2013 RÉALT DEARG CLUB AWARDS

The voting for the 2013 club awards is well underway and the closing date for all entries is Wednesday 11th December. Please send in your nominees to davidroche77@gmail.com

1. Player of the Year - A Team

2. Player of the Year - B Team

3. Most Improved Player 2013

4. Clubman of the Year

Bad Day at the Office for Realt Dearg

 Hurling League Division 7 – Promotion Play-Off

 With moustaches freshly shorn, the Realt Dearg men headed to Cloghran for the Division 7 League decider against Whitehall-Colmcille. The North-Siders were fresh from two strong victories over Naomh Barrog and St Brigids in the previous two weekends. While the Terenure men hadn’t fielded since their hard fought victory over St Patricks three weeks prior: a fact that would become very evident through the course of the game.

 After the 11am throw-in Stephen Roche put Realt Dearg ahead after only two minutes with a point from 45 meters out. Unfortunately, this would be the only time Realt Dearg would be in front throughout the game. After five minutes Whitehall snatched the lead back with a goal. And followed it with another goal just a few minutes later when their centre-forward hit the back of the net with an excellent strike from just outside the 21. Heavy pressure from Whitehall continued for the rest of the half seeing them put five more points on the board before half time.

 Realt Dearg battled hard throughout the first half. Liam Breen and Stephen Roche posing real threats for Whitehalls backs. The Stars had their chances: four frees were missed and Roche was very unfortunate not to score with an over the shoulder shot. In the fifteenth minute Liam Breen was brought down after a darting run and Roche easily tipped it over the bar.

 The score at the break was 2-05 to 0-02 in Whitehall’s favour. Whitehall seemed to have the measure of our boys and undoubtedly had benefited from matches on the two weekends previous. They were out in front for every ball and were passing accurately from all corners of the pitch. In contrast, Realt Dearg lacked first touch and made errors with and without the ball. Realt Dearg were lucky not to concede another goal when a lobbing ball dropped in and was blocked by Mulkere, then hitting the post to find the Whitehall forwards pouncing in. The backs and goalie kept their cool and were rewarded with a free out.

 The second half saw Realt Dearg make a change; Mike Butler replaced Stephen Roche in full-forward and would now be the target man. Whitehall began the second half as they had ended the first; scoring five points in the first 15 minutes.

 Cathal Mulkere was called into action when Whitehall’s full-forward popped up unmarked on the 21 yard line with ball in hand. The shot was saved by Mulkere and cleared only to be quickly sent back over the bar for a Whitehall score.

 Realt Dearg scored three points in the second half; Dennis and Tarpey scoring from play and Tarpey scoring again from a free. The Stars needed goals and made every attempt to get them. With big Mike Butler in full-forward, high balls were dropped in hoping to find a safe pair of hands and hopefully some much needed goals. On two occasions Butler managed to pluck balls from the air but couldn’t quite get the shot off. Realt Dearg were awarded a penalty at 25 minutes and were assured a score when Tarpey stepped up to drive it home. However, the powerfully struck shot found the helmet of the beaten goalie and was saved.

 Whitehall’s forwards attacked from all side with the half forward line and full-forward proving particularly troublesome, scoring eight points between them in the second half. Whitehall finished the game delivering one last blow to Realt Dearg when a Whitehall substitute sent a lucky shot between the goalkeeper legs.

 The full time score finished 3-15 to 0-5. Well done to Whitehall on a polished display. An unfortunate end to a year for Réalt Dearg's first string, dotted with some great performances and some time at last to rest and plan for 2014. Well done to Whitehall on a polished display.

 Ed Kavanagh

The surprising bright and calm winter morning in Donabate saw Realt Dearg tussle again with keen league rivals St Patricks in a mammoth Division 7 league play-off semi-final. The previous meetings had generated robust affairs littered by goals and this occasion proved no exception. Some likened it to be being grittier than a Leitrim council-workers socks.
 
