|
|
Lotto |
|
|
| Teams | | | News | | | | Fixtures | | Coaching | | Referees
| | | Guest Book | | Contact Us | | | | Other | | | | | Web Portal | |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
Minor Hurling |
|
Mentors |
Training Time |
Match Venue |
|
Tom Ryan
Martin Rabbitte
Oliver Power
Joe Murphy
|
Wednesday 7.00pm
Collinstown
Friday 7.00pm
Johnstown Pk |
Sunday 11.00 am
Mobhí Rd. | |
|
2010
New Minor Management team has been appointed and training has now resumed over the past number of weeks. All Minor hurlers are training together and new players or players who might like to return to hurling are more than welcome. If you have any queries about training / games please contact Colm O Ceallachain on 086-1053459.
Heartiest congrats to Senior Hurlers on superb victory and promotion at the weekend ; it will be wonderful to watch the lads in action in Division 1 so well done to all involved from this years and last years panel of players and management.
All parents / guardians are invited to the club tomorrow night, Weds the 17th of February, at 9.30 in the Mobhi Suite. This is an opportuinity for all parents to get to know the new management team and will also feature an outline of the plan for the year. Cead Míle Fáilte to one and all.
____________________________
2009
(most recent match reports top - scroll down to read older ones. ) Squad list also below.......
Sunday, 6th Sept, 2009
Round 1, Minor A Championship
Na Fianna 2-12 St. Judes 2-11 .
At a brief stop over on their way to Croke Park, Galway Minors were up on the clubhouse balcony watching Na Fianna minors do battle against St.Judes. I think they left at half-time, when the score was 1-7, 1-8 in favour of the visitors and hence we can’t claim they were inspired by this example of the underdogs beating the favourites. (A few Tipp followers on the sidelines were hoping for the same result in the All-Ireland senior contest, but alas…..) Nevertheless, in spite of a terrible downpour of rain during the first half, both teams gave a great account of themselves, and the match was truly worhy of a game played on All-Ireland Sunday.
St. Judes came with a deserved strong reputation, and had in their side a player who had recently distinguished himself with the senior Dublin team. Many felt Na Fianna would do well to stay with them and be within a few points at the end. The visitors scored first before Robbie Routledge levelled and then Larry Bird put Na Fianna in front with a free. Judes equalised soon enough and the scoring continued ‘tit-for-tat’ for the next 10-15 minutes. Eoin Nichol restored our lead with a good score from play - Judes levelled again with a good point from play - Denis Ford gave Na Fianna the advantage again at 0-4, 0-3. However St Judes seem to go into another gear, and scored 3 points in succession. We then put a free wide of the posts and then Paul Downes missed a clear goal chance. For a while we looked to be really struggling against a determined onslaught by Judes – full marks for the backs in holding firm at this stage. Then a great break inspired by the ever-lively Robbie saw the sliothar slipped through to Downesy who more than made up for his earlier disappointment by flicking the ball into the back of the net. This spurred the visiting team back at Na Fianna and they scored another couple of points from play to restore their lead. Larry levelled the game with a free before Na Fianna were rocked back again by a goal from Judes. Determined to ease the deficit before the break, Na Fianna struck back with a point from Fergal Breathnach and another free from Larry to leave us trailing by the smallest margin at half time.
As with the first half, the opposition drew first blood after the restart whistle – but with greater effect as they put the ball in the back of the Na Fianna net. Would the home team’s heads go down ? Not a bit of it – they gave the perfect response – when a Billy Shanahan free from down the field was met perfectly by Paul Downes and he slammed the ball into the Judes’ goal. In case they hadn’t already realised it, they now knew they were in a match! Judes put another point over the bar having missed with a few wides – and Na Fianna’s wide count was beginning to stack up too. Our lads seemed to be going for goal each time when a few of these points would have evened the scoreline. Another goal chance was spurned and the resulting 65 was put wide. Supporters were muttering that they would gladly settle for a draw – especially following a goal attempt by Billy which was saved, followed by a couple more wides from frees. Nevertheless, after a sequence of both sides missing the target, Larry kept his cool and put another free between the posts. We were back to a one-point game! Judes then scored another fine point from play - Na Fianna put another free wide (this time from Eoin) – Denis Ford popped up again to reduce the margin – then Judes put a chance wide. Then Robbie scored a really massive point to draw us level once more and raise enormous cheers from the home support – could we do it ? No said Judes, as their star player put over yet another free. Yes, said Na Fianna, as Larry, one of the home side stars today, converted another free. It was 2-11 apiece as we reached the last couple of minutes – would we settle for a draw ? Nobody read that script to Denis as somehow he turned and twisted against two or three backs converging on him to score a lovely point over his shoulder in the 59th minute of play. Those last few minutes of extra time seemed to tick away very slowly as Judes put two final chances wide. Na Fianna had won their first round match and deservedly so, but credit is due to both sides who showed us how a good game of hurling should be played.
