Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.

Raised on songs and stories...

2016-06-03T00:27:00.000-07:00

Atmosphere building on Hill 16, Croke Park.

Tribal passion is a common theme among many sports teams, none more so than Dublin GAA. Fans flock in their thousands to a particular brand: the Hill 16 brand. The iconic Hill 16 stand in Croke Park is synonymous with Dublin GAA fans. The terraced stand awash with sky blue jerseys is a permanent staple of GAA matches throughout both the league and championship campaign. There is a sense of pride for a Dublin fan standing on Hill 16.

Hill 16 certainly adds to the atmosphere in Croke Park and this is something many Dublin fans want to be included in. The electric atmosphere and jovial spirits, which culminate in section B4 behind the goal, creates a mindset where fans yearn to be part of the 13,200 Dubs on Hill 16 in order to further increase their team’s chances of victory.

The impact of the 16th man is often referred by players and officials in the GAA. The roar of a crowd can be the motivating factor in Brian Fenton fielding that last kick-out or Johnny Small blocking down that last scoring opportunity. Sports arenas are noted for their decibel level and Croke Park is no different. Studies have found that the decibel level of a seated crowd at a match averages at 110 while a terraced crowd reaches 120. The size and grouping of the supporters is also a factor. Subsequently, this is an extremely influential factor for the Dublin team as Hill 16 is the only terraced area in Croke Park and it is also the biggest collection of one team’s supporters.

Dublin goalkeeper, Stephen Cluxton, kicks Dublin to an historic All Ireland victory.

Hill 16 creates a bond between fans and players. Consequently, there is an enriched fandom towards the players. In a three year study from 2010 to 2013, it was proved that Dublin are more clinical when shooting towards Hill 16 than towards the opposite end of the pitch at the canal end of Croke Park.

Rob Carroll of thevideoanalyst.com notes that: “The average free taking success rate across all teams in the football Championship is 65%. In Croke Park, Dublin have averaged a success rate of 66.6% of frees kicked into the Canal End whilst all of their opponents have managed 65%. However, when Dublin kick into the tranquil Hill 16 their average rises to 75.4% and their opponents’ drop to 59.3%. This provides a huge advantage to Dublin as it represents an increase of 10% in accuracy when kicking into the Hill whilst their opponents accuracy drops 5%.”

Fans want to be part of the action. Standing on the Hill ensures you are part of the team. There is statistical proof that being a fan on Hill 16, cheering on Dublin, improves their record on the pitch. There is nothing more empowering than knowing you’re actively helping your idols on the pitch. Sport inspires young fans. Sport touches the depths of our emotions. Sport engages our minds. The GAA embodies all of these characteristics.

Indeed it might be difficult to explain why a fan loves a particular sport when caught up in the emotion and bias of love towards a particular team. However, overall there are clear and concise reasons why a Dub can become so enriched with Dublin GAA. You may be battling many problems socially, but for that 70 minutes when you are a fan watching your team play, they ebb from you like a tributary river into a calm lake. The highs and lows of unpredictable entertainment ensures sports fans are hooked in a world of fandom for life, something the Dubs know all too well.

S.DAWSON 03/06/2016

Shelbourne and the Red Scare

2016-03-03T03:19:00.000-08:00

Friday night lights returns to Tolka Park tomorrow as the League of Ireland enlivens our weekends for another year. Scrub your Adidas soles clean, dust off your winter jacket, and find that matching scarf: The Reds are back. A freshly painted, from the outside at least, dilapidated stadium awaits the few hundred brave men and women who will venture down to see a young Shelbourne team play against an eager group from Cobh.

The social aspect of renewing friendships is high on the cards for many people tomorrow night; let's hope the jovial atmosphere off the pitch resonates with the players on the pitch. Although spirits may be high amongst the Shelbourne faithful, there is a lot of disdain towards the current Board of Management, and rightly so.

In the weeks leading up to the 2016 season, there has been a call to arms from Shelbourne Football Club. Volunteers wanted, apply immediately! However, these have only come to light after posts revealing the sheer disregard the current Board of Management have for the fans of this club appeared on the Reds Independent forum. This is just one example of the gap between the club’s management and fans. The club, frankly, needs a new dawn.

Now, this isn’t another appeal for everyone to come together and join the 1895 Trust in one big neo-socialist co-op. That should go without saying; Trust or bust and all that jazz. Although, unless there is a radical overhaul in the hierarchy of the club then extinction is imminent. The issue of Dalymount creeps over us all like an eerie shadow. For many, a move to Dalymount Park will only result in the slow death of our club. Although, without any viable alternative mooted then it appears, for now, blocking a move to Dalymount will only result in a quicker death for our club. Any recent update from the Board of Management? Of course not.

In recent history, Shelbourne has gone from a monopolistic owner in Ollie Byrne to a loyal bunch of club patrons who saved the club from collapse. It appeared, from the outside, they had nothing but loyal intentions for Shelbourne Football Club. However, it would seem their vested interests are with a select few – “good Shelbourne people” – as Joe Casey, Shelbourne chariman, once remarked at a fans forum. It is not progressive for the club to continue their social media escapades with people placed in these positions purely on personal relationships. This ‘jobs for the boys’ attitude reaffirms our archaic marketing presence. The club has even ignored offers of free advertising on Facebook. Free advertising.

Another prime example which has left many Reds in awe is the reselling of the club bar into private ownership. Nobody should make an effort to support the bar until it is back in the hands of the club. Personally, I’m appalled the club sold the bar to some charlatan, considering the loss they made from the previous private owner by swindling stock and late rent for many months. Lessons have to be learned.

One of the few enjoyable moments from last season was the positive atmosphere in the club bar. A plethora of Reds made the effort to get down early to have a pre-match pint in the club bar and to return after the match before heading on to pastures new. We knew all profits were going to the club. We were paying player’s wages while creating a welcoming atmosphere. It galvanised supporters amidst very bleak results on the pitch. If it was destined to return to private ownership, it should have been tendered to real fans of the club. If not in the hands of the club, at least it could have been in the hands of fans who would return profit to the club. Again, this forward thinking by the club is usually scoffed at.

The current board have assisted in building this club up from the bottom. We graced the heights of the Premier Division only to be quickly shot back down to the graveyard that is the First Division. There is no denying the BoM have put the club first on many occasions but some of the self-serving egotistical decisions, which have been all too present in recent years, are overshadowing the great work which was seen at the start of their tenure on the BoM.

From the wealth and glory of the UEFA Champions League in 2004 to the near extinction of a destitute, broken club in early 2007. Shelbourne football club has been in the spotlight of Irish sport for a variety of reasons over the past two decades. Our rise and fall coincided with one of the most dramatic men in Irish sporting history – Ollie Byrne.

Tragically, the fall was authored by the intense blinding love and attachment of Byrne to this football club. He was a man with the air of an old time salesman, who saw laws and regulations as a game to beat. He was also the man who made the strongest, and most misguided, attempt yet to push Shelbourne into unimaginable heights rubbing shoulders with European super clubs. However, there is no denying that Ollie Byrne was a still a criminal fool and an enemy of all that’s decent, honourable, and true in society.

Life at our Drumcondra club is much different since Ollie Byrne's tragic death in August 2007. There are no queues along the Richmond Road as last minute tickets are desperately sought. Trips to La Coruña, Split, and Lille have been replaced with journeys to Ballybofey, Cobh, and Cabinteely. Home matches being played in front of many thousands of fans have turned into games with average attendances lingering just over the 500 mark.

The club is on its knees and to make matters worse for the long suffering diehard fans, a proposed stadium move to Dalymount Park, home to our local rivals Bohemians, seems to be a done deal behind closed doors. The current BoM are almost recluse in their nature. Social media activity is at a minimum and their insular communication resonates worry amongst the Shelbourne faithful.

The future is dark, grim, and bleak – it’s not good. Shelbourne, much like many League of Ireland clubs, is an old institution, in more ways than its age. The language and customs of a traditional Dublin – one that feels somewhat forgotten in the past decade or two – lives on at the club. Well known witty characters and a distinct attitude in the stands makes The Reds a special kind of home for many of the fans.

However, this special home for many fans is blighted by the current BoM. Ollie Byrne may have come and gone and a new Shelbourne, fighting for survival, has been borne out of his actions. We need unity to save our prestigious football club, something which will not be possible until the current Board of Management loosen their reigns on the club.

I can’t help but think the addition of Glenisk and Pro-Stats, which first-team members had to acquire instead of commercial management at director level, are just a front. A mere ‘let’s keep the recovery going’ announcement from Shelbourne. The recovery has stopped; it’s a time for change, cooperation, and communication.

Without change, we will all be brought on another ride by misguided owners at Shelbourne Football Club. Have we learned nothing from the Ollie days? Transparency is of paramount importance if any improvement, no matter how small, will be seen in Tolka Park anytime soon.

S.DAWSON 03/03/2016

St Vincent's goals see off Portlaoise challenge

2014-11-09T11:36:00.002-08:00

Portlaoise 0-10 St Vincent’s 3-11

A second half blitzing secured victory for St Vincent’s against a beleaguered Portlaoise side in O’Moore Park earlier today. Two second half goals from Shane Carthy, and a first half Tomas Quinn three pointer, ensured Vincent’s would still be in contention for retaining their Leinster Senior Football Championship title after this quarter final encounter.

The current All Ireland Club champions started the brighter of the two teams with two points within the opening two minutes. Potent centre forward Diarmuid Connolly was involved in both scores. Connolly latched on to an early free from Tomas Quinn before a quick one two set the evergreen corner forward through on goal to score the first point of the match. The Vinnie’s number 11 then embarked on a mazy run through the Portlaoise rearguard before nonchalantly bisecting the posts.

Portlaoise could not handle the pace at which the Dublin outfit were controlling the game. With less than five minutes played, and Portlaoise still to register any meaningful attack, a Michael Savage kick out was fielded by Shane Carthy in the midfield area for Vincent’s. A lofted pass aimed at Ciaran Dorney was palmed down to Connolly who hand passed the ball across to Tomas Quinn. The Vincent’s full forward managed to get the ball across the goal line despite being completed annihilated in the process. Quinn gingerly rose to his feet safe in the knowledge his bravery had given his team an early 1-02 to 0-00 lead.

Portlaoise’s first score of the game came from the boot of Paul Cahillane after a mix up in the Vincent’s full back line. St Vincent’s Gavin Burke and Tomas Quinn then had goal chances of their own which they did not take. Subsequently, Portlaoise grew into the game. Cahillane got his second score of the game after he gained possession from a fortuitous bounce off a Brendan Egan block.

Both teams exchanged points as the first half drew to a close. Zach Touhy pointed before his effort was cancelled out by Shane Carthy. Portlaoise scored the last two points of the half as Craig Rogers and Brian McCormack’s respective points clawed Portlaoise to within a point of their opponents at the half time break, 0-06 to 1-04.

St Vincent's Shane Carthy (L) and Daithi Murphy (R) compete for possession with their Portlaoise opponents

In similar fashion to the opening of the first half, St Vincent’s stormed out of the blocks. After an uncharacteristic wide from Tomas Quinn, the Marino men were intent on building an unassailable lead. As the crowd were still taking their seats after the interval at O’Moore Park, Shane Carthy drilled the ball past Micky Nolan in the Portlaoise goal. St Vincent’s were passing the ball with ease and after some good build up play from Daithi Murphy and Gavin Burke, Carthy made full advantage of his teams dominance.

A pointed Tomas Quinn free followed before Carthy kicked the ball over the black spot with 37 minutes played. After a physical opening 30 minutes, Carthy was continuously improving in what was an outstanding performance from the lively half forward. Portlaoise began to deploy substitutes in the form of Adrian Kelly and Eoghan Feane in an attempt to quell the Vincent’s dominance. Ultimately, their efforts would be in vain.

After a pointed free from Craig Rogers on the 42^nd minute mark and another substitution from Portlaoise, this time Malachy McNulty entering the field for Eoghan Whelan, St Vincent’s hammered home the final nail in the Portlaoise coffin. A quickly taken free from Diarmuid Connolly caused panic in the Portlaoise full back line as ‘keeper Micky Nolan raced to punch clear the dangerously aimed free. Somehow, the ball dropped to Shane Carthy who stroked the ball into an empty net. Carthy will not score an easier goal in his career as the metropolitans had a 0-07 to 3-06 lead with 17 minutes still to play.

St Vincent's full forward Ciaran Dorney celebrates

St Vincent’s are often lauded for the flamboyance of their attack and goal scoring prowess. However, their resilient defending was just as easy on the eye on this occasion. They were intent on working the ball up the field through intricate passing moves. Just like the Dublin SFC final, their full back line was in charge for the entire 60 minutes. The experience of captain Ger Brennan rallied the troops but it was the performance of young Jarlath Curley marking the cumbersome Zach Touhy out of the game that really stood out in a backline which gave very little away.

As the match entered the final ten minutes, Portlaoise legs grew heavier. They could not keep up with the pace of their opponents with Vincent’s superior stamina shining through. With cynical challenging aplenty, Kieran Lillis was shown a black card for dragging Diarmuid Connolly down by the neck. Connolly took responsibility of the resulting free and confidently scored to maintain his team’s nine point lead.

The game petered out as a contest in the last five minutes of play. Both teams had made numerous changes and it was the industrious Cormac Diamond who made a case for a starting berth in the semi final after two deserving late scores. The scoreboard read 0-10 to 3-11 in favour of St Vincent’s after 60 minutes of intense football played at an unstoppable pace throughout.

Portlaoise, the most decorated club in the history of the Leinster SFC, bow out after a regimented St Vincent’s display. The match was befitting of the 12 Leinster titles held between both clubs. The Laois men will be disappointed that they didn’t get to stamp their authority on the match but St Vincent’s were as ruthless as they have been all year. Tommy Conroy has manufactured a team that will strike fear into any opponent. Next up for the Dublin side is a semi final encounter with Garrycastle of Westmeath in Parnell Park.

Portlaoise Panel and Scorers

M Nolan; D Seale; P Cotter; B Mulligan; E Whelan; C Healy; C Boyle; K Lillis; S Nerney; G Dillon; B McCormack (0-01); B Glynn; P Cahillane (0-06, 4 frees); Z Touhy (0-01); C Rogers (0-02, 1 free); Subs: R Downey; K Fitzpatrick; R Maher; G Brody; L McGovern; A Kelly; M McNulty; M Rogers; E Bland; E Feane; J Nerney.

Wides: 4

St Vincent's Panel and Scorers

M Savage; K Bonnie; J Curley; H Gill; B Egan; G Brennan; M Concarr; E Fennel; D Murphy; G Burke; D Connolly (0-02, 1 free); S Carthy (2-02); R Trainor (0-02); T Quinn (1-03 2 frees); C Dorney; Subs: D Jordan; M Moore; Cameron Diamond; S Byrne; M Loftus; Tiernan Diamond; Cormac Diamond (0-02); A Baxter; G Murphy; L Bree; B Quigley; M McNally; A Martin; K Malone; Turlough Diamond; L Sheehy; E Brady; C Brennan; J Brennan.

Wides: 8

S.DAWSON 09/10/14

St Vincent's retain Dublin SFC title by narrowest of margins

2014-10-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

St Vincent's 0-14 St Oliver Plunkett's Eoghan Ruadh 1-10

St Vincent’s were crowned champions of Dublin for the second year in a row after a hard fought victory against St Oliver Plunkett’s E.R. Vinnies grinded out the result despite a late fight back from Plunkett’s in front of a packed Parnell Park.

Throw in was delayed by ten minutes as droves of fans ushered through the turnstiles. Playing conditions were perfect on a balmy Monday evening for this star studded event. The pre match chatter circulated around both team’s potent attack and preference for a high tempo game.

It was Bernard Brogan who pointed Plunkett’s in to an early lead with two points, one from play and one from a free after a Ger Brennan foul. A Gareth Smith point with five minutes played ensured momentum was entirely with the pre match underdogs.