The home team started the brighter, stretching to a rapid 1-3 to 0-4 lead until Chuck Breen unloaded to give Realt Dearg a needed goal and the lead. St Pats came on again with a lengthy period of dominance in the middle of the half but were undone by some uncharacteristic wides from placed balls. 29 mins into the half left Realt Dearg a point to the good 1-5 to 1-4 until a galtee- cheese powered Stephen Roche pounced in the final minute to goal and result in a hard won 4 point lead at the break, 2-5 to 1-4.
 
The second half was only settling down when Roche flashed another ground ball to the net, followed by a free 65m out.. Martin Murphy then followed up a with looping special to deceive the keeper from distance as the ball found the far top corner - the gap now being a sizable 4-6 to 1-4. St Pats reacted with vigour and re-organised to run at the Realt Dearg defense at every opportunity. Despite resolute defence from Chairman Jackman, St Pat pressure told and found the net to reduce the lead. Realt Dearg responded with a free after more good work on the wing from Martin Murphy but the tide in the middle was turning despite Denis O's telling flicks. 
 
Carlo then suffered from a minor helmet disassembly malfunction after a rugby international-like clash, while the action resumed with the teams trading a number of wides, all under intense pressure from the defences. The Realt Dearg defense stood firm to repeated straight running attacks with Mike Richardson proving immovable, and Ultan Dillon and Eoin Fitz Velcro-like. St Pats pointed a free 17 minutes into the half to make it 4-7 to 2-5 when Chairman Trevor had to leave the pitch after a knock to the knee-cap.
 
St Patricks now applied even more pressure with runners displaying Chinese-Olympic like reserves of energy to drive through midfield and the half forward lines. After a logarithmic number of ground pulls the ball found the net twice in 5 minutes to suddenly create a 1-point ball game with 5 minutes to go, 4-7 to 4-6. As Mulkere pucked out from goal all eyes turned to the next telling possessions which would decide the match. Cometh the hour, cometh the roving John Tarpey who gathered in the middle and dropped an inspirational point onto the roof of the net. Roche then followed up with a long-range free to finally overcome the stern home-teams challenge. Scor Deireanach - Realt Dearg 4-9 Naomh Padraig 4-6.
 
This was a tough lung-busting championship level game in November proving the huge amounts of dedication from all involved. Long odds would have been got at the outset that the 2013 Realt Dearg season would outlast Flannery's public house trading, but then in this reporters opinion its merely cause and effect in action. Roll on the Christmas league payoff final showdown.

by David Roche

Realt Dearg 1-5 Wild Geese 0-7

Realt Dearg B team travelled up to Oldtown with the mission of qualifying for the semi final of championship for the first time . Wild Geese were the form team up at the top of the league and part of a RTE radio documentary that saw them get some expert training from an array of outside coaches.  Realt Dearg had to make do with Jack Mc, Mulkere, Cian and Stephen Casey putting through paces

This game was not one for the pursuits but it was a tough physical battle that the Stars managed to squeeze through.

2 of the old guard with the Stars from day 1 Danger deady and Ross the fireman Kelly layed the foundations for this win with a number of timely interceptions, block, hooks and harassing. Danger was so stuck to his man it looked like he’d have to be surgically removed at full time. The Realt Dearg 6 backs and keeper mulkere were not in any mood to let in any handy scores. This was reflected in that Wild Geese were held to 1 point from play over the 60 mins.

The Stars suffered a big loss after 2 minutes with influential midfielder Ed Kavanagh having to cry off with an injured quad but no better man to be sprung that the recently returned and tanned Paul Warren. Warren would have a telling effect over the course of the remainder of the game with the most glorious scuttery half blocked shot from 30 yards in Dearg Bs  history. Thousands will claim to have seen it in years to come.