=====================================================================
Monday 22 June Na Fianna 2-7 St. Vincent’s 1-15
We couldn’t have had better conditions for hurling, - a beautiful, balmy evening, on an excellent playing surface on the main pitch at Mobhi Road. We knew we were up against it, as always against Vincent’s, and particularly as we were missing key players. Nevertheless this may have been true for our visitors too, so we’re not offering excuses early on here. We got off to a good start with Niall McGovern putting over a good point from play. This early advantage was soon cancelled out by a free to the opposition, followed all too quickly by another, and then another point from play and those on the sidelines began to think about a midsummer nightmare, rather than a dream. Our confidence was not helped by the early departure of Niall with an injury. But as we now know, this Na Fianna team are not for folding under pressure, and some resolute defending from the backs – with terrific displays notably from Sean Burke and Dara Fitzgerald – somehow we began to claw our way back into the match. Two successive frees taken by Larry Brady brought us level. Our neighbours from Marino were still winning a lot of the 50-50 balls and in spite of our efforts in defence and midfield we couldn’t get the play up to our forwards. Vincents struck over another free from play but then Larry, having an excellent first half, equalised again and then a fine point from Odhran O’Maoleidigh put Na Fianna in front for the second time in the match, against all the odds. Vincents converted another free before half time to leave it all square at the interval, 0-5 apiece.
If we anticipated an onslaught from St Vincent’s at the start of the second half, we were spot on. They came at Na Fianna with a vengeance – and although hitting a couple of wides, they soon tipped over a free and then a 65 to reassert their lead in the game. Never say die – Na Fianna put a long ball into the opposition goal mouth and it seemed to take a delicate clip from the stick of Conor McCarville and slide neatly into the net. (He is confidently claiming the goal and why not ?) However this seemed to spur on the opposition as much as it did Na Fianna and they soon had the home team under pressure again, resulting in a 65 which they converted, and a few minutes later, another free to restore their advantage. We were very much still in a match when Larry put over a free for Na Fianna, but this was to be the last score against Vincents for quite some time. The visitors took over the game, scoring no less than 6 points and a goal in-between without reply and with about 5 minutes left Na Fianna were trailing by 9 points. Na Fianna had the last word in terms of the action, when Eoin Nichol put over a point and Billy Shanahan blasted a free into the net (this is becoming a trademark for him) but this was consolation scores only and put a little respectability onto the overall result. A valiant effort but no success this time against a stronger team on the day.
======================================================================
Sunday 17 May St Judes 1-15 Na Fianna 2-8
Another gallant performance but no reward for Na Fianna on this visit to Templeogue. It was a case of battling ‘up hill’ (literally in the first half) for most of the game, although the visitors were the first to score (a point from Niall McGovern) this was the last time we would have any advantage in this contest. Behind at half time 1-8 to 0-5 points (with further points from Paul Downes, Feargal Breathnach and two frees from Eoin Nichol) did not show a fair reflection on their efforts. However an indication of their never-say-die attitude was provided after the turn around when further points from Odhran O’Maoleidigh, Eoin, Feargal and a goal apiece from Zac Lennon and Conor McCarville at least meant Na Fianna could claim to have won the second half. The home side unfortunately had enough quality to ensure that they kept their lead intact, tipping over 7 points in the second half and confirming their victory. Better luck next time Na Fianna.
======================================================================
Wednesday 13 May Erin's Isle 1-16 Na Fianna 4-6.