Vinnies could have been left chasing a six point deficit without registering a score themselves if it was not for an outstanding save from their ‘keeper Michael Savage. The Vinnies number one made up for a poor short kick out which saw Ger Brennan dispossessed and Bernard Brogan through on goal. Savage displayed great reflexes and strength to palm away Brogan’s powerful goal bound effort.

Half forward Gavin Burke thought he had scored Vincent’s first point of the game but play was called back for a ’45 missed by referee Dave Feeney. It took 11 minutes before Vinnies scored, thanks to a long range effort from marauding midfielder Eamon Fennell.

A further point from full forward Ciaran Dorney was preceded by a sweetly struck Diarmuid Connolly score from his left boot. Plunkett’s deployed two sweepers concentrating on a counter attacking style of football which has proved successful for them thus far.

With the scores level, four apiece, Gavin Burke should have scored a goal for Vincent’s after some intricate hand passing from Ciaran Dorney and Shane Carthy put Burke through on goal. However, the nimble forward had too much elevation on his shot which saw it drift over the black spot.

Scoring was sporadic in this closely contested duel. Plunkett’s Alan Brogan and Gareth Smith both shot wides before a late rally from St Vincent’s ensured they would hold a two point lead going into half time.

Firstly, Tomas Quinn pointed a free from his hands before Gavin Burke scored his second point of the match. It was a crucial time to score with the last play of the first half. After a slow start, St Vincent’s grew in to the game showcasing a regimented performance in every area of the pitch. Plunkett’s were by no means out of the contest, but Vinnies, as they have done all year, looked wholly determined to win at all costs.

After going in to the interval on a high, the opening five minutes of the second half saw Vinnies hit four consecutive wides. These were after a Bernard Brogan free had closed the gap to a solitary point.

Shane Carthy was magnificent throughout the second half and was fully deserving of his two points he scored in quick succession eight minutes in to the half. A Ciaran Dorney score increased St Vincent’s lead to four points, 0-10 to 0-06.

Plunkett’s replied with another Bernard Brogan score before substitute Cameron Diamond pointed a shot with 42 minutes played. Diamond made an immediate impact to the match after replacing Daithi Murphy minutes earlier.

St Vincent’s looked to be cruising to victory. They were leading, 0-14 to 0-8 with just ten minutes still to play. Diarmuid Connolly may have only registered one first half point, but he dissected the Plunkett’s backline on many occasions, assuming the role of playmaker.

It was from a Connolly pass that Ruairi Trainor scored his first of two points. Vinnies could have then wrapped up the match when Trainor was one on one with ‘keeper Alan O’Mara. However, the Cavan net-minder displayed good reactions with a close range save. Again Connolly was at the epicentre of play, beginning the move before passing to Shane Carthy who released Trainor through on goal.

Both teams were empting their benches as the match was reaching its conclusion. With three minutes left to play a long range pass was lofted in to the St Vincent’s square. It was hit and hope time for Plunkett’s as they desperately sought after a goal.

The evergreen Alan Brogan rose high in the crowd of players to fist the ball into Michael Savage’s net. Game on. This was followed by a pointed free from his brother Bernard. Possession was vital and ultimately lack of possession was what undone Plunkett’s. They failed to claim the resulting kick out after an Alan Brogan wide and time ran out for Pat McDonagh’s men.

The current All Ireland club champions showcased a determined display which resulted in Ger Brennan lifting the trophy for the Marino outfit. Plunkett’s battled back with a dogged display in the last five minutes although it wasn’t enough to topple Vincent's. They now look forward to a run in the Leinster Club Championship, hoping to replicate the success of last year. They face Portlaoise on November 9th, in Portlaoise.

St Vincent’s Panel and Scorers

M Savage; K Bonnie; J Curley; H Gill; B Egan; G Brennan; M Concarr; E Fennell (0-01); D Murphy; G Burke (0-03); D Connolly (0-01); S Carthy (0-02); R Trainor (0-02); C Dorney (0-03); T Quinn(0-01, 1 free); Subs: D Jordan; M Moore; Cameron Diamond (0-01); S Byrne; M Loftus; Tiernan Diamond; Cormac Diamond; A Baxter; G Murphy; L Bree; B Quigley; C Wilson; A Martin; K Malone; Turlough Diamond; L Sheehy; E Brady; C Brennan; J Brennan.

Wides: 9

St Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruadh Panel and Scorers

A O’Mara; R O’Connor; S Lyons; E Clarke; D Lally; J Brogan; D Kelly; C Dunleavy; P Brogan; D Brogan; C Walsh; A Brogan (1-01); N Walsh; B Brogan (0-05, 3 frees); G Smith (0-03, 1 ’45); Subs: N Murray; R McConnell; L Herron; D Matthews; G McCormack; P Lee (0-01); S Moran; R O’Brien; S O’Connor; P McNulty; J O’Donoghue; E O’Sullivan; L O’Doherty; P Bergin; L Eglington.

Wides: 8

S.DAWSON 28/10/14

Crokes prevail in Dublin SHC final despite dogged St Jude's display

2014-10-28T15:07:00.003-07:00

Kimacud Crokes 2-16 St Jude's 1-15

It took eighty minutes to separate Kilmacud Crokes and St Jude’s. The experience of Crokes ensured a four point victory after a frantic and, at times, chaotic game of hurling.

A last gasp Damien Kelly point broke St Jude’s hearts at the end of the sixty minutes to take this enthralling final in to extra time. St Jude’s were nearly home and dry before two late points from Sean McGrath and Kelly restored parity.

It was St Jude’s, making a debut appearance in a SHC final, who got off to the better start thanks to two early pointed frees from Fionn Riain O’Broin. The nimble corner forward would be his teams leading point scorer, not for the first time this year, in a fantastic display of hurling.

The Tymon North side maintained a lead for the opening quarter of the match before a Sean McGrath point from play brought the teams level, three points apiece. The Templeogue club were applying relentless pressure high up the field, dispossessing their opponents on numerous occasions before they could make a dent in their half.

Crokes took the lead for the first time in the match thanks to an easily pointed free from Sean McGrath with 16 minutes played. Moments later, full forward Oisin O’Rorke bisected the posts after receiving possession from a quickly taken McGrath free. Surprisingly, it was St Jude’s who were moving the ball around more efficiently than their much fancied opponents.

Mark Maguire could have created a goal scoring opportunity if it was not for some resilient Crokes’ defending in their full back line. Maguire gained possession after some intricate hand passing from Joe McManus and Ronan Joyce.

Jude’s had already been gifted a goal opportunity when Fionn Riain O’Broin nearly rounded off a complete performance with a three-pointer. However, Crokes’ ‘keeper Matt Collins pulled off an outstanding save to guide the sliotar away and eradicate any potential danger to his goal.

O’Riain Broin was St Jude’s most potent attacking option at times when Danny Sutcliffe had dropped deep. It was the number 13 who pointed his fourth free of the half on the stroke of half time to ensure the teams went into the interval level, five points apiece. This came three minutes after Sutcliffe had pointed a sweetly struck effort which drifted in from the left and over the black spot.

Second half

It took two minutes before the first point of the second half was scored. McGrath and O’Riain Broin were displaying a master-class in free taking. This time, it was the Crokes’ talisman who showcased his arsenal of talents by giving his team an early lead.

St Jude’s, and Dublin inter county star, Danny Sutcliffe began the second half just as he finished the second. Sutcliffe pointed a sensational point from the left of the pitch to bring the scores level for just the third time in 35 minutes.

The play opened up more in the second half with a plethora of sweetly struck scores seen from both teams. Crokes introduced a number of substitutions and it was Jude Sweeney, fresh off the bench, who scored a sublime effort to bring the score to 0-07 to 0-07.

With 48 minutes played St Jude’s had opened up a three point gap for the first time in the match. O’Riain Broin pointed yet another free to sit St Jude’s firmly in the driving seat. However, Crokes’ reply was immediate and effective. Midfielder Ross O’Carroll was released through on goal from a Damien Kelly pass and finished off his chance with aplomb with a crisp ground stroke low to the left of the St Jude’s ‘keeper Nolan.

The goal set up a grandstand finish. With less than ten minutes to play, the teams were level. It was St Jude’s who were gaining momentum with crucially timed points from Sutcliffe and O’Riain Broin. Both teams were emptying their benches in an attempt to maximise fitness to see them over the line.

After a Ross O’Carroll wide for Crokes, an O’Riain Broin free increased St Jude’s lead to two points as the end of the match rapidly approached. Crokes remained calm and composed. This was the experience of winning the 2012 Dublin SHC shining through. This was the ruthless will to win instilled by Ollie Baker since taking over the reigns in Stillorgan.

A late Sean McGrath free was followed by a Damien Kelly point. Cue scenes of adulation in Parnell Park for the partisan Crokes following. The match, confusingly, was destined for extra time. As Danny Harrington’s whistle reverberated around the Donnycarney venue, it wasn’t clear if extra time or a replay would be needed.

Extra time

All St Jude’s needed to do was to keep hold of possession in the dying seconds. A task easier said than done against a formidable opponent, Kilmacud Crokes. Ryan O’Dwyer and Cian MacGabhann got Crokes off to the perfect start in extra time.

St Jude’s had no answer to a rampant Crokes showing. O’Riain Broin uncharacteristically missed a free before Rob Hardy saw his long range effort drift wide of the post also. Just as the first half of extra time was coming to an end Sean McGrath was released through on goal by earlier goal scorer Ross O’Carroll.

McGrath capped off a productive performance by drilling the sliotar past the hapless Graham Nolan in the St Jude’s goal. The score line read 2-13 to 0-14 at the short break in extra time. Crokes opened up an unassailable lead which no doubt made tired St Jude’s legs even heavier.

Sean Fallon’s men battled gallantly in the second half of extra time. A Ronan Joyce point was preceded by a Paul Maguire goal from a set piece. As much as St Jude’s hassled and harried their opponents, Crokes had that little extra to ensure there would be further silverware in the Kilmacud Crokes clubhouse this year.

Points from Dillon Mulligan, Sean McGrath, and Ryan O’Dwyer brought the final score to 2-16 to 1-15. St Jude’s will be proud in their performance, knowing they gave it their all. However, it was experience, class, and fitness which saw Kilmacud Crokes crowned Dublin Senior Hurling Champions despite a dogged St Jude’s display.

Kilmacud Crokes Panel and Scorers:

M Collins; N Corcoran; Rory O’Carroll; J Clinton; C MacGabhann (0-01); J Doughan; B O’Carroll; D Mulligan (0-01); Ross O’Carroll (1-00); R O’Dwyer (0-02); D Kelly (0-01); S McGrath (1-06, 5 frees); C Conway (0-01); O O’Rorke (0-01); B O’Rorke (0-01); Subs: P Tighe; R Murphy; B Mulligan; J Sweeney (0-01); O’Loughlin; B Horan; J Burke (0-01); B O’Leidhin; M Geragthy; C Clinton; R Walsh; A De Paor; T Clarke; D O’Murchu; G McMorrow; C Lafferty; L McMullan; N O’Reardon.

Wides: 8

St Jude’s Panel and Scorers:

G Nolan; E McLoughlin; G McManus; C Mangan; R Hardy; A O’Beirne; R O’Brien; P Maguire (1-00); N Mangan; R Joyce (0-01); D Sutcliffe (0-03); M McGuire; F O’Riain Broin (0-10, 9 frees); T Devlin; J McManus (0-01); Subs: M Hartnett; P Aylward; P Garvey; V Walsh; J Ryan; B Moran; A McGovern; S Larkin; J Kennedy; N Cronin; C O’Riain Broin; L Kelly; M Hannon; P Larkin; O O’Donnell.

Wides: 9

S.DAWSON 28/10/14

Dublin Senior Football Final line up decided after two raucous semi final matches

2014-10-20T12:46:00.002-07:00

The Final of the 2014 Dublin Senior Football Championship will be contested by St Oliver Plunkett’s E.R. and St Vincent’s after their respective semi final victories in Parnell Park on Saturday evening.

The first semi final of the day saw Plunkett’s face stiff opposition from St Jude’s. The men from Dublin 7 recorded a comprehensive 1-11 to 0-04 victory over their south Dublin opponents. The opening quarter yielded just four points, two apiece, in a cagey start to this semi final encounter.

Antrim inter-county star Mark Sweeney was pulling the strings for Jude’s in the middle of the park, creating a scoring opportunity for corner back Rob Finnegan to kick his team into a first half lead. However, three unanswered scores from James Brogan, Niall Walsh, and Bernard Brogan ensured Plunkett’s led at the half time break, 0-05 to 0-03.

The second half was completely dominated by Plunkett’s. Their quick counter-attacking style of football implemented by Pat McDonagh and his management team was a joy to behold. St Jude’s had no answer to their impressive tactics and were second to every ball as Plunkett’s outclassed their opponents in all departments.

Bernard Brogan pointed the first score of the second half before Conor Walsh and Gareth Smith followed suit with points of their own. St Jude’s solitary point of the second half came from the boot of Ronan Joyce with 40 minutes played.

A late Bernard Brogan goal rounded off a complete performance from St Oliver Plunkett’s. St Jude’s ‘keeper John Brian Carthy had no chance to stop a clinical effort from Brogan as he stroked the ball low into the corner of the net. Soon after, Plunkett’s corner forward Gareth Smith pointed a ’45 to finish the match off in comprehensive fashion.

Confidence will be high in the Plunkett’s camp after their dominant ten point victory as they continue in search of a first Dublin Senior Football Championship in the club’s history.

If Plunkett’s are to succeed in claiming this years Dublin title, they will have to overcome a regimented St Vincent’s. The Marino outfit grinded out a hard fought seven point victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s.

Not for the first time in this years Championship, Diarmuid Connolly stole the headlines with yet another masterful goal, top scoring with 1-06 to his name. The match swung in the balance for the majority of the 60 minutes unlike the earlier one-sided encounter.

The first score of the match came within the opening 30 seconds when former Dublin Minor Sam Molony pointed a confident early shot over the black spot. Both teams exchanged frees in a physical opening quarter of the match. Ultimately though, it was Connolly who would be the difference between the two sides.

The Dublin inter-county star kicked four points, two off either foot, to galvanise a St Vincent’s team going in search of back to back county titles. However, Ballyboden battled diligently and led at the interval, 0-08 to 0-06. It was an entertaining first half with free flowing football aplenty in the Donnycarney venue.

The second half began with Diarmuid Connolly embarking on a marauding run through the ‘Boden defence. Connolly’s agile footwork and astounding strength ensured he found himself in range of Daire Walsh’s goal. Connolly unleashed an unstoppable left footed strike into the net to kick Vinnies into an early second half lead.

However, ‘Boden didn’t let their heads drop and their reply was efficient and immediate. Two points from first half substitute Daniel Davey were preceded by a pointed free from Andrew Kerin. As the match neared its conclusion, it was the current All Ireland Senior Football champions who pulled away with points from Tomas Quinn, Diarmuid Connolly, and Shane Carthy.

Although St Vincent’s were in the ascendancy, ‘Boden, yet again, clawed their way back into this end to end semi final thanks to a goal from Conal Keaney. With 52 minutes played the ‘Boden full forward latched on to a hopeful long range pass into the square from Aran Waters.

Keaney’s goal shortened Vinnies lead to just two points as ‘Boden hoped to set up a breathtaking finish. However, Tommy Conroy’s men upped their intensity and pointed five consecutive scores to ensure a hard fought seven point victory, 1-17 to 1-10 in favour of St Vincent’s.

Dublin Senior Football Championship Final

St Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruadh vs St Vincent’s.

Monday 27th October, throw in 19:45, Parnell Park.

S.DAWSON 20/10/14

St Jude’s and Kilmacud Crokes emerge victorious from Dublin SHC semi-finals

2014-10-14T14:10:00.001-07:00

St Jude’s and Kilmacud Crokes will contest this year’s Dublin Senior Hurling Championship final which will be played in two weeks time after their respective semi final victories over O’Tooles and Ballyboden St Enda’s in Parnell Park yesterday evening.

