Photo Credit for Video Content: Damian O’Higgins.
On a balmy Saturday afternoon the Clontarf Men’s Second Team contested the AFL 4 League Final in O’Toole park against Cuala.
Clontarf had come into the game unbeaten with 6 wins and 1 draw in the Dublin North league while Cuala had an impressive 7/7 wins in the Dublin South league. The two teams’ unbeaten seasons were on the line and it showed with the attitude, fitness and ability of both teams really coming to the fore in the opening exchanges.
Cuala dominated possession in the opening 5 minutes but came up against a resolute Clontarf defence. Time and time again they tried to break the line but to no avail. A massive turnover was greeted by roars from the crowd and within 30 seconds the ball was dispatched into the top corner of the Cuala net by a Clontarf player who had started the move on his own 45 metre line.
Clontarf then dominated possession for the rest of the half and created numerous scoring opportunities and although leading 1-7 to 1-4 at HT had been hit by a sucker punch of a goal towards the end of the half.
It is important to mention Cuala’s skill and ability here as they didn’t register a single wide in the first half and looked extremely dangerous when going forward. The match was balanced on a knife edge at this point. The Clontarf players dug deep in their reserves of energy for this 3rd quarter and even without having the shooting boots on kept taking the game to Cuala time and time again. It just shows the character of the squad that they kept going as this was a hugely difficult part of the game and there have been many games in the past where the game has been lost in this period.
Clontarf entered the final quarter with a 1-10 to 1-6 lead. This was where all the players put their bodies on the line and with some hugely nervy moments survived a Cuala onslaught through some outstanding defending and huge fielding.
The final score being 1-11 to 1-8 showed the tightness of the game. It is customary to name the starting team and subs but it can be genuinely said that this league would not have been achieved without the whole squad who had big moments in tight games throughout the season. The squad was the key reason we made it to and then won the final. Huge thanks to all the players and coaches for their attitude for the whole season and hopefully this is only the beginning of a successful year for this group of players. Thanks also as ever to our team sponsors, Member First Credit Union for all their support.
John Treanor
AFL4 Team Lead Mentor
Match Day Panel:
1. Brian Dufficy
2. Ciaran Walsh, 3. Ross Coy, 4. Lucas Sherwood
5. Rory Doran, 6. Alex Byrne, 7. Harry Lynch
8. Daragh Devilly, 9. Rob Reynolds
10. Fionn Delaney, 11. Mick Cunningham, 12. Leo Cunningham
13. Luke O’Higgins, 14. Eoghan Doody, 15. Shane McIntyre
16. Phillip Lynch, 17. Barry Mangan, 18. Kev Mc Grath, 19. DJ O’Flaherty
20. Rory Goode, 21. James Dunne, 22. Liam Ennis, 23. Eoin MacNamee, 24. Ross McCulla
Team Management:
John Treanor, Anthony Eames, Michael Murphy, Pat Cunningham.
Photo Credit for Video Content: Damian O’Higgins.