Up front the forwards worked very hard and threw themselves into the physical battle but huge improvement will be needed to be in contention in the semi final. It’s a pity the free taker didn’t get a belt 20 mins before he did get it as it woke him up a small bit. Credit must go to Kevin McEvoys medical team who patched up with bandages and black hurley tape. That medic course really worked out well

Realt Dearg went in 4 points to 1 up at half time with a champagne point ( his words) from Tomissoft Kehoe and the best dearg move of the game with a number of passes from Ross Mc, Shane Murphy, Ger Kennedy and finished by Jack.

That was as good as it got up front for a long period as all 6 were guilty of shocking misses that will need to be worked on. It was 25 mins into the second half when stars had fallen 3 points behind after Geese seemed to have gotten a grip of the game before 65 when sailing over. The introduction of James Jedward Kenny had added a bit of badly need pace up front and his efforts lifted the team.  From the puck out stars had a number of changes for goal before Paul Warren struck with 90 seconds left on the clock that went under the up to then very solid Geese number 1. What followed was the near total defence hurling with stars leaving only 2 men up in the forwards. Geese got a final chance after a very soft free in the wild geese defence was moved up due to realt dearg protests. Up stepped the wild geese number one but his effort dropped in around the house and hurleys, bodies, blood and finally the sliotar came back out before one last chance to geese went wide of the posts.

The resulting puck out from Mulkere went right over the sideline and into the next field with the final whistle from the referee leading to scenes from jubilation from the Stars team

Cathal Mulkere

Ross Fireman Kelly, Caoimhin, Pat Moran

Cian O’Brien ( Capt), Barry Ruth, Kevin “Danger” Deady

Smiley, Ed Kavanagh

Stephen Casey, Ross McKiernan, Tomissoft Kehoe (0-1)

Shane Murphy, Jack McNamara (0-4), Ger Kennedy

Subs Paul Warren (1-0), James Kenny, Seamus Ryan, David Kenneally, Ciaran Butler, Mick Butler, Liam Lanigan, James Doyle, Gavin o’Connell, Paddy Ryan, Tom McNiff
Injured: Mark Brennan, Brian Mulcahy, Stephen Barry, Johnny Griffin Emigrated: Colm Brennan Unavailable: Killian Roberts, Brian Goose Kelly, Mike Slattery

by Jack McNamara

RULES

 

1.     It’s simple, just pick the winner of one (1) Premier League match each week. If your selection wins you progress to the next week, lose or draw and you're out.

2.     Once a selection is made, you will not have the ability to change it.

3.     You may not pick the same team to win more than once during the tournament (unless the tournament progresses past 20 weeks).

4.     All selections must be received no later than midday on the day of the first match of the week. For midweek rounds where the first game kicks offat 7.45pm or later, all selections must be in by 7pm.

5.     Should you forget to make your selection in any week, you will automatically be assigned the first team that you have not selected in alphabetical order. Once a team is automatically selected, you will not have the ability to change the selection.

6.     In the event that any match involving a team you have selected is postponed or cancelled for any reason, you will continue to the next round. However, that team will no longer be available for selection.

7.     Should two or more participants remain standing and all are eliminated in the same week, the Last Man Standing prize will be distributed equally among them.

8.     Rounds of fixtures may take place on weekends or mid-week, depending on available fixtures.

          9.      We will email you the fixtures every Monday

Realt Dearg bank a/c details:

sort code 93-10-47

a/c no: 39098067

Make sure to include your name and advise when this is done.

Réalt Dearg featured on the Newstalk Breakfast show this morning in the run up to Dublin playing Cork this weekend in the All-Ireland Semi-Final.

Journalist Kieran Cuddihy paid a visit and took part in Réalt Dearg's training session in Bushy Park and interviewed a few club legends, Lanigan, Mailman and Danger on the development and short history of the club.

Listen to the piece here -

RD’s final game before the summer break took place on Kiltipper Road against RD’s landlords, Thomas Davis.  RD started the game in clinical fashion and showed to be very accurate with their point taking with John Tarpey leading the way some excellent points.  The half ended on bittersweet terms with a spectacular point from want away halfback Micheal “Harry Styles” Curtin whilst talisman Trevor Jackman was forced to leave the field with a nasty hand injury.