Yes the match was a tightly contested as the scoreline suggests, with Na Fianna going down by just one late point from Erin's Isle. On a drizzly wet evening in Finglas, and without a number of players who would normally have togged out for Na Fianna - but with our squad bolstered by a number of U-16s drafted in to help out - supporters braving the elements were treated to a gutsy performance from our lads. A broken hurl for Eoin Nichol in the very first minute perhaps signalled the kind of match this was going to be. The home side struck first with a point from play but Na Fianna soon levelled with a free taken by Eoin Nichol. Isles put their own free over a couple of minutes later and we replied again with a point from Billy Shanahan. Then it looked as though Isles were getting on top, scoring 3 points in succession to stretch their lead. Na Fianna had a couple of wides – from Niall McGovern and a free from Eoin during this time and just when we felt it was not to be our night, Robbie Rutledge scored a terrific goal to put us back in the game in the most emphatic way. With the opposition still reeling from this, up popped Billy to follow through on their failure to clear with another goal for Na Fianna. Isles put another point over to reduce our lead to a couple of points before Kevin Reilly completed the first half hat-trick of goals with another strike to the back of the net. Our near neighbours in Finglas were not for lying down and there followed an exchange of frees in which Na Fianna replied to 2 from Isles with 2 converted by Eoin, and one narrowly wide from Aidan Keogh before the half time whistle. Against the odds the visitors were turning around with a lead of 3-4 to 0-8.
We began the second half where we had left off, with Eoin putting over another free. Then the home team began to gain some momentum in their fight back, scoring no less than 6 points without reply to bring them level again. Although unlucky with a couple of wides, Na Fianna battled on and were rewarded with a free just outside the 25. Up came Billy and we guessed he wouldn't be going for a single point, and he didn't disappoint, causing the opponents' net to bulge once again. However if Na Fianna were showing a refusal to lie down, then our local rivals were demonstrating this in equal measure, and they shortly afterwards breached our goal line for the first time in the evening to bring the match back to parity. So engaging was the contest we didn't feel the time slipping and by now it we were in the final minutes of the match. A neutral observer, if one could be found, might have concluded that Erin's Isle overall seemed to be the superior side, but could it be Na Fianna's night to win against the run of play? We hoped so, as Eoin put Na Fianna's noses in front again with another free. Groans of disappointment (on the visiting touchline) as Isles equalised with about a minute left on the clock, and then the agony of seeing a final point go over the bar with no time for reply. Maybe the better team on the night won, but a draw would not have been an injustice. Na Fianna can take some heart from their display and realise they can hold their own in this league.
======================================================================
Sunday 3 May Na Fianna 3-12 Cuala 1-13
A bright sunny but blustery day in Johnstown Park saw Na Fianna take advantage of the breeze in the first half and with the wind to their backs, build up a score of 1-9 to 0-4 by half time. That we restricted our opponents to scores only from frees tells part of the story of determined defending by our lads today. Yet for the first 10 minutes it was the visitors who seemed to settle quicker and led 1-3 after that time – our first score coming from a point resulting from a goal attempt by Odhran O’Maoleidigh which the Cuala goalie tipped over the bar. After this however, Na Fianna began to settle into their stride and a brilliantly taken free by Aidan Keogh from about 70 metres out bisected the posts and announced the come back. This was followed soon after by a free from Paul Downes and a fine angled point on the run by Billy Shanahan, and Na Fianna were in the lead for the first time - an advantage they were not going to relinquish for the remainder of the game. A couple more wides followed in a flurry of activity by Na Fianna before Billy put the ball in the back of Cuala net. The visitors hit back with their final free of the half but our lads again emphasised their dominance of the match with 5 points without reply - 2 each from Eoin Nichol and Robbie Routledge and a further free from Billy Shanahan. We think Cuala were glad of the half time whistle. The second half began with a series of wides – one from Na Fianna, another two from the visiting team, who seemed to be struggling to adapt to the windy conditions. Then Cuala continued the pattern of converting a free to open the second half scoring. Na Fianna soon demonstrated that the breeze was not going to stop their game when Fearghal Breathnach struck over a point from play. Further wides littered the game from both sides before Feargal scored a goal from a free – but to their credit rather than capitulate this seemed to rally Cuala and they came storming back and scored four points without reply – one of them looking a likely goal before it was tipped over the bar by Paul Graves. Another long range free executed by Aidan Keogh steadied Na Fianna again before another period of pressure from the opposition – fortunately their scoring ratio was 2 wides for every point and they failed to make too great an impression on the Na Fianna back line. Another counter attack from Na Fianna emphasised a greater economy of effort when another goal was scored by Feargal, to keep our noses in front. Sustained attacking from Cuala saw them win a free in front of the posts and the resulting goal gave them renewed belief. A subsequent 3 points without reply saw them reduce the margin further. Once again the forwards gained some respite to the defence when Odhran clipped over another point and which was effectively the last action of the match. Overall, although not as comfortable a win as we might like, Na Fianna deserved their victory because of their resolute defending and taking their scores when opportunities opened up for them.
