It was Wednesday 23rd November as we boarded the bus for Clonmel to play in the U/13c Football County Final against the Gaelscoil, Clonmel. There was plenty of excitement and a few nerves in the dressing room before hand, we wanted to make our school and our coach, Mr. Mc Cullagh proud by taking home the Shield. The referee, Brian White blew the whistle at 12.30pm and the match took off at a very fast pace with Jack Fallon taking the Gaelscoil’s defence by surprise when he kicked the ball over the bar and registered a point in the 1st minute of the match. Daniel Ryan (1-1) and James Dillon (1-0) were the other scorers in the 1st half. The half time score was 2-2 to 0-1 in our favour with the wind at our back. Fuelled by oranges and jaffa cakes, we raced onto the field for the second half. Everything happened so fast and with the wind against us, the score changed to 2-3 to 1-2 with David O’ Donnel scoring a point and the Gaelscoil scoring a goal and a point. With the gap closing on us, we stepped it up a gear with James Dillon, Rory Darmody and Darren Flood all scoring goals and James Dillon finishing off the match with another 2 points. The final score was 5-4 to 1-3 and we had done it!! All our supporters erupted and spilled onto the field to congratulate the team and Mr. Mc Cullagh. The Gaelscoil, Clonmel put up a terrific fight and gave us a great match. The best players on the day for Gaelscoil were Ryan Lamb, Patrick Merchant and Jack O’ Donnel. Thanks to all the pupils, teachers and parents of Scoil Mochaomhog Naofa who made the journey to Clonmel to cheer on our team. Thanks also to Paddy Moore for his valuable coaching every Tuesday since September.
Our team was P.J Tunstall (Goalie, Cpt.) Michael Murphy, David Ryan (Full back line), Sean Mockler, Michael Maher (Half back line), Daniel Ryan, Mark Heffernan, Jack Fallon (midfield), David O Donnell, James Dillon(half forwards), Darren Flood, Rory Darmody(full forwards). Subs used: Diarmaid Maher, Conor Cummins, Sean O Meara, Declan Ryan, Brian Long. Bill Hackett, Maria Lanigan, Jessica Hayes, Evan Coughlan, Pat Hackett, Max Hackett, Noel Lyons, Joseph Dee, Steven Callinan.
Daniel Ryan
6th Class
Scoil Mochaomhog Naofa