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

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.

AHL 7, April 7
Round Towers 0-11 Réalt Dearg 1-17

Realt Dearg 'A' side got their league season off to a winning start with a comfortable win against Round Towers in Clondalkin.

Playing against a strong wind in the first half, the Stars got off to a solid start and went into an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead through points from John Tarpey and Stephen Roche. Towers however began to utilise the elements and finished the half strongly to lead at the break 0-7 to 0-6.

A much improved second half performance followed where scores from Kevin Ryan, Seán Loughman, Denis O’Sullivan and Tarpey’s accurate free-taking put the Stars in a commanding position before Loughman goaled to seal the game. Mike Richardsons half-time introduction also improved the teams fortunes as he caused numerous problems for the Towers defence.

The Réalt Dearg rearguard where Gary Thompson, Ronan Moloney and Cathal Hester impressed, held firm throughout to see the Stars record a 1-17 to 0-11 win.

Team: Gary Thompson, Ultan Dillon, Cathal Hester, Killian Roberts, Eoin Fitz, Eoghan Carroll, Ronan Moloney, John Tarpey, Eoin O’Dwyer, Denis O’Sullivan, Niall Mullane, Sean Loughman, Stephen Roche, Martin Murphy, Kevin Ryan. Sub: Mike Richardson

AHL 9, April 7
Réalt Dearg 'B' 3-9 St Peregrines 1-9

Réalt Dearg B team made a super start to competitive competition by defeating St Peregerines in the first round of the Dublin League.
Workrate was key to the win with newcomer Stephen Casey impressing in only his second ever game, finishing with 1-1.
Stephen Barry scored a great goal, which came as a result of a great passage of play and build up by the Dearg team. Jack added points throughout and also bagged the third goal.
Tom Keogh inspired particularly with a great catch and long range point but Peregrines put the pressure on towards the end. Dearg stuck tight though with Goose making some vital interceptions to bring the final whistle and the win to the Stars.

Team - Mulkere, Danger, Pat Moran, Goose, Caoimhín, Skippy, Ed, Paul Warren, M Butler, Jack, Cian, Tom Keogh, Shane Murphy, Stephen Barry, Stephen Casey. 
Subs - Colm Brennan and Gavin O'Connell.

A’s play Round Towers in Clondalkin on Sunday at 3pm. Pitch location below.
B’s play St Peregines on Sunday at 3 in Thomas Davis. (We’re waiting on confirmation from TD that this is the grass pitch. Assume it is for the moment)

Training continues next week in Stepaside at 8pm Monday and Wednesday for BOTH teams.

The B’s have also requested an extra training session for the next 2 weeks in preparation for first Championship game so will train on the next two Thursdays at 7 in Bushy park.

Also, both sides are trying to get challenge games for next weekend. Nothing confirmed yet but details to follow.

Best of luck to both teams this weekend.

DIRECTIONS TO ROUND TOWERS GAA

Finally, the holidays for the year can be planned as both League and championship fixtures have been fixed by Dublin County Board.

The A team kick off their championship against old foes, Castleknock, at Kiltipper Road on the 21st of April while the B team are also out the same day in Kiltipper Road against Whitehall Colmcilles.

For all the fixtures for 2013, check out our fixtures and results page here FIXTURES 2013

The Réalt Dearg A team play their first League game this Sunday at 3.30.
The game takes place on the Thomas Davis Astro Pitch against St Brigid's and all support is appreciated as we look to get the 2013 year off to a flyer.
Réalt Dearg Abú.