Senior League (AFL 2) – Mon. 28th May 2007

Clontarf 0-13  V Naomh Barrog 1-6 [ Half Time: 0-7, 1-4 ]

“Unlucky 13 points the way to victory”

For the first time this season Clontarf  had almost a full panel to chose from which was very pleasing. Clontarf started extremely well and dominated possession for the opening 20 minutes. We were first to the ball in practically every position and we moved the ball economically and accurately as we attacked the road end.
While a few scores were registered in this period there was at least 4 or 5 point opportunities forgone because the players that carried the ball so well into shooting positions either didn’t shoot and chose to pass or else
carried the ball into tackles and were dispossessed. One such dispossession allowed Barrog to counter attack and they scrambled a goal despite the best efforts of our defence. Despite poor finishing in general, Shane Barret managed to hit the crossbar with two well struck efforts during this period and was unlucky not to score at least one. Barrog tagged on a few more points as did Clontarf and instead of us going in at half time 10 points upthe sides were level.

Thankfully the Clontarf players were fired up at half time realising that they were a  better team and that they had left many scores behind. We started well and while Barrog continued to disrupt some of our attacking
moves we managed to pull away and outscore them 5 pts to 1 in the second half. Barrog threatened the Clontarf goal in the last 5 minutes but Clontarf managed to stave them off with some passionate but at times "panicky"
defending under pressure.

There were alot of positives to take from this game not least the huge team effort, with every player and every sub playing his part on the day. It is significant that despite letting Barrog back into the game, that players
were composed and focused enough to mount another challenge and although every attack wasn’t working out perfectly the players showed great self belief in persevering and trusting that they had the ability to win the
game. Going forward we need to bring this composure and self belief into all our games. While there is undoubtedly plenty of ability and determination within the team it is this self belief and teamwork that will bring us success in AFL2.

Management had strong options on the line for the almost the first time this season and the subs that came on performed admirably. Shane Dunlea (played very well) suffered a dislocated shoulder and Mark Coffey (always a steady performer but today was his best game in a long time - man of the match..pity about the nose) a broken nose but hopefully both will recover in time for the next game on June 16th v Olafs.

Well done all...great to get the win.

Scoring Sequence 1st half:

Clontarf: S. Barret    0-1, Paddy Curran    Free

Barrog:    Free

Clontarf: S. Dunlea    0-1   

Barrog:  Free

Clontarf: D. Mullins    0-1   

Barrog: Goal

Clontarf: Shane Mac    0-1   

Barrog: 0-1

Clontarf D. Mullins    0-1   

Barrog: 0-1

Clontarf: Dara O'Brien    0-1

Scoring Sequence 2nd half:

Clontarf: Paddy Curran    Free   

Barrog: 0-1

Clontarf: Shane Mac    Free, D. Mullins    0-1, Kevin Devine    0-1, Paddy Curran    0-1, Dara O'Brien    0-1