Dublin U16 Div 1 Hurling
St Jude’s 3-15
Clontarf 0-11
NEAR the clubhouse, there is a bench honoring the fond memory of the famous Clontarf man, Bill Perryman. It read: ‘Come sit and watch with me.’
There is so much to see in this beautiful paradise. St Anne’s Park, a city gem. They love their sport in these sections.
Down the street, Clontarf is playing Terenure in Division 1A of the All-Ireland Rugby League. All proceeds from the game will go to Ukraine.
The sun has gone out, and there is a spring on the field. Sliotar’s favorite time of year.
Saturday is a big day for these Clontarf U-16 hurdlers. It was their first time playing in the top league.
“Play fair with them. They have put up a good fight, and this performance will give them confidence going forward,” noted advisor Brendan Sheppard.
Brendan’s words were echoed by St Jude’s manager, Seán McCarthy.
Sean said: “Clontarf came from Division 2, and I think they acquitted me very well.
“They gave us a good test. This is the first game of the season. We won, but we know we have a lot of work to do.”
Colm McCarthy is the referee. From the famous referee family. It’s the most athletic competition throughout.
It was close enough in the first half. That’s when the home team is at its best. But in the second stage, Jude begins to come into the distance.
They were helped by John Mooney’s wonderful free will. Time and time again, he found the bag.
Templeogue centre-back, Eoghan Costello, is reassuring. He commands everything he does. He attacked some powerful shinobi.
With him is Eoin Leen, a jewel of the left-back. He made a few blocks of brilliance. Brave and perfectly timed.
In the second half, he made an excellent save before delivering a quick, precise pass to put Jude in their lane again.
One of the most impressive points in the away team’s play is their aerial ability. So they often go to the clouds to get the ball from the beam.
St Jude’s: (Front) Fionn O’Riordan, Aaron Flavin, Ewan Fahy, Charlie Danaher, Eoin Leen, Aaron Kerrigan, Sam Monaghan, Callum Graham, Jack McCarthy. Back: Eoghan Costello, Joe Moore, Tom Bassett, John Mooney, Paul Nolan, Matthew Gilleran, Darragh Moran, Sean Óg O’Kelly, Finn Doyle, Ben Kelly, Cormac Kelly. Photo: Damien Eagers
Early on, coming out to the left, Callum Graham, rose above the tree to embrace the flying saucer. Jude’s striker develops in the game. Fleet of legs, they do not need a second invitation to go the ball.
Home defense is busy, especially after tea. There is no better player on the pitch than Clontarf full-back Harry Digan. He showed his quality in the first minutes.
When the ball flew towards him, he slipped slightly but he quickly retracted his foot to create space and find teammates.
In the second half, he scored one of the points of the hour. And, in another prolific skill set, he somehow managed to find a place in a packed phone box before spreading the play with a smart, generous serve.
Harry had to keep a close eye on brilliant winger Finn Doyle, who made his first goal 16 minutes into the match. He found the ball hard on the right and then passed it back to Aaron Kerrigan to get it on. Jude took the lead for the first time, 1-3 to 0-4.
Clontarf: (Striker) Cian Hargaden, Patrick Ferguson, Dylan Conlan, Sam Joyce, Rory Owens, Conal Murphy, Paddy Magner, Donal Óg O’Geraghty, Senan Reid. Back: Harry Digan, Eoin McAndrew, Tiernan O’Brien, Senan Ryan, Padraig Murphy, Oscar Finnegan, Tom Higgins, Joe Sheppard, Tom Briody, Matthew Mason, Matthew Meehan. Photo: Damien Eagers
One of the most beautiful spots before time was scored by Senan Ryan of Clontarf. He contributed a lot, as did his quarterback partner Joe Sheppard, who also impressed from the ball being placed.
Midway through the second half, Jude scored for their second goal, scored by Jack McCarthy. The Tymon boys were in good control at that stage, leading 2-13 to 0-9.
And, four minutes later, the deft Graham was in position to lead the third goal. In the opening round, he hit a point peach. On a peach of a day.
Matchfile
Scorers – J Mooney 0-10 (6f), C Graham 1-2, J McCarthy 1-1, A Kerrigan 1-0, F Doyle, C Danaher 0-1 each.
CLONTARF: J Sheppard 0-4 (3f), S Ryan 0-3, S Joyce, H Digan, T Higgins, O Finnegan 0-1 each.
ST JUDE’S: S Óg O’Kelly; J Moore, B Kelly, A Flavin; T Bassett, E Costello, E Leen; J McCarthy, P Nolan; C Graham, A Kerrigan, J Mooney; D Moran, F Doyle, C Danaher. SUBS: M Gilleran, S Monaghan, E Fahy, C Kenny, F O’Riordan, K O’Riordan.
CLONTARF: P Murphy; D O’Keeffe, H Digan, M Meehan; T Briody, C Murphy, P Magner; J Sheppard, S Ryan; S Joyce, T Higgins, O Finnegan; D Og Geraghty, E McAndrew, R Owens. SUBS: M Mason, T O’Brien, C Hargaden, S Reid, D Conlon.
TEACHER – ST JUDE’S: S McCarthy, R Flavin, L Fahey.
CLONTARF: T O’Brien, D Joyce, S O’Sullivan, B Sheppard.
REFERENCE: C McCarthy (St Vincent’s).
WIDES – ST JUDE’S: 11 (4 + 7).
CLONTARF: 10 (7 + 3).
CONDITIONS: Very pleasant, sunny noon.
PLAYER PLAYER: Eoin Leen (St Jude’s).
https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/dublin-gaa/st-judes-goals-deny-battling-clontarf-in-u16-division-1-hurling-clash-41422456.html St Jude’s goals negated the game against Clontarf in the Under-16 Division 1 hurdles clash