======================================================================
Sunday 19 April Na Fianna 1-11 Crumlin 1-8
This was a match that could have gone either way – only a score between the teams throughout and yet, and without being unduly partisan (perish the thought) if the result had gone to Crumlin - Na Fianna would surely feel it was one they let get away from them. But no more of this negativity – there’s enough of that around the town as it is. Although Crumlin were quicker into their stride, taking a lead by three points with two frees and a score from play, after about 13 minutes of play Na Fianna finally got moving with a free converted by Feargal Breathnach. This seemed to kick start the engine and two more smartly taken points – one following great interplay between Niall McGovern and Feargal for the latter to clip it over, and another great score from play soon after from Odhran O’Maoleidigh levelled the match up for the home side. On a beautiful sunny morning with hardly a whisper of a breeze, both teams began to play hurling. Na Fianna gained the lead for the first time in the match with another point this time from Robbie Routledge, but the visitors soon equalised with a great score of their own from play. Having found his range, Robbie put over another point soon after this, and this was followed up with another from Odhran, Na Fianna having been thwarted with a goal attempt seconds earlier. The home side seemed to be getting on top at this stage but Crumlin pulled a goal back about 5 minutes before the break to tip themselves back into an undeserved lead. Odhran levelled with another point from play and Niall McGovern regained the lead for Na Fianna with a further well taken score between the posts. The southsiders refused to concede and just before the referee blew for half time they scored another point to bring the game level again, with the turnaround score Na Fianna 0-8, Crumlin 1-5. The second period continued the ‘tit for tat’ scoring sequence – Feargal put over a free to restore the lead for Na Fianna, but the opposition pulled this back with a point over their own. There followed a sequence of wides from both sides, before the visitors found their range again and put themselves in front again with a point. Niall McGovern equalised with another point from play, only to see Crumlin regain the lead again moments later. After a few stray shots from Na Fianna – one free dropping onto the opposition goalie - supporters were beginning to feel it might not be our day. Odhran, having another masterful performance brought the scores level again, and finally, the pendulum swung in Na Fianna’s favour with a goal snatched by Robbie following a goal mouth scramble. This seemed to convince the visitors that God was a homer today, and despite their best efforts, their final attempt a 65 which drifted harmlessly wide and the referee brought proceedings to a close. Phew! Perhaps closer than it needed to be, but well done the lads, who have now won 2 from 4 of their league matches to date.
====================================================================
Sunday 29 Mar Ballyboden St Enda’s 5 - 9 Na Fianna 0-8.
The scoreline belies a good performance by Na Fianna, missing one or two key players, and coming up against a very good Ballyboden side. Na Fianna’s determined and good pressing game, together with well taken scores from Billy Shanahan, Aidan Keogh, and a free from Paul Downes kept them very much in the match, and at half time could be said to be unlucky to be trailing by 0-3 to 1-5. After the break Na Fianna reduced the margin with two more points from Eoin Nichol, but then the home side stretched their lead again with a goal resulting from a fairly harsh penalty decision (the general verdict from those travelling from north of the Liffey). Bodens added to this with another point from play to consolidate their lead at 2-6 to 0-5. Paul Downes, having a fine game in midfield, kept the men from Mobhi road in the game with a further point but then another point and two more goals from the home side pulled them out of sight. Undaunted Na Fianna battled away, none more so than Dara Fitzgerald, playing out of his skin. Downes stuck over another free to signal their defiance, but ‘Bodens then underlined their dominance with two more points and a goal. With only five minutes to go Carl O’Connor had the honour of putting over the final score and provide further evidence of the great team spirit in this squad. Overall it was not a bad display – with a few outstanding performances, and several players wearing Na Fianna shirts acquitted themselves as well as they possibly could have, although one or two will know they had an ‘off-day’ in terms of their normal standards. Against an outfit with the first touch consistency of Ballyboden St Enda’s, that will leave a deficit, as it did today. Nevertheless, the supporters would not attach fault to any of the players in terms of effort and honest endeavour. Well done lads, better luck next time!
===================================================================================
Sunday 15 Mar Na Fianna 2 - 10 Naomh Fionnbarra 1-6.