It was a historic victory for St Jude’s as the club reaches new levels contesting a Dublin SHC final for the first time in their 36 year history. A 56^th minute Danny Sutcliffe point secured victory for St Jude’s over O’Tooles in an exhilarating game of hurling played in the Donnycarney venue.

O’Tooles will be distraught after battling gallantly throughout the 60 minutes only to be undone by a terrific score from Dublin inter-county star Sutcliffe. It was his third score of the match in a semi final played at a frantic pace.

The Templeogue outfit raced into an early two point lead thanks to points from Mark Maguire and Ronan Joyce. O’Tooles reply was accurate and immediate. A point from Andy Morris was preceded by a pointed free from Conor Carton, who would showcase a master class in free taking throughout the match.

O’Tooles could have added a goal to their tally from the hurl of Peadar Carton if it was not for an outstanding save from St Jude’s ‘keeper Graham Nolan, who somehow directed the sliotar wide from Carton’s close range shot. O’Tooles had a two point lead going into the interval after an evenly balanced opening half.

St Jude’s enjoyed the majority of possession in the second half as both teams exchanged points with the physicality levels increasing as the match entered the last quarter. Jesse Kennedy, who was named at corner back, marshalled the St Jude’s half forward line well, along with playmaker Danny Sutcliffe. Add to this the assured accuracy of Fionn O Riain Broin from dead ball situations and this was an extremely difficult game plan to breakdown.

Conor Carton’s final point of the match in the 54^th minute levelled the scores for the seventh time. However, it was Sutcliffe who would steal the headlines for St Jude’s as his point proved to be the match winner. St Jude’s emerged victorious after a colossal battle with O’Tooles and they will now face Kilmacud Crokes in this year’s final after their comfortable seven point victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s.

Crokes’ corner forward Caolan Conway was instrumental in his team’s victory throughout this eagerly anticipated semi final. Conway pointed seven points to ensure his team would see off the resilient challenge of Ballyboden. At half time Crokes had a lead of four points, 0-09 to 0-05.

An early second half goal from the hurl of Sean McGrath put an end to a short spell of momentum ‘Boden had created. However, Ballyboden, inspired by a notable performance from Dublin inter-county star Conal Keaney, scored four consecutive points to reduce Crokes’ lead to a solitary point as the match neared its conclusion.

Crokes always looked the hungrier of the two sides. Similar to when these two teams met in the group stages of this years Championship, Crokes registered a resounding victory. Four late unanswered points from McGrath, Conway, and a brace from Damien Kelly meant the Stillorgan outfit would be able to look forward to a final appearance, hoping to emulate their 2012 Dublin SHC final victory.

After two scintillating semi final encounters, this years final is sure to be an enthralling encounter between two of Dublin’s finest hurling clubs in recent years.

S.DAWSON 14/10/14

Dublin Senior Football Championship quarter final round up

2014-10-06T10:11:00.002-07:00

The Dublin Senior Football Championship draw was announced yesterday with reigning champions St Vincent’s due to play Ballyboden St Enda’s and St Oliver Plunkett’s facing off against St Jude’s.

The big shock of the quarter final stage was the exit of early favourites Ballymun Kickhams at the hands of St Oliver Plunkett’s E.R. The Cabra outfit dispatched of their north Dublin rivals thanks to goals from cousins James and Alan Brogan. The first goal of the match was registered on the 15^th minute mark, just four minutes before Alan Brogan slid a shot past Sean Currie with the inside of his left boot.

Brothers in arms, Alan and Bernard Brogan of Plunkett's.

Paul Curran’s men were unable to deal with numerous fast paced attacks from Plunkett’s. Dublin underage star Niall Walsh was constantly dropping back from his corner forward position to give Plunkett’s midfielder Craig Dunleavy a consistent outlet, as the Cabra men bossed this physical encounter. Plunkett’s were fully deserving of their 2-12 to 0-10 victory.

A spectacular effort from Bernard Brogan summed up the match as everything seemed to sail over the black spot for Plunkett’s. Ballymun will be rueing missed opportunities on a day when they were outclassed across the pitch and outscored by tactically smart Plunkett’s team.

In the second match on Saturday afternoon in Parnell Park, current All Ireland Club champions St Vincent’s saw off Templeogue Synge Street with a comprehensive 11 point victory. A second half hat trick from Tomas Quinn ensured victory after a first half which was very much in the balance. The teams were level at the interval, 0-09 to 1-06, after a Ger Vickery goal had St Vincent’s on the back-foot.

St Vincent’s blitzed their opponents in the opening 14 minutes of the half scoring 3-06 without reply. Diarmuid Connolly was pulling the strings from centre forward with ease. The evergreen Tomas Quinn capitalised on every moment of possession given to the potent corner forward. St Vincent’s other corner forward Ruairi Trainor also scored four magnificently taken points to see Vinnies over the line.

Templeogue Synge Street managed to score an unanswered 2-02 in the last five minutes of the match thanks to a brace of points from Niall Scully and goals from Eoghan O’Gara and substitute Jack Swaine. However, it was too little too late for the south Dublin outfit. Vinnies quelled the aerial threat of Eoghan O’Gara by doubling up on him for most of the match thanks to a resilient full back line.

St Vincent’s quick movement of the ball was a joy to behold scoring from acute angles with ease. With Ballymun bowing out of this years Championship, it is hard to look past St Vincent’s regaining their Dublin Senior Football crown after a pulsating performance in Parnell Park, finishing 3-20 to 3-09.

St Vincent's Daithi Murphy under pressure form a resilient Templeogue defence.

On Sunday in O’Toole Park, St Jude’s got the better of St Brigid’s. Their performance was inspired by a mesmerising display from centre forward Kevin McManamon. The Dublin inter-county star scored 3-05, with all but one point coming from play, to see his team see off St Brigid’s on a score line of 3-11 to 0-12.

The result was beyond doubt at half time with St Jude’s leading 1-07 to 0-01, after a rampant opening 30 minutes. Tony McEntee’s men attempted to regain respectability after an embarrassing first half which saw St Brigid’s miss a plethora of kickable opportunities. In a near flawless performance, St Jude’s were on top in every area of the pitch. St Jude’s will meet a confident St Oliver Plunkett’s team in the pick of the two semi finals.

In the last quarter final match to be played, Ballyboden St Enda’s beat Lucan Sarsfields 0-14 to 0-09 in O’Toole Park. ‘Boden scored the first four points of the match without reply, led masterfully by former Dublin star Declan O’Mahony. It was another former Dublin player, Stephen O’Shaugnessy, who was linking up well in the Lucan forwards line.

O’Shaugnessy, whose favoured position is across the full back line, was creating problems for ‘Boden along with young Emmet O’Conghaile. However, Ballyboden showcased a regimented performance leading from start to finish. The Rathfarnham outfit were leading by seven points with just 20 minutes played in a match they thoroughly dominated.

Try as they might, Lucan could not manage to get a foothold in the match. Ballyboden were in firm control of this quarter final which was largely expected before throw in. ‘Boden will face a stiff test against St Vincent’s knowing they will be up against much tougher opponents in their next outing.

The date and throw in times of this years semi final matches are due to be announced later this week.

Full list of Dublin Senior Football Championship Semi Final matches:

St Vincent’s vs Ballyboden St Enda’s

St Jude’s vs St Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruadh

S.DAWSON 06/10/14

Dublin Senior Football Championship Last 16 Round-Up

2014-09-21T09:35:00.002-07:00

St Oliver Plunkett's Ross McConnell and St Anne's Ciaran Murphy compete in their Dublin SFC last 16 match

The Dublin Senior Football Championship is approaching the quarter final stages after some scintillating displays of football in the last 16 round. The quarter finals will comprise entirely of division one teams after any hopes of an underdog upset were eradicated this week.

On Wednesday night it seemed like a kicking contest between Dublin inter-county stars Cormac Costello and Kevin McManamon would be the narrative as St Jude’s played third division Whitehall Colmcille. However, neither displayed their usual high standard of football. Costello was just returning to fitness after battling a virus and McManamon was marked out of the game by a resilient Whitehall full back line. It was left to Kevin’s brother, Brendan, who is also familiar to the Dublin panel, to ensure St Jude’s would prevail victorious by ten points on a score line of 1-13 to 0-06. Brendan McManamon’s four frees and solitary point from open play accompanied D.A. Donnelly’s 1-05 which left Whitehall with no chance as St Jude’s progress to the quarter finals.

In the second match of the night in Parnell Park, Diarmuid Connolly stole the show as St Vincent’s steamrolled St Sylvester’s 3-12 to 1-09 with a comprehensive victory. The reigning All Ireland Club Champions looked comfortable throughout the 60 minutes against a resilient Malahide outfit. Although corner forwards Rory Trainor and Tomas Quinn scored 1-03 and 0-03, respectively, it was Diarmuid Connolly who would be on the minds of every spectator departing the Donnycarney venue after scoring that goal. Connolly set off on a 40 yard run dissecting the Syl’s defence with ease before a neat one-two with Mossy Quinn resulted in Connolly volleying the ball into the net of Dominic McDonnell. The return of centre back Ger Brennan from a lengthy absence was a welcome boost for the Marino side who are on course for retaining their Dublin Senior Football Championship title.

In O’Toole Park on Wednesday evening, Lucan Sarsfield’s beat a young Raheny side to progress to the next round. Former regular Dublin starters, Paul Casey and Stephen O’Shaughnessy marshalled Lucan’s backline flawlessly and it was Emmet O’Conghaile in the Lucan forward line who kicked his team to a deserved victory. It is clear to see why O’Conghaile has been omnipresent in Dublin underage panels, a player who no doubt will make his mark on the Dublin Senior side very soon. Raheny were without their lively attacking duo of Rutherson Real and Gavin Ivory and succumbed to a 2-12 to 0-12 defeat. Despite the brave efforts of young midfielders Brian Fenton and Paddy O’Higgins, Raheny never looked like challenging their opponents as Lucan prevailed with ease.

The one match on Friday evening in Parnell Park saw Templeogue Synge Street knock Paul Caffrey’s Na Fianna out of this years Championship. The final score was 2-09 to 0-14 as a spirited Na Fianna side were undone by Eoghan O’Gara who was unplayable at times in the T.S.S. full forward line. Similar to their senior hurling team who were undone by Lucan Sarsfields, Na Fianna are a very young team. Although no team has the time to be in transition, there is certain hope for the future. T.S.S. will find it extremely difficult as they meet current champions St Vincent’s in the next round.

On Saturday afternoon, it took St Brigid’s extra time to beat Skerries Harps in an entertaining clash in Chanel. Skerries were fully deserving of their one point lead as the 60^th minute approached. However, it was Philly Ryan who broke the county Dublin team’s hearts with a last gasp equaliser. Ryan’s point made up for two earlier kickable misses from under the black spot. Skerries never recovered from the last minute equaliser and eventually lost out 0-15 to 0-13 after extra time. It was a deflated performance from Skerries in extra time as they just didn’t have the legs to keep up with their opponents. Tony McEntee’s team needs a much improved performance if they are to overcome the challenge of St Jude’s in the quarter finals.

Ballyboden St Enda’s set up a quarter final tie with Lucan Sarsfields after they made light work of Ballinteer St John’s. Ballyboden beat their local rivals by 16 points on a score line of 3-15 to 0-08. Dublin inter-county hurler Conal Keaney relived his inter-county football form as he notched 1-02 with an impressive display. Ballinteer St John’s will look to regroup after a heavy defeat from a team a division above them.

In Parnell Park on Saturday, a lacklustre performance from St Oliver Plunkett’s was enough to see them past St Anne’s on a score line of 1-12 to 0-09. The Cabra outfit who have the Brogan dynasty – James, Darragh, Alan, and Bernard - at their disposal, shot nine first half wides in thirty minutes riddled with mistakes. Pat McDonagh’s team were lucky to come away with a six point victory which flattered Plunkett’s. Bernard Brogan was the scorer of the games only goal which galvanised his team to knock a proud St Anne’s out of this years Championship. There is plenty of room for improvement if St Oliver Plunkett’s are to pose any threat against bookies favourites Ballymun Kickhams in the quarter finals.

In the final match of the last 16 round, a depleted Fingal Ravens team lost out to Ballymun Kickhams by 21 points. Ballymun are awash with inter-county level stars. Dublin’s James McCarthy organised their defence diligently from the half back line and Dean Rock kicked 1-05 in an accurate display of football. Ballymun looked ruthless as they easily dispatched of their north county Dublin opponents. It is hard to look past Ballymun for this years Championship title, but there is many mouth watering clashes penned in for the quarter finals. Times and venues for all quarter final matches will be announced on Tuesday.

Full list of Dublin Senior Football Championship Quarter Final matches:

St Vincent’s vs Templeogue Synge Street

Ballymun Kickhams vs St Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruadh

Ballyboden St Enda’s vs Lucan Sarsfields

St Jude’s vs St Brigid’s

S.DAWSON 21/09/2014

Peter Synnott: From O'Tooles GAA club to the iconic Barbarians rugby team!

2014-04-24T07:13:00.004-07:00

Peter Synnott (L), playing for his current club, Esher.

There are many Irish international rugby stars that can attribute their sports upbringing to the GAA. Players such as Shane Horgan, Geordan Murphy, Gavin Duffy, Tommy Bowe, and Rob Kearney, to name but a few.

But few can claim to represent one of the most prestigious and iconic rugby teams – the Barbarians.

Being asked to represent the Barbarians is one of the highest accolades a rugby player can achieve in his career. This Wednesday, Clontarf Rugby Club will welcome the Barbarians to Castle Avenue in what is being dubbed 'The Real Battle of Clontarf'.

The match has been organised in line with celebrations which have been held over the weekend, marking the millennium anniversary of the historic- Battle of Clontarf.

The tradition of the Barbarians dates back to 1890, to the inception of Rugby Union. Their jersey is black and white hoops with black shorts. However, the socks of each player are unique, as they don the socks of their club team.

Dubliner, Peter Synnott, will be lining out for the Barbarians on Wednesday evening, and he will be wearing his clubs socks. However, they are not the socks of his current rugby club, Esher, based in London. They will be the green and white socks of O'Tooles GAA Club.

Synnott is a talented rugby player who has played at a high level for many years. However, he will never forget his ties to St Laurence O'Tooles, in north Dublin.

The Synnott family have a tradition with O'Tooles going back four generations. Peter's great-grandfather was actually on the field representing Dublin during the infamous Bloody Sunday match, in November 1920 in Croke Park.

Peter, the youngest of three brothers, played most of his Gaelic career two years above his age bracket. This helped mould him into the tough, physically strong athlete that he is today.

In 2003, Peter won the Dublin Feile. This resulted in a call up to the Dublin Under 14 hurling squad. It was clear from a young age that Peter would be a highly talented sportsman.

He played alongside current Dublin inter-county hurlers such as Oisin Gough, David Treacy, Paul Schutte, and Peter Kelly. His love of GAA was tribal. However, his love of rugby became more prevalent during his secondary level schooling in Belvedere College. Peter emerged as a tough-tackling, powerful ball-carrier, comfortable anywhere along the back-row.

However, what was unusual about the man who usually starred for Belvedere at number seven was that he was also their place kicker. The obscurity of a back-row forward assuming kicking duties stems from his early days playing Gaelic football.

He kicked the winning penalty from within his own half to help Belvedere win the schools cup against St Marys in 2008.

Peter now resides in London and plays semi-professional rugby for Esher. They play in the National League One, which is the third division of rugby in England. He has earned a successful living in construction management and still gets paid for playing semi-professional rugby.

Before departing for England, Peter starred for the Leinster schools team and Leinster Under 20 team. He played alongside established professional players such as current Irish Internationals Ian Madigan and Jack McGrath at Leinster, Tom Sexton at the Melbourne Rebels, and Eamonn Sheridan at London Irish during his spell in the Leinster underage setup. Peter also represented Leinster 'A' against Glasgow in 2008.

