Here’s another round up with what's been happening on the field over the past few days
Thursday June 15th
The St Brendan’s Football 2nd Xv faced Castleknock in AFL 10 and returned a victory on a 1-9 to 0-9 score line and the scorers were: Eoin O'Connor 1- 4 , Sean Hilliard 0-1 Andy Moran 0-2 James McGee 0-1 and Ferdia Donohoe 0-1. James McGee bid for a goal via a back heel ended when he simply didn’t get the technique right.
Sunday June 18th
Still reeling from the manner in which Raheny won on Sunday, The St Brendan’s Football 1st XV knew it was win or bust against a St Maurs of Rush side who had the misfortune being the first team to lose to St Monicas this year.
Just 15 players were available for St Brendan’s that Sunday Morning, and likewise St Maurs also had the bare minimum of 15. But the worries Justin McCormack and Martin Ryan of the shortage of available players were quickly forgotten about when John Burns won the throw in and soloed all the way to the 20 meter line and pass to Diarmuid Cooney for the goal after just 10 seconds. The 2nd goal was scored by Michael ‘The DJ’ Cahill, who fisted the ball, Diego Maradona Hand Of God style into the net on a well worked move up the left hand side of the pitch.
Tuesday June 20th.
Hurling manager Cian Walsh spent the evening analyzing most of the AHL 7 fixtures played that evening. When St Brendan’s played Trinity Gaels on March 12th, that was the only fixture that went ahead that day and the rest of the fixtures were played this evening with Walsh keeping a Cian eye on 2nd place Lucan Sarsfields game against St Peregrines and table toppers Kilmacud Crokes away trip to Round Towers Lusk. As expected, both posted rather comfortable comprehensive victories, which meant the Friday Evening fixture against Castleknock was a warm up for the promotion play off later this year.
Wednesday June 21st.
Both St Brendan’s Ladies Football teams were in action and both recorded comprehensive victories. The ladies 1sts continued their incredible winning streak with a comfortable 9-12 to 2-5 victory over Garda Westmanstown Gaels. Whereas the Ladies Football 2nd XV recorded a fourth victory 5-20 to 2-5 against Whitehall Colmcille in the League and Cup Double up game.
Friday June 23rd
The St Brendan's Hurlers, sponsored by Bodibro went into the final AFL7 fixture of the year assured of a place in the promotion play off. This evening they faced Castleknock, without their big names in what was in essence a run out ahead of the promotion play off.
An action packed opening minute saw Declan ‘I Follow Rivers’ Lee hit a shot wide after 13 seconds, Castleknock opened the scoring after 33 seconds and Noel Lanes sideline cut found Gavin ‘The Goal Getter’ Muldoon for the equalizing score after 80 seconds.
The Dark force made it 3 points to 1 after 5 minutes when Shane ‘Harry Styles’ Nolan, with his Song ’As It Was’ blaring from a Pride Party at nearby Hyne’s bar in Prussia Street at that time, scored from play, and The Longford Slasher Noel Lane hitting a free in from 20 meters.
Muldoon had to settle for a point after Nolan whipped in a free in to make it 4 points to 1. After Castleknock Made it 4 points to 2, Ritchie Barrys puckout found Patrick Lambe with Route One Hurling with the shot over the bar. Lane Pointed his 2nd free in after a Nolan has fouled after some holding.
Scores were at a premium as both teams struggled with communication with the loud music coming from Hynes Bar’s Pride Party heard clearly in Grangegorman. Lane went for placement rather than power when a goal opportunity went wide.
Declan Lee made it 7 points to 4 with a 65 which was converted close to the side line. Both Lee and Nolan both had solo runs thwarted by hooks but Nolan did make amends with a fine point shortly before half time.
The Happy Days Coffee Van Half Time Score St Brendan’s 0-8 Castleknock 0-5.
It was all Castleknock in the second half hitting three consecutive wides before finally getting the opening score of the second half after 33 minutes. Shane Nolan won Barry’s 4th puck out and after a 45-meter unchallenged solo run, pucked over for the three-point lead again 9 points to 6.
Castleknock totally dominated the second half, whatever they put into their half time water, and took the lead after 44 minutes and this prompted Cian Walsh to get into the action and likewise Rory Tynan, after Castleknock struck their 11th point, Declan Lee made it a one-point game after Gavin Muldoon played a great ball to Lee and the point.
St Brendan’s went for goal to win the match, Noel Lane whipped in a close range free in low but the shot and cleared by Castleknock and which Ritchie Barry has been busy with puck outs, he was also busy with spectacular saves to keep his clean sheet intact.
In the final minute, Lane played another free in short and Rory Tynan was on hand to get the bas of his hurley on the slioter to guide it over the bar, but he realistically wanted that goal, it never happened and luckily for Ritchie Barry no goal was conceded either and despite the defeat, St Brendan’s will have their big guns back who were missing this evening, when The Dark Force travel to 12th Lock in Lucan on Tuesday July 4th and face Lucan Sarsfields with a place in AHL6 in 2024 up for grabs.
Final score from Grangegorman: St Brendan’s 0-11 Castleknock 0-14.