The visitors came to Mobhi Road with a reputation that they would be a tough team to play against and so Na Fianna were under no illusions that they would easily pick up the points on this encounter. However, on a perfect morning for hurling, with the sun shining on us and a firm breeze blowing across the pitch, it was the home side who started the more brightly, registering a couple of smartly taken points, from Eoin Nichol and Fearghal Breathnach respectively, before Finbarr’s realised they were in a match. The boys from Cabra pulled a point back from a free before some sustained pressure from Na Fianna paid off with a wonderful goal taken by Eoin Nichol. While he was still in the scoring ‘zone’, Eoin went on to clip another point over the bar a few minutes later to build up a commanding lead of 1-3 to 0-1 for Na Fianna after only 10 minutes of play. While they squandered scoring opportunities with a number of wides, all of Finbarr’s points in the first half came from frees, and they registered their second point half way through the first period. Kevin Reilly then replied for Na Fianna, followed by another from Eoin Nichol, who was giving his marker (soon to be switched) a torrid time. The visitors took advantage of two more frees to keep themselves in the contest, but Fearghal struck another point over just before we changed ends to leave Na Fianna 1-6 to 0-4 up at the break. With the breeze slightly favouring them, we expected Finbarr’s to come out all guns blazing in the second half but the first psychological blow went with Na Fianna when Fearghal put over a free. The visitors pulled another point back before further pressure from Na Fianna and a terrific burst through by Conor McCarville saw his effort followed through on by Kevin Reilly for a second goal. (Whether Conor claims an ‘assist’ or takes credit for the goal itself, he can take up with Kevin.) Finbarr’s continued to try to pull themselves back into the game, but their attempts continued to go wide of the uprights. Another free was converted for them but this was soon cancelled out by further points from play, firstly following a good run from Odhran O'Maoleidigh and then another from Kevin. The Na Fianna defence and goalkeeper deserve much credit also for withstanding a lot of pressure from an increasingly desperate opposition, but their efforts couldn’t prevent Finbarrs pulling a goal back with about 8 minutes to go. However this was too little to late, with Fergal putting over another point to give the home side the last word. Credit must go to all players on what was a fine game, and the contribution of the backs, midfield and forwards was a pleasure to watch. This was a comprehensive and deserved victory for Na Fianna, and registers their first win - but if they play like this in future games, surely not their last - in this league campaign.
==============================================================================================
Sunday 1 March Kilmacud Crokes 1-8 Na Fianna 2-3
March blows in like a lion and leaves like a lamb, so the saying goes. Let's hope in terms of the hurling it may be the other way round. There was a strong cross wind in Silverpark on Sunday as the minors for 2009 began their new season together. They certainly played with the hearts of lions - and really stood up to an onslaught from Crokes. The early part of the first half saw Na Fianna on the receiving end of Crokes' pressure which mercifully didn't translate into too many points, with many wides surely the result of the windy conditions or maybe just rusty players - who knows? Players on both sides were showing it was the first match in a long time perhaps. Once Kilmacud threatened to go steaming ahead leading by 3 points to 1 - and playing against the breeze - some of the onlookers thought the lads from Mobhi Road would buckle under. This was not the case, with a great follow through by Conor McCarville to finish off a high ball in from Niall McGovern leading to a goal and to put Na Fianna ahead for a brief period. Fearghal Breathnach added a further point to the one he had put over earlier, but this was cancelled out by a goal and a point from the home side to leave the visitors trailing at half time by 1-2 to 1-4. How would we fare in the second half against the prevaling wind, we wondered? Crokes stuck on two early scores to stretch their lead to four points and then Na Fianna fought back, first with a superbly struck free from Billy Shanahan into the back of the net and then a great point from Aidan Keogh to lift the spirits of the travelling support. Na Fianna were level and in the ascendancy for a while but then Kilmacud pointed twice more to ensure they drew the second half, but won the game. A brave display from Na Fianna in what was overall a finely contested game of hurling from both sides, neither of whom fully mastered the blustery conditions. We can draw some optimism from the great effort and spirit shown and feel that we have the makings of a good squad here this year. Onto to the next match!
====================================================================
NA FIANNA MINOR HURLING PANEL 2009
|
Kevin Aughney |
|
Connor Baxter |
|
Fearghal Breathnach |
|
Sean Burke |
|
Eoin Cassidy |
|
Ruairi Cotter |
|
Paul Downes |
|
Jack Donohoe |
|
Alan Fitzgerald |
|
Dara Fitzgerald |
|
Sean Fitzgerald |
|
Ciaran Hanton |
|
Mark Jesson |
|
Andrew Kelly |
|
Aidan Keogh |
|
Zac Lennon |
|
Niall McGovern |
|
Conor Mc Carville |
|
Eoin Nichol |
|
Sean og O’Laoire |
|
Odhran O’Maoleidigh |
|
Eoin O’Sullivan |
|
Carl O’Connor |
|
Kevin Reilly |
|
Robert Rutledge |
|
Billy Shanahan |
|
|