novmeber 2008. The weather was kind and a great atmosphere was generated by playing the three finals in each competition almost simultaneously. The Division 3 games were staged on the juvenile pitch, the Div 2s had the “All Weather” surface and Div 1 had the Adult pitch.First up was the UNDER 14 DIV 3 Shield Final

Naomh Mearnog V Robert Emmetts at 1.15pm This was a good game with Ladies Football newcomers making it through to a final in their first year. The girls from Walkinstown aquitted themselves with honour but things didnt go their way as the homesides experience and some brilliant goalkeeping put the trophy on the Mearnóg mantlepiece. Presenting the medals, sponsor Eamonn O Donnell of Bandwidth praised the girls from Robert Emmetts and urged them to continue with their football. He said that he was sure that they would be back again next year. Referee: Brian Moore [Craobh Chairán]

At 1.30 the UNDER 14 DIV 2 Championship Final got underway.

Neighbours Foxrock/Cabinteely and Kilmacud Crokes were in contention for the honours at this game. This was a hotly contested affair and brought lots of supporters from the southside. At the final whistle however, it was Div 2 Feile winners who claimed the silver medals and the Cup went to Foxrock Cabinteely on a final scoreline of 3-9 to 1-9. Eamonn O Donnell was on hands to make the presentation and paid tribute to the organisation of the days proceedings. Referee: Derek McKittrick [Fingallians]

The UNDER 14 DIV 1 Shield Final was the next game on the “big pitch”.

Cuala V St Brigids promised to be a closely contested affair and the supporters were in for a cracking game of football from these Féile rivals. The half time score of just 0-2 to 0-1 is the indicator of the standards of defending showm by both sides as no quater was given. Just into the second half, Cuala extended their slender lead by a goal which Brigids answers shortly after with one of their own. Then the scores were leveled by a Brigids point. It was all to play for. With about 7 minutes on the clock a long kick up the pitch was collected by Cuala who promptly turned and put it into the netting. Another run up the pitch saw a second delivery into the back of the net. And so the game finished 3-2 to Cuala and 1-2 to st Brigids. Eamonn O Donnell praised both sides saying that his first team in Ladies Football was at U14 and they had lost to Cuala. He thanked the mentors and parants from both sides for their commitment to their players. Referee: Aidan Fitzsimons [St Josephs OCB]
The UNDER 14 DIV 3 Championship Final had gotten underway meanwhile on the Juvenile Pitch.

This game featured Raheny and St Sylvesters. This game was well played by both sides but the edge went to the Malahide girls. Maybe it was the little extra experience gained from winning the Div 3 Feile and representing their club in the Leinster Feile in Kildare! But the Raheny girls didnt give up until Dave McCabe [Round Towers Clondalkin] blew the final whistle when the scoreboard stood at Raheny 2-2 to St Sylvesters 4-7. Adding anothere piece of silverware to add to their recently aquired Best Club award Championship Sponsor Eamonn ODonnell thanked the players on a wonderful spectacle of football from both sides.

Referee Sean Hayes [Raheny] threw the ball in at 2.45 for the UNDER 14 DIV 2 Shield Final

Fingallians took on Templeogue Synge Street in this contest. From the outset Fingallians were the stronger side and at the break were comfortably ahead. When this reporter joined the sideline just into the second half it has to be said that Templeogue gave their opponants a good run for their money and it was an even match. In truth, Templeogue have some very useful point takers as there were some lovely scores made from play. But the advantage of the half time score put the trophy in the Fingallians cabinet this year. The County Secretary was on hand to make the presentation. Before handing over the trophy and medals he thanked Naomh Mearnóg and the event organisers for putting together the programme for the enjoyment of all. Speaking to the players he encouraged them to continue with their game and expected to see them again in the future.

The last game of the day was the UNDER 14 DIV 1 Championship Final

Ballyboden St Endas V Ballinteer St Johns could be described as a local “derby”. The first half was very tight and finished with a two point difference in Bodens favour. But the Boden engine was switched on for the second half as point after point and goal after goal went on the scoreboard in their favour. Referee, Niamh Barrett [Kilmacud Crokes] was in danger of running out of ink when she called time out on the second half. Presenting the Cup, County Secretary first thanked Eamonn O Donnell and Bandwidth for sponsoring the Dublin Juvenile games. He also thanked Niamh and all the Referees for their work today. The Ballyboden captain, accepting the trophy thanked her mentors, parents and team mates for a great year. She called three cheers for Ballinteer. Replying, the Ballinteer captain thanked the County Board for arranging the event and thanked also her team managers and parents. The game concluded with a round of applause for all concerned.

It was a long day with six full games of football. Tá buíochas a ghabháil le:Eamonn O Donnell and Bandwidth, sponsors
Naomh Mearnóg for the use of their premises and for arranging refreshmentsWillie Fallon, U14 Fixtures Co-ordinator for arranging the schedule and planning the event
The Referees and those who helped with officiating as umpires, linespersons, etc.The Mentors, Parents and Supporters
Finally, the Players for a great days entertainment.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.