He appeared for Clontarf too in the 2009/10 season under the management of Bernard Jackman, now head coach of Grenoble in the Top 14.

When he first moved to London, the multi-talented sportsman played for London Irish 'A' before transferring to Esher. Peter even captained London Irish in the JP Morgan Sevens Competition in 2012. He still has great ambitions to return to the Championship with Esher and play in the second division of English rugby.

His kicking ability has never left him, as the flanker still often assumes kicking duties for Esher. If he ever returns to Dublin, Peter would love to play GAA once more for his beloved O'Tooles.

But for now, there will be a proud O'Tooles representative playing for the most historic rugby team in the game. The Barbarians is an honour bestowed to few rugby players, and Peter is aware of the responsibility that comes with the chance of playing for the 'Baa-Baas'.

There is no doubt Peter would not be the successful rugby player that he is today without his time at O'Tooles GAA club. He immersed himself in sport from a young age. He has transferred the abilities he amassed playing GAA to his rugby career.

A rugby career which has been awash with highlights; although none bigger than representing the Barbarians in his hometown of Dublin.

For Peter, the Synnott family, O'Tooles GAA club, Belvedere College, and Clontarf rugby club, Wednesday night is sure to be a proud and inspiring night for everyone involved.

S.DAWSON 24/04/14

Johnny Corcoran: The man who set the foundations for Castleknock GAA club

2014-04-11T01:33:00.000-07:00

Johnny Corcoran is a truly remarkable character. From Finglas to Castleknock, via Leixlip, he has immersed himself in the GAA. Johnny is a proud Erin’s Isle man who was involved in the iconic Dublin squad of the 70s, commonly known as ‘Heffo’s Army’.

His enthusiasm for the game stemmed from his love for Erin’s Isle. There was a fantastic mix of characters within the club in the early 70s. “Every county in Ireland was represented where we lived,” recalls a nostalgic Johnny. Finglas East has produced many notable Dublin GAA stalwarts. John Costello, Paddy Canning, and Mick Seavers, who are all vital county board members, lived in the same neighbourhood as Johnny.

It is fair to say that Heffo encouraged the love Johnny had developed for the GAA. Johnny is adamant that you should always play for your local club. He married and moved to Leixlip where he joined his local GAA club, engulfing himself within the local community. When he moved to Castleknock in 1996, it was no different. The only challenge was that there was no GAA club in his local area to join. Johnny knew this issue must be addressed.

St Patrick’s Day 1998: Johnny’s hometown club Erin’s Isle lose out to Corofin by five points in the All Ireland Football Club Championship. However, thoughts turned from Erin’s Isle of Finglas to a potential new club in Castleknock. Johnny raised the thought with the late John Egan, who was county chairman at the time. John Egan attended Beneavin College in Finglas, a school with a strong GAA ethos. He was fully supportive of Johnny’s plans. John Costello, county secretary at the time, also committed to supporting the venture of creating a GAA club in Castleknock.

Johnny explains why he wanted to start a new club. “The love of the game is what drove us to start something from scratch. It’s all about the promotion of hurling and football. I saw, first-hand, in Finglas East and Leixlip what a GAA club can do for the area. The community spirit it brings into the place is amazing. Between 1985 and 1998, there were an awful lot of houses built in Castleknock; the population exploded.

We came in at the right time. The Celtic Tiger era came after so even more houses appeared then. We were able to capitalise on that; there was a bit of luck involved too.”

Johnny initially got the plan in motion. Fergus Hamill, a friend of Johnny’s and a teacher in Castleknock, became involved after John Egan had mentioned it to the Monaghan native. Fergus, at first, was slightly apprehensive about the idea. He eventually became the first chairman of the club. Johnny, although a humble man, was focused, driven, and extremely intent on succeeding with the Castleknock GAA project.

“You have to be on the edge all of the time. I was going around telling people white lies. I asked Fergus would he come to a meeting if we got a group of people involved. But at the time I had no one else, there was only me.”

Johnny was cunning in how he went about organising support. His resilience paid off in the form of luck on many occasions. “My third son, Rory, was in Francis Xavier School and there was a man there, John O’Brien, who would take the class out a few evenings every week and play football in the field under the lights from the shopping centre. The lights were shining onto the school and that’s how they first started with GAA.”

John O’Brien didn’t have a big GAA background but his enthusiasm was what drew Johnny to him. John agreed to support the plan of creating a Castleknock GAA team. That group of school children formed the first juvenile team for the club at under 10 level.

John was part of a small group that held their first meeting upstairs in Myos pub, in Castleknock. Another man associated with Erin’s Isle, John Conway, was an integral part of that meeting. He was good friends with John Costello, as they grew up together. Plans were coming together for Castleknock GAA club. Suddenly, they had a chairman and secretary agreed on, Fergus Hamill and John Conway, respectively. It became a bit of an obsession for Johnny as he put all of his spare time into the project. But that’s what was needed.

The group agreed to meet once a week, in order to build up regularity. From the outset, they organised professional meetings; minutes of the meetings were taken. Although they were not officially a club yet, they were doing things right.

“From the start we could see Castleknock was a great name. Everyone knows Castleknock as a nice area which would be good for sponsorship. We were putting Castleknock on the map. It was never associated with the GAA, until we came along.”

“The essence of the GAA is localism. You want local rivalry. The area around Castleknock is a hotbed for the GAA. If you come up the Navan Road, there is a GAA club in every parish. You have St Finbarrs, Oliver Plunketts, St Brigids, and if you keep travelling up that road you’re met with a club in Clonee and a club in Dunboyne. They may be in a bordering county but they’re still the next parishes.

If you go west, then you’ve now got Castleknock, St Peregrines, Tyrrelstown, Westmanstown Gaels, Lucan Sarsfields, and Confey.”

Castleknock also had a struggle competing for grounds. In April and September of 1998, there was a desperate rush to obtain grounds to play on. They received a green in a housing estate to use as a juvenile pitch.

“We could only put up temporary posts as the local residents didn’t want us using it as a permanent pitch. We were happy to agree to that. We knew beggars couldn’t be choosers. We went up every Saturday morning and dragged steal posts up. We had to put them up and take them down during the week too if there was a match. It was hard going but it was great fun.”

Their home ground was affectionately known as Tir Na nOg. In early July of that year, before official approval was granted, they had begun training. Twenty five children showed up for their first session on a beautifully sunny Saturday morning. A week later, they were officially granted approval.

Castleknock entered three juvenile teams at under 9, under 10, and under 11. Approval was needed by July in order for all paperwork to be submitted and approved for the start of the leagues in September. However, there were still some stumbling blocks along the way.

“If we hadn’t of been approved when we were, just before the deadline, we may have folded,” admits Johnny.

He goes on to say, “at certain stages, we were very worried because the county board only meet once a month. We were working hourly. Big wheels move slowly. However, it all worked out in the end. We even entered an adult football team for the start of the season. So now we had to search for an adult pitch.”

The county council provided Castleknock with a pitch in Porterstown and it all took off from there. Within eight Saturdays they had 100 children playing for the club.

They hounded local schools for support. Johnny recognises the support Castleknock Community College gave to the new club. Their principal wrote a letter which Johnny produced to the county board and local politicians in order to entice them to support the club.

Johnny elaborates on how funds were raised in order to give momentum to the project. “The local pubs were much busier than they are now. We used to be down there every night of the week gathering support. We got everything from them. They really were so supportive. They gave us cash when it was needed in order to buy anything for the club. We organised functions. Mick Lynch, a great man from Cavan, organised two golf classics in the one year with 50 teams in each. That’s a great bit of money raised. It was tough, but we got there.”

At their second meeting, they created a membership scheme. They all decided to give €20 each. The thinking behind this was that if 20 people gave €20 then that €400 could be used to purchase a set of jerseys. Johnny was overwhelmed with the support the club received at the start. “The local T.Ds were great - Joan Burton and the late Brian Lenihan – but so too were all of the local councillors.”

Castleknock were beginning to progress as a club. A year after their inception, they entered a junior hurling team. At times Johnny and the chairman, Fergus Hamill, often found themselves playing for the adult teams in order to fulfil the numbers needed.

“We adopted the mindset from the start which was to never give a walkover. I’d be very upset if we gave a team a walkover, even if it meant lads playing two or three times per weekend. That is how we aimed to get ourselves a good name in the county board. We never withdrew teams. Even if we were beaten, at least we fielded a team and fulfilled the fixture. We insisted on developing a good name that way.”

As the years progressed, Castleknock further improved as a club. In 2007 they won an All Ireland Division One hurling Feile. It was an extraordinary achievement for a club who were in existence for less than ten years. The Feile was held in Kilkenny. None of the country teams had even heard of Castleknock GAA Club. They were astonished that a relatively new Dublin club, whose facilities consisted of a council pitch and a container as a makeshift dressing room, were playing at this level. Castleknock beat Ahane of Limerick in the final. Brian Cody gave a pre-match talk to the team as he helped mentor the teams who had knocked out the local Kilkenny teams from the competition.

: Members of Castleknock GAA Club during the Feile na nGael Atha Cliath parade in 2012

Confidence was extremely high in the club after that victory. The adult teams were gaining promotions and are now playing at very respectable levels in Division 2 football and Division 3 hurling. The Feile win in 2007 was the juvenile highlight for Johnny, and he admits it would be “very hard to beat that feeling of winning our first national juvenile competition.” However, progress can be seen at all levels in the club.

“Two years ago, we won the Junior A Dublin Championship in football which was brilliant. Kenmare beat us in the All Ireland Junior A semi-final which was disappointing, but it was a great achievement to reach that stage. Last year, we won the Junior A Dublin Championship in hurling. The hurlers will be hoping for promotion this year, but there’s no pressure on them. They’re a very young team.”

Castleknock are currently fielding three adult football and hurling teams. On average, there are 170 children who attend the nursery level in the club on a Saturday morning. According to Johnny, there are around 1,000 members in the club with a big emphasis put on family membership. There are an estimated 600 families involved with the club. The team who won the All Ireland hurling Feile achieved more success at minor level when they won the Dublin minor A football Championship. Competing at the top level has occurred for Castleknock, now they must strive to maintain that level of success.

: Castleknock and Dublin star forward, Ciaran Kilkenny

When one talks about the current state Castleknock find themselves in, the name Ciaran Kilkenny must be mentioned. In Johnny’s opinion, Ciaran was “the best bit of talent in Dublin at under 14 level up to minor both in football and hurling.” He goes on to state that: “his talent was evident since the cradle. The impact he has had in promoting Castleknock has been huge; he’s a genuinely nice lad which helps the cause too.

The saga about him going to Australia and returning was mind-blowing for us. A few people had a quiet word trying to convince him to stay, for the good of his future career, but you can only say that to a certain extent. He’s an all round fantastic sportsman; he’s a brilliant tennis player too. His recent injury is not only a huge blow to him, but to everyone involved with Dublin GAA. I wish him all the best in his recovery.”

Overall Johnny is proud of the progress that Castleknock have made. “It was such a huge challenge at the start to get the club on firm footing and not just be temporary.

A lot of people involved with other clubs in Dublin saw us as a temporary idea at the start, especially when we were first looking for pitches. We were offered pitches on Dunsink dump and the joke was that Castleknock were going to get pitches with underground heating! A councillor actually came back to us with that idea. But that would have killed us; we aimed for everything to be local.”

Castleknock is now a distinct GAA area thanks to work Johnny and many others have put in.

“It’s been tough going at times, you have to be really focused. You have to be prepared to go beyond the call of duty sometimes. It takes up all of your spare time, but that’s how the GAA thrives. I was on talking terms with every chairman in the county, and we get on really well with other clubs. For me personally, in a sporting context, Castleknock GAA means everything to me. We’re promoting the games that we should be familiar with. It’s great for the community ultimately. When you put so much into it, it’s fantastic to see so much come out of it. You’d be a bit disappointed if it hadn’t reached the levels you intended, but at the moment we’re exceeding all expectations.”

Johnny recalls one of his most recent happy memories associated with Castleknock.

“One of the biggest matches this year, in a way the biggest adult football match we ever played, was against our local rivals St Brigids. We had to win in order to gain promotion to Division 2. The match was scheduled for the Sunday. On the previous Friday night, we had to beat Whitehall Colmcille’s in order to get to that position which was very tough. Beating Whitehall was our best ever win in terms of the standard of football, as Whitehall play in the senior championship. We brought a huge crowd down to St Brigids that Sunday and we came away victorious. But we were all welcomed in the clubhouse afterwards with absolutely no animosity.”

Indeed there has been a great amount of work put into Castleknock GAA Club but there are miles to go before they sleep. They recently acquired grounds beside the Castleknock Hotel where they now have fantastic playing facilities. Building work on a clubhouse should begin this summer. Johnny is aware though that they must keep progressing as a club.

“If we think everything is rosy then that’s the rock you perish on. You have to keep working hard and see where that takes you. But generally, it’s been brilliant. I can’t wait to look back on all the brilliant work we’ve achieved when our 20^th anniversary comes around in 2018.”

With his welcoming mannerisms, unique Finglas humour, and his honest toil, it’s clear to see why Johnny Corcoran has been so beneficial to Castleknock GAA Club.

There has been a core group of men working relentlessly on behalf of Castleknock since its inception in 1998. It’s these people that are the life and soul of the GAA.

They are the true patrons of the game. They represent the tireless volunteer work which the GAA embodies. It’s people like Johnny Corcoran that make it possible for Dublin GAA to achieve success at the highest level of the sport.

But for players rising through the ranks of Castleknock GAA club, it would be advisable to follow Johnny’s mantra.

“Castleknock should be people’s main aim. You have to start at the grassroots and if you’re good enough, Dublin will come calling. But the parish comes first!”

S.DAWSON 11/04/14

Eamon 'Silver Dunning': "GAA is my life"

2014-04-07T13:57:00.001-07:00

The GAA is a unique organisation. It is an unparalleled amateur sporting organisation that is played, and run, at a professional standard. It is arguably the most professional sporting organisation in the country, even though it operates on an amateur playing basis. The effort put in by volunteer coaches at the grassroots level of a GAA club is most admirable. There is a certain unique spirit the GAA possesses, and Eamon Dunning embodies this characteristic.

The Roscommon native is a well travelled man who has adopted St Brigids GAA club as his club. He is quick to point out that his roots are in Clonown, Roscommon, and that his local team Clann na nGael will be in his heart forever. Where ever Eamon has travelled, his love of the GAA has followed.

He recalls a tale from his youth: “we’d go to 10 o’clock mass and then we’d meet our neighbours and we’d spend all day kicking a ball in a field. We had to make the football out of paper and tie twine around it. We wouldn’t go home for dinner even. It was the same in school; we’d make a football and spend all day kicking it around. We all lived for football.”

The GAA has been omnipresent in the life of Eamon Dunning. In 1965, Eamon emigrated to Manchester and he linked up with St Brendans GAA club during his time in England. It was his time playing Gaelic football in Manchester that developed his character both on and off the pitch.

“Football in Manchester was filthy; it was absolutely filthy. You’d want to be insured to play, but having said that, when the game was over you’d go and have a few drinks with the lads and there was no bitterness. At the time you could be working with the same guys on the building sites and although they’d be playing for another club, they’d still be your friends. It was most enjoyable,” says Eamon.

The handful of clubs based in Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham who all played in a Lancashire league were solely made up of ex-pats. The English never integrated. It is clear there was a strong commitment to the GAA from the Irish in the sports-mad city of Manchester. “We used to train every Thursday and you’d have to get two or three buses out to train, it was tough going,” a nostalgic Eamon recalls.

In 1971 Eamon returned home to Ireland and settled in Blanchardstown, Dublin. The local club was St Brigids. He joined St Brigids in 1975 and nearly 40 years later he is still seen around the club on a weekly basis. Eamon began his career with St Brigids by chance when he stopped to watch a local GAA match.