Stephen Roche was sprung from the bench at halftime and showed some classy touches in the second half to set up some nice scores. Eugene Kenny then broke Thomas Davis hearts late on with a well taken goal which finished the game as a contest. (This reporter came on at half time, after a couple of weeks out, so apologies if the first half recollection is more detailed than the second).

Thomas Davis threw the kitchen sink at RD in the second half however the visitors finished out the game in professional manner and now look forward to the club’s quarter final clash with Skerries on Sunday 25th August.

Team: Mike Butler, Ultan Dillon, Eoin Fitzpatrick, Mike Richardson, Micheal Curtin, Trevor Jackman, Cathal Hester, Eoin O’Dwyer, Niall Mullane, Liam Breen, John Tarpey, Kevin Ryan, Dermot Ryan, Eugene Kenny, Martin Ryan Subs: Stephen Roche, Eoghan Carroll



Eoghan Carroll

The week of 21st July proved to be a very important week for RD's A team in AHL 7. Languishing in mid table, RD went into the Brigids and Thomas Davis needing 4 points from 4 to get back into contention for a league final berth.

The St. Brigids game was first up on a hot evening in Russell Park. The game started at a great pace with RD snuffing out some early St. Brigids' attacks.

Scores were difficult to come by with John Tarpey slotting over from both play and placed balls. Dermot Ryan then latched on to a breaking ball in behind the opposition defence and doubled on it first time for the game's first goal.

RD held a slender, but deserved lead, at halftime after some resolute defending by all 6 defenders and Mike in goal who was less grumpy as normal which boded well for the halftime team talk.

The 2nd half was as tight as the first and after a good start by RD the opposition started to take control. After much beard and chin stroking RD made a double substitution with Niall Mullane & Martin Ryan, fresh from his month in quarantine, coming on to add to the energy levels up front. Points from Tarpey and goals from lead RD home after sustained Brigids pressure in the closing stages.

It was a real team performance with Magic Mike & Ultan uncompromising in the corners. The Kilkenny axis of efficiency, Trevor Jackman and Eoin Fitz were solid up the middle. Two of RD’s most experienced campaigners, Brad Harte and Cathal Hester, were faultless on the flanks whilst Eoin “Ninja” O’Dwyer and Micheal “One D” Curtin emptied their respective tanks at midfield. The fusion of 90s grunge and present day boyband pop is proving to be a match made in hurling heaven.  Up front the half forward line of Dinny, Tarps and Chuck made serious inroads in the possession stakes and were excellent in defence also.  The inside line of Ryan, Eugene and Kev Ryan posed a threat all through with will get better as a unit with more game time through the rest of the summer.

Team: Mike Butler, Ultan Dillon, Eoin Fitzpatrick, Mike Richardson, Brad Harte, Trevor Jackman, Cathal Hester, Eoin O’Dwyer, Michael Curtin, Liam Breen, John Tarpey, Denis O’Sullivan, Dermot Ryan, Eugene Kenny, Kevin Ryan Subs: Niall Mullane, Martin Ryan, Eoghan Carroll

Best of luck to both teams in Championship this evening.

A's play St Judes in Thomas Davis.

B's up against St Josephs in Fairview park

Both games throw in at 7.30

League games this weekend
B's play Erin go Bragh in Thomas Davis at 11.30 Sunday morning

Na Fianna have requested the A game to be moved so goes ahead Monday at 7.30 in Collinstown (same pitch we played them in Championship couple of weeks ago).

Directions to Collinstown
From M50: Take Ballymun exit (Junction 4) and head for Airport at traffic lights take a right on to Collinstown Lane (airport on left), continue past Ballymun Kickhams and Starlights ground  for about 1km, entrance on right.
From City Centre: From Dorset Street head straight out to Old Swords Road past Omni Shopping Centre & Santry Stadium, at Dardistown Cemetery take a left at lights  on to Collinstown Lane (airport on right), continue on for 2km entrance on left.