It’s clear that Eamon’s devotion to the club began from the outset as he says: “at the time, they only had one intermediate team. A year later myself and a friend of mine, Jim Powell, started a second team. It all really started from there. An under 21 team was created and a junior team then followed.”

In the early 80s, St Brigids created a juvenile committee which had a separate chairman, secretary, and treasurer. Eamon believes this is the “best thing that the club have ever done.” The club linked up with local primary schools in Blanchardstown, Castleknock, Corduff, and Clonsilla. These teams started an under 10 league of their own, refusing to enter into the Fingal league.

“They used to be fierce matches at under 10. It was a great idea to have them play locally before entering the Fingal league at under 11. Jason Ward was a product of this system before playing Senior in 1991,” according to Eamon.

Jason Ward, although a proud St Brigids man, played inter-county football for Leitrim. He was the first player to avail of the parent rule and he was part of the Leitrim side who famously won the 1994 Connacht Championship.

Eamon was the manager of one of the teams from Clonsilla. He rejoices: “we won the league in ’84 and we won it well. We had three girls on the team that beat Blanchardstown, who had all boys in their squad, in the final. It was a great day.”

Eamon gave up playing at the age of 35 and he’s been coaching teams ever since. Eamon loved the early stages of his coaching career, stating: “St Brigids started a camogie team in the 70s and I coached it. We won a good few leagues and championships, I even brought them up to Senior B level.”

“Then I started coaching minor hurling. We won the minor hurling division 3 about five years ago. I love coaching the juvenile teams because if you take an under 9 or under 10 team, they don’t even know how to pick up a ball. The following year they can do that. The following year they can hit a ball. You see promotion all of the time. They’re learning all the time and it’s the thrill of a lifetime to see them play minor hurling.”

Eamon explains the key to the success of his minor winning side: “when we won the minor championship, we had Paul Winters (current Dublin senior inter-country hurler) on that team. He was only 15 but he was a different class. To see all of them progress, all of the time, is an absolute pleasure to watch.”

Eamon is still coaching in St Brigids: “I’m coaching a Junior division 6 side at the moment. I’m coaching 30 years and I keep saying I’ll leave it because I want to watch the Seniors play and when you’re coaching a team you just don’t have the time to do that. But I love it. I might go back down to coaching juveniles again. I’ve grandchildren coming along and the ultimate goal would be to see them playing inter-county football.”

“All of my grandchildren are involved with St Brigids. The GAA is my life. I would not be as fit as I am today only for the GAA. I’d go home and sit down and do nothing if it wasn’t for the GAA. But I’m out there with a football with the kids. I’m always training down in the club and it is terrific the people you’d meet.”

The GAA thrives on its community based ethos which is evident as Eamon says: “I’ve met Sean Og O’hAilpin in my house. James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick was up training my minor team. Brendan Murphy of Offaly and Damien Hayes of Galway were up speaking to the team. I know all the Cork footballers. Paudie Kissane is a great friend of mine. It’s the people that you meet which is unreal. They’re all friends of mine. I was at a wedding two months ago and I had a great chat with Mick O’Dwyer.”

Eamon has gained many things from St Brigids such as “hardship and many friends.” He speaks of the welcoming nature of St Brigids: “every friend I have has some association with the club. They all call me ‘Silver’. They wouldn’t know me by my real name at this stage.”

The friendship and family ties are interlinked for Eamon as he speaks about his wife: “my wife is a Cork woman and she too was heavily involved with St Brigids. Coming back from Cork and anytime there was a football or hurling match on, we’d have to stop and look at it. That’s the one thing I have to say about the woman I married; she embodies sport. She was out seven nights a week. When I was playing she’d have three of the children with her – two in the pram and one holding her hand – and she’d push them across the field walking to watch us. And that’s the family spirit that the GAA is all about.”

Indeed there is something very special about the GAA. For those who are involved, no explanation is necessary; for those who aren’t no explanation is possible. Eamon told me of a story which he feels represents what the GAA means to him. “I had a cousin over from Australia two years ago for the Dublin v Mayo match. There were two lads gunning for each other in the Hogan Stand. But as soon as the final whistle went, they were walking up the aisle talking to each other. We went to the pub afterwards and there they were drinking together. My cousin just couldn’t physically believe it. He was afraid more lads would come into the pub and it would be uneasy.”

“The GAA breeds a unique type of person. You go into Meaghers, The Big Tree, Hedigans, or any pub around Croke Park and they are all drinking together. It’s hard to explain to an outsider.” On a more local level, Eamon has his priorities set for his beloved St Brigids. “My hope for St Brigids is for them to reach a county final. To beat St Vincents would be ideal. I’d hope for that because that’s why you play the game, you must want to reach that level.”

“One thing St Brigids has had all my lifetime is a great chairman to bring them forward. And each time they take the club one step further.” Eamon is in high praise of the work done by current chairman Billy Quane.

Eamon reiterates his heritage by saying: “I don’t shout for Dublin, I support their efforts, but I’m a Roscommon man and that’s the only team I truly support.” Having said that, Eamon goes on to praise his adopted Dublin club saying that: “St Brigids help out greatly in the parish; it brings people together. It’s brilliant. I think the GAA really is so special. I’d have nothing wrong said about the GAA. You could kick lumps out of each other on the pitch and you’d still be the best of friends in the dressing room.”

The GAA plays a pivotal role in many rural towns across the country. Eamon agrees that the organisation is “all powerful”. “I think that the GAA is something very special. If I was driving along and I saw a soccer match, I wouldn’t bother with it. But if I was driving along and I saw two ducks playing Gaelic Football, I’d have to stop and watch them.”

Eamon Dunning is the GAA. His journey from Clann na nGael of Roscommon to St Brigids of Dublin, via St Brendans of Manchester, is a route illuminated by the eternal flame the GAA shines upon Ireland. It’s very easy to follow a GAA club; it’s much more difficult to support one.

When players such as Shane Supple, Paddy Andrews, Sean Murray and the now retired Barry Cahill don the blue and navy of Dublin, it is because people like Eamon Dunning are tirelessly putting in the effort of training the stars of the future in St Brigids. Without people like Eamon, St Brigids wouldn’t survive. He, like many others, is the life and soul of the club. St Brigids relies upon volunteers such as Eamon to be the lifeline of the club. And there is a certain soothing comfort in knowing that there are still many years of devotion still to come from Eamon 'Silver' Dunning.

S.DAWSON 07/04/14

South Africa Gaels end their tour of Ireland with exciting clash against Ballyboden St Endas

2014-03-26T16:27:00.000-07:00

On a bitterly cold Dublin evening emerged a South African Gaelic football team to face Ballyboden St Endas. They made the short walk from the dressing room to the pitch with their arms linked, chanting in unison.

It was the inaugural tour for the South African Gaels. A team made up of South African and Zimbabwean natives, and former Irish ex-pats. They were captained by Steven Mavinga who played in midfield alongside former Ballyboden star, Greg Heraty.

The match was played in four 15 minute quarters. The rules were relaxed for the visiting opposition with kick-outs and 45s being allowed to be taken out of their hands. Ballyboden fielded their Junior B side that compete in Division 9.

Although Ballyboden were a much more experienced side, the Dubliners were lucky to come away with a victory thanks to a goal late in the fourth quarter.

At half-time the score was 0-04 to 0-01 in favour of Ballyboden, but it was an open free-flowing encounter. Plenty of scoring opportunities were created but the South Africans' finishing let them down on occasions. It took Ballyboden most of the first two quarters to adjust to the speed of their opponents.

It was a thrilling performance from the South African side. The athleticism of the Africans was prevalent throughout, especially in the third quarter when they blitzed their opponents by scoring two goals and four points compared to Ballyboden’s two points.

The final score was 3-08 to 2-09 in favour of Ballyboden St Endas. However, the final score mattered little. It was all about the occasion; the once in a lifetime experience that these South Africans were immersing themselves in, throughout their time in Ireland.

The South African Gaels played against a St Vincents Masters selection on Sunday evening before travelling to play St Marys in Belfast on Monday. Brian Mullins coached the squad in UCD on the Saturday. The lessons learned from this trip will no doubt add to the development of the GAA in South Africa.

Ultimately what cost the South African Gaels was their lack of accuracy. Their Manager, Paul Carpenter, agrees. “It was a close game but we made too many mistakes. We didn’t execute properly when we attacked. We panicked a little, maybe that was down to the occasion.”

The few mistakes that were made were admirable for a team who have only been in existence for four years. It is the first time that the group have been out of South Africa together, with the exception of competing in the Dubai Gulf Gaelic Games competition. For a few members of the squad it was the first time they have ever left South Africa.

Paul Carpenter has been with the team since its inception. He first got involved with the GAA while he was living in Singapore. He was part of a GAA club in Singapore for nearly ten years. When he moved to South Africa, one of his first ventures was to set up a GAA club in the region.

The English native believes that the GAA can thrive in South Africa over the next few years.

“I knew that the South African boys would have a natural ability to play the sport. The interaction and the speed of the game, the hand-eye coordination; they really just take to it. If we can, as an international community, come together to create competition to give other countries outside of Ireland something to play for then there is great potential to go forward."

Captain Steven Mavinga commented that: “the game was very intense. We have learned a lot in Ireland. In the last quarter the lads from Ballyboden started to step it up a level which was tough for us. It was clear that we were getting a bit tired near the end so that is something we have to work on.”

He went on to say that: “Overall we did very well. We took everything we learned in Ireland on board. We have been taught to keep composure and keep the structure of the game at all times, thanks to coaching from Brian Mullins.”

The South African squad have learned a lot both on and off the pitch. Earlier in the day, before their match against Ballyboden, the team visited Stormont in Belfast.

They were given a tour of Government buildings before meeting with Martin McGuinness, deputy first minister of Northern Ireland.

Carpenter recalls that: “Stormont was hilarious. The guys were bouncing up and down singing songs with Martin McGuinness in the middle of it all. Joe Brolly was there too. He was taking ‘selfies’ with the team and putting them up on Twitter. We’ve really been so warmly welcomed everywhere we went. It’s been an absolutely fantastic experience.”

The team were given a history lesson in Stormont also. Steven Mavinga mentions the links between Northern Ireland and South Africa. “In Belfast, we learned a lot about the conflict in Northern Ireland and how it relates to the apartheid regime we were subjected to in South Africa. They are still working on relations in Northern Ireland and we are still working on issues back home in South Africa too. There are a lot of similarities between our two countries.”

Next up for the South African Gaels is the Dubai Gulf Gaelic Games competition at the end of March. The competition features teams from the Middle East, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, and even Ireland. There are competitive and social level standards. South African Gaels will be entering teams at both grades in what is sure to be another exciting challenge for Paul Carpenter and his team of enthusiastic African Gaelic football devotees.

Over the next few months, two permanent GAA development officials are being set up in South Africa in the Johannesburg townships of Tembisa and Alexandra. The South African Gaels are grateful to their sponsors ESB International who have been extremely forthcoming in their support for the team.

The GAA has gone global, and South Africa is thriving on a sport steeped in history and tradition. This tour of Ireland will no doubt enhance the reputation of the GAA in South Africa and further afield.

The South African Gaels team show off their dancing skills after the game; listen out for the most Irish GAA comment ever at the end of the video.

S.DAWSON 26/03/14

Hugh Gill, St Vincent's vice-captain relieved to be over injury setbacks.

2014-03-18T17:25:00.000-07:00

: St Vincent's vice-captain, Hugh Gill.

Hugh Gill tasted All Ireland Club Football glory with St Vincents in 2008. The fresh faced defender who was just out of minor sampled the fruits of the ultimate prize in club football without maybe fully realising the enormity of the achievement. Now, as the current vice-captain, Gill, recalls his experience six years ago.

“I was pretty fresh faced when we won it in 2008. I was only out of playing Minor football and it came pretty quickly but it was a brilliant feeling and a great experience. Although, I think it kind of went over my head because it came so quick I thought it was going to come every year.”

The 25 year old has suffered with some serious injuries over the past few years but he is now focused on bringing the Andy Merrigan Cup back to St Vincents for a second time in his career.

“I had a tough couple of years with injuries but thankfully I’m back in contention, playing football and most importantly, I’m enjoying it.”

The gut wrenching experience of losing to Ballymun Kickams in the previous Dublin championship campaign only intensified this Vincents team’s desire to get the job done this season, according to Gill.

“When Tommy Conroy took over, we sat down and we had a target of winning the Dublin Senior Football Championship. The first year we came very close. We lost to Ballymun Kickhams in the quarter final of Dublin by a point. We had about 18 wides that day and they went on to an All Ireland Club final so we knew we were close. That loss put a lot of hunger into the team. People realised how close we were to doing something special last year so we knew we just had to keep working hard and it should eventually come.”

: Hugh Gill embraces club teammate, goalkeeper, Michael Savage,

The efforts of Mossy Quinn have been appreciated by the whole panel. Hugh Gill admits that “it gives everyone a lift when you see your corner forward chasing back and doing some dirty work. As a defender it gives you such a lift and such motivation when you see a forward dispossessing someone. It makes you want to go and do the exact same thing. It comes down to the trust we have in each other. Mossy leads by example and gets everyone going.”

The talented corner back is keen to stress at every opportunity that his side’s strong and united squad mentality is their biggest asset.

"We played most of the league without our inter-county players. We were used to playing without them. If they were fit to come in then it was obviously a bonus but if they weren't it wasn't a big deal. Mossy Quinn cracked a joke in the dressing room after Ger Brennan was sent off in the match against St Lomans when he said that we were back to our best team now. It shows you the strength we have in the entire panel. I think there are 35 lads here now and any sub that’s ever come on has improved the team".

S.DAWSON 18/03/14

PSNI harass the GAA

2014-03-10T18:01:00.001-07:00

Recently a young Antrim hurler, Domhnall Ó Moraín, and his friends were stopped by the PSNI for carrying hurls outside the ground of Casement Park.

Casement Park is the county ground of Antrim, located in Belfast. With a capacity of over 32,000 it is one of the biggest GAA stadiums in Ireland.

The police accused the group of young athletes of carrying dangerous and offensive weapons before attempting to take the hurls off of them.

When the group refused to hand over their sports equipment, the PSNI attempted to unjustly claim they were trespassing on Northern Ireland Railway property.

This video shows The Mairead Farrell Republican Youth Committee holding a demonstration at the former Andersonstown RUC barracks in protest at the PSNI's harassment of young nationalists who were innocently carrying a hurl.

This disgusting case of discrimination is something that nobody in Ireland should have to deal with in 2014.

This horrifying case of police harassment of these young GAA members may give precedence for more suspect profiling on the bases of sporting allegiances which have ties to a certain divide in the community of Northern Ireland.

Please share this video to help spread the message that we, as a united Irish nation in favour of peace and equality, will not be discriminated against in representing a national sport steeped in years of charity, history, and tradition.

S.DAWSON 10/03/14

Jesse Corcoran of St Pats Donabate

2014-03-06T16:19:00.001-08:00

Jesse Corcoran, St Pats Donabate Senior captain.

Twenty eight year old Jesse Corcoran personifies the resilience and determination seen in the St Pats of Donabate senior panel over the last number of years. It is no surprise that this Donabate native has reached the pinnacle of his career by captaining his team to the highest level of Dublin club football.

Jesse is born and bred in Donabate and started playing Gaelic football at a relatively late age. As a child he played a lot of soccer. The only GAA outlet he had at the time was through his school. When Jesse was younger, St Pats never had any underage setup. It wasn’t until he was 16 that he began his illustrious career with St Pats starting off playing minor football for the Black and Green.

A lot of the players he plays with today at senior level started off together playing minor football. Jesse recalls that “ we started our own minor team from nothing, just the local lads started playing. We always had adult teams but they were in Division 6 and Division 10. We came out of minor level into Division 6. We gave it a bash and now we’re up in Division 1.”

The confidence in the group has always been prevalent. “It’s been the same group of lads all the way up. We probably only had 15 lads in that minor team but we stuck together through it all. When we progressed, we figured that we were too good to be playing in Division 6 and our aim always was to be playing at a much higher level.”

The club have enjoyed three successive promotions under the captaincy of Jesse Corcoran. Jesse attributed the success of these promotions to hard work on behalf of the whole panel. “We trained hard and when we originally won Division 6, we knew that this was the start of something special.”

“I wouldn’t say there’s any key to the promotions. We train hard and everyone believes in the lads around them. There’s a good mentality in the team. Everyone’s friends; we all grew up together and we’ll always fight for each other. That’s the type of hard work which has pulled us literally from Division 6 to Division 1."

Adrian Henchy has managed the side from when they were lingering in Division 4. During his first two years in charge of the team, they got to the play-offs both years but unfortunately lost in the final. The third year they gained promotion from Division 4 to Division 3. St Pats' first year in Division 3 saw the Donabate outfit secure promotion to Division 2 through the play-offs.

Adrian Hency’s first silverware with the club came when they won the Division 2 title, a year after promotion. Jesse appreciates the effort Adrian has made turning this St Pats side into a title winning team. Jesse notes that when Adrian came on board things “really started to look more professional.”

“There was no more messing about when Adrian came in. He brought his own strict rules and we all bought into it. He is one of the main factors that we were able to take it to the next level. Before Adrian, we had Charlie Redmond coaching us and that was a very high standard. When Charlie first left us, we were thinking who’s going to take us further?”

Jesse is aware of Adrian’s respectable management background. “He has a good previous record. He’s managed Na Fianna at senior level and he has captained them as a player. He’s got that bit of experience that instilled professionalism in us.” Jesse elaborates on the lifestyle Adrian demanded from the players.

“The training changed gradually. We worked a lot more on fitness. He told us to knock the drink on the head so we all got into good shape. We started to feel like real athletes. When we were playing in Division 6 we were a pub team and that mentality was still in the panel when we got to Division 4. Too many lads enjoyed their weekends and their few pints.”

Adrian saw the potential in the team and Jesse recalls that the manager “demanded that old lifestyle had to be knocked on the head.” Jesse admits that the drinking ban was a “shock to the system” but “everyone has bought into it and everyone has genuinely stuck by it."

St Pats Donabate Senior panel 2014

Jesse is ambitiously confident about the season ahead. “Obviously you’re not going to stop, you’re always going to want to be better and go further. Staying up is obviously the goal this year but that was the same goal last year and we ended up winning the league. All we can do is take every game as it comes and try to win them all.”

The management team along with Jesse, and vice-captains Niall Collins and Michael Lynders, met at the start of the year to assess their goals for the season. They agreed that “it’s obviously a massive step up." In Division 1 there will be matches against inter-county players on a weekly basis. The team know that “staying up would be a good achievement.”

However, Jesse is adamant that they don’t limit themselves. “We’ll go out to beat every team and we want to hold Donabate as a fortress. We want to make sure teams don’t like coming out to Donabate because they’re in for a massive game. That’s what we as a team set out to do.”

Aside from the league, Jesse has unfinished business with the Intermediate Championship. “We’re definitely aiming to win the Intermediate Championship this year. That’s the real goal because we’ve found ourselves stuck there over the last few years. We see ourselves as a senior side and so we should be playing in the Senior Championship.”

The St Pats captain envisages a bright future for the club who mark their 90th anniversary this year. They are the biggest sporting organisation in the area, with nearly 600 active playing members and 200 non-playing members. When Jesse started playing there were only two adult teams; one in division 6 and the other in division 10.

Now the club is packed at the weekends. There are nurseries, juvenile teams, and there are hundreds of children who enjoy being part of this club which thrives on its community spirit. Blitzes are played on a regular basis in the club and the minor team are competing at a higher level than the team Jesse and the senior panel of today were playing at. There is an extremely positive vibe around the club at the moment. Jesse notes the importance of integrating everyone within the club.

“I think we’re setting an example for the younger lads. We started training with a few of the under 16’s this year, purely just to try and break them in. They’ll get used to the squad easier that way. They’re really enjoying it and they’re looking up to some of the older lads.”

“They can see where we came from and where we are now. I think it’s massively impacted a lot of them to even knock the drink on the head. Committing to our hectic training schedule and giving up the weekend for matches is a huge commitment for a young lad at the age of 16. It stops them acting the maggot as well.”

Jesse goes on to say that: “it is a lot of training that we are doing but to be fair they’re all buying into it. I really think that’s down to the success of the first team. Nobody wants to come up as a 16 year old and play Division 6 football. I find it great to see the hard work pay off and to do it with lads you grew up with, your best friends, it means an awful lot to me. But now we want to push on even further as a team, as a bunch of friends, and as a parish.”

Jesse speaks about the positive energy which is resonating in Donabate as a result of the success the senior team has achieved. “It’s huge for the parish. You can see the rise in attendances now. It went from basically nothing to two or three hundred watching our games. It’s great to see. It’s had a ripple effect right down through the parish. Everyone has seemed to notice us and it has given everyone a lift around the club.”

The team have infinite ambitions and Jesse reiterates his desire to achieve success in the Intermediate Championship. “We really are out to win the Intermediate Championship this year. However, we are aware that the competition is even tougher this year. Castleknock and Naomh Barrog are two teams on the up who have recently broke into division 2 and they’ll be looking to get into the Senior Championship too. Fingallians will also be a threat. They’ve beaten us in the past but we really think it’s ours to win. Hopefully we can do it this year.”

Jesse is aware that there are plans for the club to celebrate their 90th birthday and he tentatively remarks that: “nobody wants to mark a 90th by being relegated.” He goes on to say that: “we want to give a good account of ourselves for the club and for the parish.”The team are aware that there is an added pressure as the club prepare to celebrate their milestone.

“We want to do well for everyone that comes up to support us. We’re grateful for the club backing us. There’s always pressure on us to stay up, especially after we’re coming off the back of a promotion. Other clubs are looking at us and presuming that we’re going straight back down. But we know what our abilities are and what we are capable of. For that reason, we’re always confident going into games.”

Jesse contemplates the notion of reaching the unfathomable heights at the top of Division 1. “If we make Donabate a fortress like we have done over the past couple of years then anything is possible. Reaching the top four isn’t a million miles away and that would secure a play-off. If we play to our strengths and to the best of our abilities, we reckon we can take anyone on our day. It’s a good mentality to have. But it is our first year in Division 1 so we’ll see how it goes.”

Jesse's St Pats Donabate are taking on Ballymun Kickams on Sunday at 10.30am in Donabate.

S.DAWSON 06/03/14

Graham Linehan: one half of the comedy duo that gave us Father Ted.

2014-02-28T08:09:00.001-08:00

Today mark’s the 16^th anniversary of one of Ireland’s greatest comedic talents, Dermot Morgan. The most iconic role that he played was the lead role of Fr Ted Crilly in the hit sitcom, Fr Ted. The show was created by Graham Lineham and Arthur Mathews. It was thanks to the hard work of Linehan that Dermot Morgan is such a well known face both in Ireland and England. Dermot Morgan spoke extremely highly of Graham Linehan describing his as an “insane comedy genius.”

Graham Linehan is one of the most accomplished comedy writers Ireland has produced. He is a product of Colaiste Dhulaigh, studying in the post-leaving certificate institution from 1987 to 1988. Graham studied media in the Coolock campus, which was the only campus at the time.

The Castlenock native came from a middle class background. He attended Plunkett’s secondary school in Whitehall before completing his tenure at second level education at the Catholic University School on the south side of Dublin city. Although Graham had a staunchly religious upbringing he has referred to himself in the past as “the first generation to turn their back on the Church.”

From an early age, Graham wanted to pursue a career in writing. Colaiste Dhulaigh enhanced his appetite for a career in media. Shortly after departing from Colaiste Dhulaigh, Graham obtained a job with Hot Press magazine. The journey Graham took in his literary career focuses more on the portfolio of work he built, than the educational institutions he attended.

In the current world of media, which is transforming daily, it is important to have stories that you can call your own. The fact that you’ve got those stories in a portfolio of work is of paramount importance. Stories that landed; stories that were real. Even though they didn’t end up where you wanted, those are yours. Sometimes you get a story and you might not work at some place that’s that important in the national narrative but if it’s important enough people will reach down and grab it, and it will end up happening for you. Luckily for Graham, this is what occurred.

During his time at Hot Press, he met Arthur Mathews. Arthur and Graham formed a formidable comedy duo. They were the writers for the iconic Irish comedy, Father Ted. Graham’s major breakthrough came from the success of Father Ted, produced by Hat Trick Productions for Channel 4. Actor Dermot Morgan regarded Hat Trick productions as the “AC Milan of comedy producers” Graham has stated in the past that he offered the show to Channel 4 instead of RTE because there was “no sophistication in Irish TV.”

Dermot Morgan who played the lead role of Fr Ted Crilly in the hit show Father Ted.

Graham departed for England in his early twenties. The early 90s was a very druggy scene in London, according to Graham. Ecstasy was the drug of journalism at the time. He had a very frugal living when he first arrived in the English capital. He spent his first few months living on floors, with a diet that, at one point, consisted entirely of hot dogs. While writing for music magazines in London, he maintained this unstable lifestyle for a few months going through those years in a slight fuzz.

His big break came with the production of the aforementioned Father Ted. The BAFTA award winning series is a timeless classic. First airing in 1995, it is still renowned today as one of the greatest comedy shows ever. It is also one of the most quotable comedy shows, thanks to the witty writing style of both Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan. In 2000, the pair released the scripts for the Father Ted series in a book entitled: ‘Father Ted: The Complete Scripts.’

Graham attributes the success of the series largely on the fact that it was aired on a British broadcasting channel. When talking about this decision Graham has also said: “why would you give it to RTE, you may as well give it to Waterford Glass”. Graham is aware that some of the clerical jokes may not be as successful in modern times, since the Church has been so victimised by the media.

The early complaints of the show being anti-Irish came largely from an English audience. Graham often found himself, as an Irishman, defending any anti-Irish sentiment perceived in the show against an opposing argument from an English contingent which was quite perplexing for the young Dubliner.

The success of Father Ted was a just reward for the gallant work the young and determined writer was putting into his work during his unglamorous living arrangements when he first emigrated to London in the early 90s.

Graham has also produced other hit comedic work. He scripted numerous scenes in sketch shows such as Harry Enfield and Chums, Brass Eye, Alas Smith and Jones, The All New Alexei Sayle Show, and The Fast Show where Graham, along with his writing partner Arthur Mathews, was the brainchild behind the characters Ted and Ralph.

Graham also wrote one series of Paris, which was not as highly acclaimed as Father Ted. It failed to get recommissioned after the first series. Graham’s most accomplished writing venture to date is Father Ted. However, the most tragic event of his career is also connected with this show. The actor, Dermot Morgan, who was omnipresent in the show with the lead role as Fr Ted Crilly, sadly passed away after suffering a heart attack just as the final series drew to a close.

The death obviously had quite an affect on the brash writer. It took Graham two years before returning to writing. During these years he returned to live in Dublin with his wife Helen, who he married in 2004. They had been living in the London suburb of Canonbury, near Islington. Canonbury has been voted one of the most dangerous towns in England due to its high crime rates.

Graham and his wife would often see posters on street lamps asking for eye witnesses to assaults and rapes, which occurred in broad daylight. As crime became more frequent in his locality, he knew it was time for a change. And he returned to his hometown. However, Dublin had changed greatly since he first departed for England.

Graham had grown up in the ‘Hot Press scene’ of casual writing and drinking in pubs which did not appeal now to a more focused and driven Graham. He wasn’t a big drinker either, so the pub lifestyle was never an option. The addition of the love of his life, Helen, was also a big factor in his more work-centred lifestyle. He was creating a family; he needed a secure income to provide for.

Graham returned to the comedy scene by co-writing Black Books, another highly successful show receiving a BAFTA for Best Situation Comedy in 2001. Graham was a mainstay of the first series of Black Books, scripting all six episodes with Dylan Moran. Graham took a step back for the following series and was determined to embark on a venture where he would be the only writer, after numerous co-writing experiences.

Graham’s first solo project was The IT Crowd. Graham both scripted and directed all 25 episodes, and was the producer of the first series. The show is beautifully crafted to have jokes throughout every episode while at the same time maintaining a storyline based on loveable nerds in an IT office expertly played by Chris O’Dowd and Richard Ayoade. The extravagant Noel Fielding makes regular appearances in the show also.

Graham decided to return to the traditional method of producing a show in front of a studio audience, mimicking the success that Father Ted achieved from such methods of production. He chose this uncommon method while successful comedy shows at the same time, such as The Office, were created in the opposite manner in a mockumentary style.

The IT Crowd won both an IFTA and BAFTA award in 2009 having been nominated the previous two years and missing out on achieving the top accolade. In 2008 the global success of The IT Crowd was evident as it claimed an International Emmy. The talent of Graham was being recognised in Britain and Ireland, and also across the globe, which is no more than this quick-thinking writing sensation deserved.

Graham’s most recent work was co-writing Count Arthur Strong with Steve Delaney which aired for six episodes on BBC 2 last year. The now 45 year old Graham Linehan has had a decorated career, one which is still developing as he embarks on many new projects. Although he is now happily married with two young children, he is still as driven as ever.

Graham’s latest venture is The Walshes, starring Owen Roe who many would know from his five year stint on Ballykissangel. The show is based on an Irish family and is set in Ireland but it is due to be shot in London. It will be co-produced by RTE and the BBC. The three-part series is based in the fictional west Dublin suburb of Strollinstown. The idea is based on Diet Of Worms web series Taste Of Home, which recreated a family’s home videos from the 1980s. The Walshe's debuts on RTE next Thursday the 6th of March.

Graham has had a hugely successful career since graduating Colaiste Dhulaigh 26 years ago. But his success has come from exploring all avenues himself. In order to be successful in the business, one must be confident enough to take chances. Graham nostalgically talks of his past experiences, once saying that: “I found it [moving to London] quite freeing. London just didn’t care about me. I could become a writer or I could become a junkie, and there would be no ripples either way”.

Graham Linehan’s fame can be seen from the fact he has amassed over 340,000 followers on Twitter. Any writer from Colaiste Dhulaigh can only hope if they are to be a fraction as successful as this particular alumni; they can take solace in the fact that their time in Colaiste Dhulaigh was educational, character building, and most efficacious. One cannot wait for their own extraordinary experiences, they must be seized upon. The future depends on what you do today.

S.DAWSON 28/02/14

Geraldine McMenamy, mother of man who brutally beat his partner, stands trial for impeding the course of justice.

2014-02-26T09:36:00.003-08:00

Geraldine McMenamy, mother of Paul McMenamy.

Judge Patricia Ryan presided over the trial of Geraldine McMenamy who faces six separate charges relating to the assault of her son’s girlfriend.

The trial took place in court seven of the CCJ on the 25^th of February 2014.

The accused son, Paul McMenamy is serving a six year sentence for the serious assault of his then girlfriend, Nicola Murray.

Paul McMenamy (28) of Donomore Green pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to care worker Nicola Murray at Reuben Walk, Rialto on the 5^th of February 2012. His previous convictions include assaults on two former girlfriends in 2005 and 2008.

Nicola left her three children in the care of babysitter Amy Dunbell, who was the first witness called to give evidence today, before leaving the house on Saturday the 5^th of February 2012 with her partner Paul McMenamy.

The pair went to The Bird Flanagan pub on the night. Maurice McCabe, a barman on the pub, gave evidence today and said Nicola was drinking vodka and red bull for the night and she was “gargled drunk” at the end of the night.

: Nicola Murray, mother of three, who was left comatose after a brutal beating from Paul McMenamy.

Mr McCabe, who is also a childhood friend of Nicola Murray, said they left the premises at 1:45am. They arrived home shortly after 2.20am and let the babysitter go.

A neighbour, Ellen Geary, who was called to the stand to give evidence today said she was awoken by her child in the early hours of Sunday 6^th of February 2012 and she claimed to have heard “unusual banging” coming from the house next door, 37 Reuben Walk, belonging to Nicola Murray.

Paul McMenamy told his mother Geraldine that Nicola Murray “went wild and ran amok with vodka” and she came at him with a knife which was found under the bed. He attributed the head injuries sustained to when she accidentally “whacked her head off the bed.”

: Paul McMenamy, now serving six years for the assault of his ex-girlfriend Nicola Murray. His mother now stands trial.

Paul made ten phone calls to a friend of Nicola’s, Rachel Carney. Ms Carney openly wept in court as she gave evidence to the court. Rachel Carney noted that Nicola was lying in her bed unconscious with bruised eyes and swelling on the left side of her head and ear. She said Nicola “was unrecognisable at first.”

Rachel arrived at the house and Geraldine McMenamy was already in the bedroom with Paul McMenamy. Rachel was distraught as she said “in hindsight I should have called an ambulance but Paul convinced me it was ok”.

Geraldine is charged with: washing the bloody eye of Nicola Murray with the intention to impede the arrest of Paul McMenamy, changing the clothes of Nicola Murray with the intention to impede the arrest of Paul McMenamy, washing the body of Nicola Murray after she soiled herself with the intention to impede the arrest of Paul McMenamy, providing a cash amount to Paul McMenamy to leave the country the night of February 5 2012 with the intention to impede the arrest of Paul McMenamy, providing carriage in a vehicle for Paul McMenamy to Dublin Airport on the night of February 5 2012 with the intention to impede the arrest of Paul McMenamy, painting the bedroom wall of Nicola Murray’s bedroom with the intention to impede the arrest of Paul McMenamy.

Geraldine McMenamy pleaded not guilty to all six charges.

The jury of seven males and five females were asked to withdraw to their chambers on six separate occasions today as Mr Condon, S.C. for Geraldine McMenamy, made an application for Mr Clarke S.C for the D.P.P misleading the jury with ambiguous questions aimed at witness, Colette Gaffney, an aunt of Nicola Murray who arrived at the house Sunday afternoon.

Nicola’s unconscious body was not removed from the house until Sunday afternoon. She was later transferred to St James Hospital for three weeks before spending a six week period in BeaumontHospital. On her release from hospital she spent time in National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire.

Photographs of the crime scene were presented by Garda Daniel McCarthy of Donnybrook Garda Station as the trial came to a close on day one.

S.DAWSON 26/02/14

Magnificent Mossy inspires St Vincents to All Ireland Club Championship final

2014-02-18T07:57:00.001-08:00

St Vincents 2-14 : Ballinderry 1-13

St Vincents maestro, Tomas Quinn.

Tommy Conroy’s St Vincents travelled to Pairc Esler, county Down, last Saturday with

Ulster

champions, Ballinderry standing in their way of obtaining a place in this year's All Ireland Club Championship final.

Earlier that day, Castlebar Mitchels overcame the challenge of Dr Crokes to pencil in a St Patrick’s Day final in Croke Park.

Vinnie’s former Dublin star, Tomas ‘Mossy’ Quinn, was again the star man for the Dublin side. He kicked 1-08 in what was another near perfect performance for the 32 year old.

Mossy has been described as a ‘Benjamin Button’ type character by team-mate Eamon Fennell. And after seeing his display on Saturday, it’s hard to argue with that summation.

St Vincents looked comfortable throughout the game, racing into a 2-02 : 0-02 lead within the first ten minutes. Both goals involved the St Vincents playmaker.

His first goal was breathtaking. Half-back, Michael Concarr, went on a marauding run through the Ballinderry defence before passing the ball off to Quinn.

Mossy, with his back to the goal, swivelled and in one motion forcefully placed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.

The second Vinnies goal came from full forward Ciaran Dorney. Mossy dissected the defence with a perfectly timed through-ball and Dorney coolly dispatched his shot past the despairing dive of Michael Conlon, the Ballinderry ‘keeper.

St Vincents had to organise without their inter-country star, and captain, Ger Brennan who wasn’t fit to return from minor surgery on his leg that he received just after Christmas.

Ballinderry had managed to keep Vinnies other Dublin star, Diarmuid Connolly, quiet for the first half but it was Quinn who kicked the Marino men into a 2-04 : 0-09 lead at the halftime break.

St Vincents and Ballinderry players fight for possession in the All Ireland Club Championship semi-final.

Ballinderry pulled a goal back in the second half thanks to Daniel McKinless. But with Connolly scoring three exquisitely taken points, St Vincents never looked overly nervous.

St Vincents second half lead never went under two points as the bookies favourites proved their worth.

However, it was an efficient and driven display from St Vincents in front of 4,331 spectators. When Vinnies play at their best, it is hard to see what tactical game-plan can stop them.

Mossy Quinn has been an enigma in his rejuvenation in club form since his retirement from inter-county football in 2012.

St Vincents will look to replicate the same result which saw them crowned All Ireland Club champions in 2008, with Mossy Quinn as captain.

Mossy will know he may not have many more opportunities at gaining silverware as he nears the end of a decorated career. St Vincents will want to repay the stunning displays Quinn has shown throughout their campaign this season. March 17^th at GAA headquarters is sure to be an emotional day for Quinn and his Marino colleagues.

St Vincents: M. Savage; K. Bonnie, J. Curley, H. Gill; C. Diamond, B. Egan, M. Concarr; D. Murphy, E. Fennell; G. Burke (0-01), T. Diamond, S. Carthy (0-01); D. Connolly (0-03), C. Dorney (1-01), T. Quinn (1-08, 0-05 f, 0-01 '45).

Subs used: K. Golden for T. Diamond (58 mins), N. Mullins for S. Carthy (60 mins), A. Baxter for C. Dorney (61 mins).

Ballinderry: M. Conlan; G. McKinless, C. Nevin, K. McGuckin; R. Wilson (0-01), D. Lawn, R. Scott; E. Muldoon, J. Conway (0-01); C. Devlin (0-05, 0-01 f), M. McIver, D. McGuckin; D. McKinless (1-00), R. Bell (0-02), C. Gilligan (0-02, 0-01 f).

Subs used: A. Devlin (0-02) for R. Scott (15 mins), M. Harney for M. McIver (42).

Referee: Marty Duffy (Sligo) Attendance: 4,331

S.DAWSON 17/02/14

Justice for the Stardust 48

2014-02-14T12:52:00.003-08:00

St Valentine’s Day or, simply, February 14^th. It’s all a matter of opinion. However, February 14^th resonates deep in the souls of many Dubliners for much more darker reasons.

“I was a Flower of the mountain yes when I put the rose in my hair like the Andalusian girls used or shall I wear a red yes and how he kissed me under the Moorish wall and I thought well as well him as another and then I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.” – James Joyce.

The literary genius that is James Joyce evokes many emotions among beloved friends, family members, and intimate couples. The above extract was taken from one of Joyce’s most famous pieces, Ulysses. The romance intertwined with evocative imagery summarises what St Valentine’s Day should be about. But many Dubliners cannot come to terms with positive emotions on a day which is, traditionally, aimed at evoking love in your community.

On February 14^th 1981, tragedy struck the Stardust nightclub in Artane, Dublin.

A fire took the lives of 48 revellers as they celebrated their innocent love. Over 200 more people sustained injuries from the fire that engulfed the nightclub which was packed with over 800 patrons. Officially, the exact cause of the blase is still unknown.

The remains of the inside of the Stardust nightclub after the fire which took the lives of 48 patrons.

The fire was originally noticed in the seating area of the Stardust before spreading around the nightclub, engulfing the building in unbearable smoke and flames. The burning inferno was plunged into darkness when the lighting failed. Panic spread throughout as the young attendees attempted to breakthrough fire exists which were padlocked shut. There was no emergency lighting or advice; It was hell on earth.

Yet, 35 years later, the families of the victims still seek justice.

Christy Moore, one of Ireland's greatest musicians, wrote an emotional ballad about the tragic event, entitled: 'They Never Came Home.'

The original investigation noted that arson was the cause of the fire, and the owners of the premises were handsomely compensated to the amount which would be the equivalent of €761,000 today. The families who lost relatives in the fire have not received a single cent to date.

However, thanks to relentless campaigning from the Stardust Victims Committee, Gardai agreed to launch an investigation into the previous findings. Gardai investigated the two previous inquiries, namely, The 1981 Keane Tribunal and the 2009 Coffey Tribunal. Yet many questions are still unanswered.

The Victims Committee claim to have new evidence which shows perjury was committed in both the Keane and Coffey reviews. The committee have had fire expert, Robin Knox, working diligently alongside the families of victims as they seek answers and demand justice.

Whether or not the campaign will ultimately prove to be successful, it aims to garner enough public attention to the plight of the victim's families who, 35 years later, still mourn the tragic death of their loved ones. It is possible a cover up on behalf of previous investigations may come to light. This is the equivalent to England suffering the Hillsborough tragedy. This is Ireland’s shame. Without answers, the 48 children who attended the Stardust that night and lost their lives will have died with no explanation as to why the fire started.

On a day when love is the underlying theme of many people’s February 14^th, we must appreciate the heartache, suffering, and devastation of the families of the 48 victims who never came home.

Has Sky Sports killed the League of Ireland?

2014-02-10T10:48:00.000-08:00

It seems that only English football can lift Irish fans spirits at present. No longer is a Dublin derby between Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers a rivalry sufficient enough to grab people’s attention. The world has changed; society has changed with it and people’s horizons are being broadened all the time. The English Premier League, through Sky, is doing this.

The link has been broken, and a youngster’s aspiration of playing for Shamrock Rovers or Shelbourne invariably means that he won’t get to play for Ireland. If you want to represent your country, you have to go beyond the League of Ireland and play for English clubs. No longer is the League of Ireland a point to aim for: players have to seek farther and go higher and, in the process, the nails are being hammered into the coffin of the League by Sky.

Kids growing up playing football want to make it on the big stage. That big stage isn’t Tolka Park or Dalymount, it’s Anfield or Old Trafford. Every weekend we see these colossal stadia across England, packed to the rafters, illuminated with the shine of decadence and football riches. This is the lifestyle we dream of. It is no longer seen as an achievement to play at local grounds where you can almost hear what people are saying in the surrounding decrepit stands.

Sky’s coverage is second to none. This, however, affects everyone’s mindset of football in Ireland. The FAI power brokers, who run the league, are losing control of themselves. The League’s job is to manage the League and develop that League. It is to develop association football within that League. It is not to develop association football overall. The League of Ireland will never have the financial capacity to compete with the glamour and glitz of the English Premier League. It must be advertised in a different manner.

The FAI must realise that Sky is maintaining dominance of football in Ireland by broadcasting a foreign league. It is too late for blind ignorance of that fact. This has brought about the change to switch to a summer season so the league fixtures would not clash with the majority of the English Premier League matches.

This may be seen as defeatist, but it is evidential now that the English Premier League has a stranglehold on the majority of football fans in the country. The League’s continued existence is something of a miracle. There is no tangible connection between the League of Ireland and the casual football fan anymore. No matter what the League does, Sky has the money, power, and most importantly the control over the casual football fan in Ireland.

The FAI are more concerned with securing broadcasting rights for the National team’s fixtures on Sky, rather than improving the coverage of the League of Ireland. This is a result of the influence Sky has on football broadcasting in Ireland. No matter what the League of Ireland do, they are still left out in the cold away from the warmth of the insular FAI in Abbotstown.

Daire Whelan, an Irish sports journalist comments that: “Broadcast rights to sporting events are spiralling out of control: 1992 was the year Rupert Murdoch’s Sky Sports took over the Premiership for £305 million, and within a decade broadcast rights to these games had soared to a value of £1 billion. Sports markets are following a trend set in the United States, where the rights to the NFL, NBA, and MLB, are on an upward scale in the billions, while at events such as the SuperBowl advertisers could be charged as much as $2 million for a thirty-second commercial slot.” It’s extortion.

Brian Moore, an English sports journalist, argues that point by saying that: “as Sky has no control over the administration of football, it is innocent. Strictly speaking that is true, but the effects flow from Sky's actions and they have to shoulder some responsibility, however indirectly. You cannot claim to have saved football and deny the inconvenient consequences.”

If Sky succeeds in its quest to deregulate sports broadcasting it will effectively become a monopoly broadcaster because of its financial position. The BBC cannot increase its bidding power and the failure of ITV Digital and Setanta shows that any other broadcaster would need billions of pounds to challenge Sky. Even so, it would be naive in the extreme to believe that Sky would not increase the cost of sports viewing further.

But the high cost of viewing the English Premier League on Sky rather than paying the most affordable admission fee of €15 is still preferred option of most football fans in Ireland. Sky has worked hard on presentation to satisfy the armchair supporter by including in its innovative coverage varied camera angles and intricate replay techniques that provide their audience with views that are not available to most in the stadium. For most, the choice of the English Premier League on Sky or attending a live League of Ireland match is a no-brainer.

The 'Dublin Dons' idea was not welcomed by fans of the League of Ireland.

Another aspect of how influential Sky’s coverage of football in

Ireland

was seen in the proposed creation of the ‘Dublin Dons’. The then Wimbledon football club owner, Sam Hamann, was looking into the possibility of relocating his team to Dublin. A proposition which was most ambitious.

The public face of the campaign in Ireland was Eamon Dunphy. Dunphy was leading the charge to bring an English football team to Dublin to play against other Premiership teams. This shows how much of an influence the English Premier League has had on the lives of Irish sports fans. However, to the defiant League of Ireland fans this was the final straw.

Without Sky and the English Premier League, League of Ireland stadia would, naturally, be overflowing with supporters. The very thought of allowing an English football team to be based in Ireland, where the home league was struggling to survive, was unfathomable.

The plans for the Dublin Dons ran as follows. The £100 million project would provide for: the building of a 50,000 all-seater stadium at Neilstown; Clondalkin, the provision of road and rail links to the stadium; the installation of all safety and security features, such as surveillance cameras, etc. Wimbledon claimed to have the backing of 18 out of the 22 League of Ireland clubs, but no evidence of this is available.

In 1997, Pat Dolan wrote in the Sunday Tribune that: “The game of football is the most popular globally, purely because it transcends social background, sex, colour, creed, age, or nationality. People, supporters, are the integral fabric of football. If advocates of this scheme put commercial gains ahead of people and supporters, what is the future for football?”

It seems, thanks to Sky, the future of football in

Ireland

is supporting the English Premier League and turning our back on the homely traditions of the League of Ireland. However, glamour is a perception, the reality is something different.

People in

Ireland

are naive about what the professional game in

England

entails, how hard it is to go over there and survive. That’s why a strong League of Ireland is needed. The League of Ireland is viewed by many footballers as a safety net if they do not make it in

England

. Therein lays the problem. Like a blanket to a child, Sky will be omnipresent in the lives of football fans in

Ireland

, and there is a certain soothing comfort in that.

S.DAWSON 10/02/14

Penney finally drops for Munster

2014-02-07T06:11:00.003-08:00

Rob Penney, current Munster head coach.

After much disconcertion within the Munster camp over Rob Penney’s tactical game-plan this season, the New Zealander will leave his role as head coach of the Irish province at the end of this season.

Penney joined Munster, along with fellow Kiwi Simon Mannix as backs coach, in 2012. He signed a two year deal with the option of a third year depending on the success of his tenure at the club.

Munster reverted from their historical reliance on their pack to bully other teams into submission and attempted to install a free-flowing passing style of play, under the leadership of Rob Penney.

Although Penney has had to bear the brunt of much criticism during his time with Munster, he has been quite successful during his two year stint.

In his first year as coach, Munster reached the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup and finished a respectable sixth in the Pro12 Celtic League.

This season Munster have further developed under the Kiwi coach. They have only lost three of their 18 matches all year and are due to play in the quarter final of the Heineken Cup against Toulouse, in Thomond Park on April 5^th.

Penney will see out the rest of the season in which he hopes to see Munster achieve Heineken Cup success for the first time since 2008. However, he has confirmed that he will not sign a contract extension which would have taken him into his third year with the Province.

It is not clear why Penney has declined the contract extension, but, according to a statement released by Munster: “Rob [Penney] has attracted the interest of an unnamed club that has offered him terms that are in line with Rob’s long-term needs.”

Penney has a child currently studying at university in his native New Zealand. He has two younger children who will soon be graduating to university too. This may have been a big influence on his career move.

Penney has said that: “I am disappointed to be leaving Munster as I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. I have to take this opportunity presented to me and prioritise my family and personal circumstances at this time.”

No announcement has been made on who will succeed Penney as head coach of Munster. However, Anthony Foley, current forwards coach with the Province, is strong favourite. The former Munster back-row forward has been hugely influential during his coaching role.

Is the time right for current forwards coach, Anthony Foley, to become head coach of Munster?

Another former Munster player, Mike Prendergast, has recently begun his coaching career in

France

with Grenoble. Likewise, Ronan O’Gara is in the early of stages of his coaching career with Racing Metro in

France

also. The opportunity of Munster head coach may have come a little too early for the former Munster stalwarts.

Unless Munster look to bring in a foreign coach once more, it looks like the job is guaranteed to be Anthony Foley’s. Given the fact Penney’s tactics were not wholly welcomed by the Munster faithful, this will benefit Limerick native, Anthony Foley, who has been associated with Munster throughout his career.

S.DAWSON 07/02/14

Racing Santander refuse to play due to unpaid wages

2014-01-31T08:42:00.001-08:00

Racing Santander captain Mario Fernandez informs referee Gil Manzano his team will not be competing.

I’m shocked and surprised at the faux pas outrage and solidarity shown by many Irish football fans across social media in light of the actions of Racing Santander’s squad last night.

The third-tier Spanish side were due to play in their Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg fixture against Real Sociedad , last night. However, the players formed a semi-circle, arms linked in unity, at the centre circle of the pitch as soon as the referee, Gil Manzano, blew his whistle to commence the match.

The protest stems from a dispute between players and the club’s president Angel Larvin over unpaid wages. Racing Santander have fallen on hard times after two consecutive relegations, the club now faces it’s most challenging battle as they are currently in administration.

As Chris Hughton, current Norwich City manager, once said: “relegation is a fate much worse than death”. And this can be applied to the Racing Santander situation, in its most drastic form.

The squad gave forewarning of their protest at the start of the week, stating that they would refuse to play the match if president Lavin and the rest of the board didn’t resign.

A semi-final encounter against a highly acclaimed Barcelona side was on offer if they overcame their difficulties, both on and off the pitch. However, this was never a realistic option.

Racing Santander were trailing 3-1 from the first leg of the quarter-final. The second-leg was a peculiar scene in modern football awash with money. After Real Sociedad had a short spell of possession, unchallenged, the Racing Santander captain Mario Fernandez informed the officials that his side would no longer partake in the match.

The players are facing immense financial struggles. Their club captain is currently living at the clubs training ground as he cannot afford the upkeep of his house.

Racing Santander players leave the field of play.

Luis Rubiales, head of the Association of Spanish Footballers, met the Racing players and coaching staff in Santander on Thursday, and said they had the "complete backing" of his union.

It is expected that all football bodies in Spain and abroad will support the plight of the players. Although, the general outcry from armchair pundits at home in Ireland is baffling.

Complaints are coming from the same people who digest football purely provided to them by British broadcasting companies such as Sky or BT Sports. They cannot claim to have a loyalty to foreign teams in

Britain.

They turn their back on the indigenous league in

Ireland

. They let local players suffer the same fate as these Spanish sportsmen.

Why? Because it’s much more convenient conveying dismay at the state of the game while sitting in the comfort of their home watching over-hyped and over-commercialised football from the English Premier League.

If true fans of football really want the financial woes to be eradicated, the mindset must be changed from the ground level. Support your local team. Let football thrive in your own city.

If all football fans were to adopt this lifestyle, football would return to its roots. We need to stop looking at football as a business, and return to looking at it as a sport.

S.DAWSON 31/01/14

2013 All Ireland Senior Football Championship review

2013-12-16T08:01:00.000-08:00

Glory for Jim Gavin's Dublin.

I remember watching Jim Gavin strut into Parnell Park for his first press conference when he was being unveiled as Dublin senior football manager at the start of the season. He looked calm, determined, and confident. It was the same humble look Gavin had when he watched the Dublin captain Stephen Cluxton lift the Sam Maguire trophy at the end of the Championship. Gavin has instilled a quietly relentless winning ethos into this Dublin panel. And it paid dividends.

Dublin were crowned both League and Championship winners this season. Dublin overcame Tyrone by a single point at the end of April to secure the Division 1 League title. And it was the same winning margin when they beat Mayo by 2-12 to 1-14 at the end of September to ensure Sam Maguire was staying in the capital. The football final wasn’t the most exciting of games but it was an All Ireland final that saw the two best teams of the summer competing. It was also a final played by two teams who endorse an expansive, skilful style of play.

This season saw Joe Brolly condemn Sean Cavanagh’s manhood after a cynical performance which has plagued Tyrone under the leadership of Mickey Harte. The GAA has had to endure a lot of negative press over widening gaps in quality between teams and over negative styles of play creeping into the game. Let’s not forget the tactics of Jim McGuinness and his Donegal team. But perhaps a new strategy is needed after Mayo dismantled his Donegal outfit by 16 points in an All Ireland quarter final. Dublin brought a breath of fresh air to the football Championship through Jim Gavin’s game plan.

Gavin inherited a talented panel of players whose foundation had been put in place by Pat Gilroy. However, Gavin blended experience with youth perfectly. Gavin worked with many of the rising stars of Dublin GAA during his tenure as under 21 manager. Paul Mannion, Jack McCaffrey, and Ciaran Kilkenny looked like seasoned veterans for Dublin throughout their campaign. Mannion and McCaffrey were both nominated for Young Player of the Year with the Clontarf man, Jack McCaffrey, collecting the accolade.

Dublin’s solid central line of Stephen Cluxton, Rory O’Carroll, Cian O’Sullivan, Michael Darragh MacAuley, Paul Flynn, and Bernard Brogan all picked up All Star awards thanks to a successful season with the Dubs. Midfielder Michael Darragh MacAuley picked up the Player of the Year award due to a outstanding season.

It was heartbreak in the final for a second year for Mayo, having lost to Donegal in 2012. It’s now 63 years since Mayo have achieved All Ireland glory. Dublin’s dominance has the potential to develop into a mini-dynasty if nurtured in the correct manner by the meticulous Jim Gavin and his coaching staff.

Aside from Dublin bossing the All Ireland, the big story of the early part of the Championship went to London GAA. Paul Coggins, London manager, managed to transform a bunch of limited footballers into a competitive side who reached the Connacht final. Their semi-final victory against Leitrim was one of the highlights of the season, winning by a single point in a 2-11 to 1-13 victory. London’s campaign highlighted the seldom positives emigration has in the world of GAA

Lorcan Mulvey evades the Leitrim defence and is the first London player to be nominated for an All Star award.

My abiding memory of the Championship this year is undoubtedly the All Ireland semi-final between Dublin and Kerry. Legendary broadcaster, Michael O’Muircheartaigh, claimed it was the best game he has witnessed since 1948. Games between these two football hotbeds have been historical landmarks in the world of the GAA.

It seemed fitting that in a year where we lost one of the most iconic figures in the GAA, Dublin’s own Kevin Heffernan, that a match of this magnitude between these two counties occurred. ‘Heffo’ was described as having an “incalculable impact on Gaelic games” by GAA president Liam O’Neill.

Kevin McManamon scores a late goal to secure All

Ireland

glory for Dublin.

It was two teams playing football the way it should be played. The 3-18 to 3-11 scoreline flattered the Dubs who blitzed Kerry with a late 2-02 orchestrated by super-sub Kevin McManamon, just like in 2011. Modern greats of football all played their roles. The O’Se brothers, Maher, and Cooper for Kerry and Cluxton, Brogan, and Connolly for Dublin.

It was as good as any Dublin vs Kerry match gets. Two traditional rivals battling it out in a gripping encounter. For all the history that this fixture possesses Dublin triumphed in a match which was retro, yet absolutely modern.

S.DAWSON 16/12/13

2013 All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship review

2013-11-27T09:33:00.000-08:00

Before a sliotar was pucked in this years All Ireland hurling championship, many thought it was a two horse race between Kilkenny and Tipperary. Indeed this frame of thought was further backed up when Kilkenny overcame their local rivals Tipperary in the league final by three points, on a scoreline of 2-17 to 0-20. Beaten league semi-finalists Dublin and Galway were expected to be competing with the favourites at the business end of the Championship. Subsequently, the foundations were set for another predictable year for hurling fanatics across the country.

The season unfurled with Dublin and Wexford playing out a dull draw, with the Dubs coming out on top in the replay. Next up for Anthony Daly’s men was a trip to Portlaoise to battle against Kilkenny under the leadership of Brian Cody, in his 15^th year of inter-county management. Surprisingly Dublin managed to hold Kilkenny to a draw in the Leinster semi-final and a replay was due to be held the following week at the same venue.

Many thought Dublin’s chances had evaporated and Kilkenny would see off the resilient Dubs at a second chance. You just don’t get two chances to beat Kilkenny. However, Dublin succeeded in beating the Cats for the first time in 71 years by 1-16 to 0-16 in an enthralling game of hurling. Liam Rushe put in a man of the match shift in what was the greatest performance by any Dublin player I have witnessed in the blue and navy jersey.

Galway comfortably saw off the challenge of Laois to meet the Dubs in the Leinster final. Dublin’s odds were fast becoming shorter for All Ireland glory after their historic victory against Kilkenny. They overcame the challenge of Galway by 12 points securing their first Leinster title in 52 years with an emphatic victory.

Surprise results were not only found in Leinster. Just like Kilkenny toppling to lesser opposition, start of season favourites Tipperary were defeated in the Munster semi-final by a well-drilled Limerick side, on a scoreline of 1-18 to 1-15. In the quarter final of the competition Clare, under the management of the enigmatic Davy Fitzgerald in his second year as manager of his native county, overcame Waterford, Fitzgerald’s previous location in inter-county management.

Cork went on to comprehensively beat Clare in the Munster semi-final by eight points. But this was not the last time these teams would meet. In front of a partisan crowd in the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick claimed their first Munster title in 17 years after beating favourites Cork, by 0-24 to 0-15.

The qualifiers were coming to the later stages and Kilkenny and Tipperary were drawn together in an encounter many hurling purists were envisaging as a bigger match then both provincial finals. Nowlan Park was the venue and the stage was set for Henry Shefflin to make an eagerly awaited return from injury. The ‘King’ made a late cameo appearance and was greeted with a chilling roar as he entered the field of play to help the Cats see out a three point victory.

The atmosphere of a Kilkenny vs Tipperary match is something all Irish sports fans must experience at least once in their lifetime. It’s often difficult for those of us living in the metropolis of Dublin to understand the colloquial rivalries of these two hurling strongholds. Even chatting to Kilkenny fans as I left O’Moore Park in Portlaoise after a Dublin victory, they weren’t overly disenchanted. Why? Because they had a crack at the Premier county, Tipperary.

In the other qualifiers Waterford and Clare were quietly and efficiently seeing off the respective challenges of Westmeath and Laois. A Wexford side, which brought Dublin to a replay in the early stages of Leinster, saw off a poor Carlow team before being comprehensively beaten by Clare by ten points in stage three of the qualifiers. Clare showed no remorse in extra time stepping up a gear to see off the challenge of Wexford.

With Tipperary bowing out in the earlier qualifying round and Kilkenny not at their expected best, some savvy punters were keeping a close eye on Davy Fitzgerald’s young Clare team. The Clare vs Wexford game preceded another gripping encounter which needed extra time to separate the teams. An ageing Kilkenny side saw off a plucky Waterford team by three points on a scoreline of 1-22 to 2-16.

An extremely exciting hurling championship came to its quarter final stage in the last weekend of July. It was Cork vs Kilkenny and Galway vs Clare in a double header played out in what many perceive to be the home of hurling, Semple Stadium in Thurles. Cork saw off the challenge of Kilkenny by five points. Henry Shefflin saw red in what was a very harsh decision in the eyes of many neutrals. There was an eerie atmosphere that this result signalled an end of an era for Kilkenny hurling.

Although a plethora of injuries in 2013 didn’t help the cause, it would be an almighty shame if Shefflin was to bow out of inter-county hurling in such circumstances. However, Cody was ratified as Kilkenny manager for their 2014 campaign. Only time will tell if Cody can bring future success to a team who know they underperformed this season.

Clare continued their winning streak by beating Galway 1-23 to 2-14. Many questioned Davy Fitzgerald’s tactical nous coming into the hurling championship but critics were silenced when Clare employed a sweeper system which quelled the attacking threat of Joe Canning for Galway. The hurling championship which kept churning out epic encounters had Dublin vs Cork and Limerick vs Clare as the semi-final fixtures, as these underdog counties came to the fore at the end of the hurling campaign.

Dublin and Cork played out one of the games of the year which the Rebels won by 1-24 to 1-19. The scoreline certainly doesn’t reflect how close the game was. The sides were level an astonishing 15 times throughout the 70 minutes. Ryan O’Dwyer’s sending off and a goal scored by Pat Horgan, who had a red card rescinded so he could partake in the match, proved to be the pivotal moments of the game. Many were tipping Dublin for an All Ireland double in both codes of the game, but Cork’s victory now made them strong favourites for All Ireland hurling glory.

In the other semi-final Clare beat Munster champions Limerick, 1-22 to 0-18. It was undeniable that Davy Fitzgerald was doing a magnificent job in transporting the success of a young under 21 Clare team into a promising senior side who could put it up to any side on their day. Davy Fitzgerald had managed to bring this Clare side to an All Ireland final in only his second year of managing them. The Banner county were on the precipice of claiming their fourth All Ireland title. All that stood in the way was Cork.

Clare and Cork already met on three separate occasions throughout the year. Clare got the better of their Munster neighbours both times during their league campaign, including a high scoring relegation play-off in the Gaelic Grounds. Clare were victorious on a scoreline of 0-31 to 2-23. However, almost three months later in the same venue Cork won by eight points in the Championship. There wasn’t much between these two teams as they faced into their September showdown, after being ranked as outsiders at the beginning of the All Ireland Championship.

The All Ireland final would eventually go to a replay thanks to a late point from young corner back, Domhnall O’Donovan, with the last puck of the game. Cork must have seen this as a missed opportunity in a match which was far from a classic. What unfolded in the replay could not have been scripted. An enthralling game from start to finish. A late call up to the starting 15 was young corner forward Shane O’Donnell, who put in the individual performance of the year with his early hat-trick.

Clare defend their goalmouth in large numbers in the All Ireland final

Both teams started the game with such ferocity, one would think the game would have a lull. It didn’t. Cork showed great fight in coming back from an eight point deficit in the first half but late goals from Conor McGrath and Darach Honan sealed a famous victory for the Banner county. Clare eventually came out on top by 5-16 to 3-16. Davy Fitzgerald had constantly referred to his Clare side as the “little fish” and it was his school of young hurlers who brought the Liam McCarthy cup home to Clare.

It was no surprise that Clare dominated the All Star team with eight representatives. Tony Kelly also made history in becoming the first hurler to receive the Young Hurler of the Year award and Hurler of the Year award in the same season. Credit must be given to Jimmy Barry Murphy for bringing an unfancied Cork so far in the Championship. It was a refreshing year for hurling with the big two of Kilkenny and Tipperary bowing out before the semi-final stage.

This young Clare side will be the ones to beat next year as they look to retain their title. A resurgent Dublin and a Kilkenny side who will still be feeling the pain of defeat, will be chomping at the bit to topple Davy Fitzgerald’s men in what is sure to be another frantic and entertaining All Ireland hurling Championship.

S.DAWSON 27/11/13