Epic quarter final wins keep season going
We love Autumn in Realt Dearg, if Brendan Walsh is to be believed (and apparently he’s in college or something), it’s when we come into our own. With that in mind, this report comes to you from the point of view some of our most colourful characters, thanks to a series of quotes from what Robbie Madden lovingly described as ‘An awful gang of gobshites’.
Build Up
“Wouldn’t you love to be togging?”
-A team selector and RD captain for life Trevor Jackman (10:20am)
With his finger on the pulse of the club, as always, Trev summed up the atmosphere as the A panel went through their paces in the warmup. The sun was shining and the ground was hard, supporters were arriving in dribs and drabs clutching coffees and the odd chicken fillet roll, a perfect day of near perfect hurling awaited. James Aherne had a few of the best kind of selection headaches to work through with a strong 24 man panel to pick from.
“Where’s O’D?”
-Everyone (10:40am)
A minor hitch to the day early on, as one of the club’s many ‘Spiritual leaders’ (i.e. Sauce buckets) failed to show, leaving the club down one of its most reliable and unbiased umpiring options. An able replacement was soon found, Kieran ‘65’ O’Brien filling the void. With the officiating team set, the game got under way.
1st Half- Operation P.O.D.G.E
“It’s dropping short!”
-Ballyboden defender drastically underestimating Conor Maharaj’s range (11:05am)
A good start was a priority for the A team and they got it through scores from Shane Healy, Eoin O’Shea and an absolute boomer of a free from Maharaj inside his own half, to put us 0-3 to 0-1 ahead. Boden responded strongly and scores were hard to come by in the second quarter, Shane scoring the pick of them after great work by Mike O’Connor. Gaining possession in his own half back line, the Corkonian left not just his man, but also the poor, out of shape, jeans wearing linesman for dead as he burst up the field and sent over a peach to keep the Stars in the lead. Brendan ‘Don’t call him Shelbyville’ Costello added another, before the real star of the show made himself known.
“He only has 5 minutes left in him”
-The same Ballyboden defender drastically underestimating Podge’s stubbornness (11:20am)
Selected at midfield, Podge Buckley was the subject of several lit candles and novenas in the week leading up to the match, in the hope we could get a full 12 minutes out of him. We got all of that and more in a rampaging performance, as well as finally learning the true meaning of what P.O.D.G.E stands for (Plough Over Dubs, Gracefully & Effectively). The big man twice relieved pressure in his own half by winning totally legitimate frees that were-totally-frees-and-not-dives-shut-up. But it was going forward where he showed his true worth, sending ball after ball into the full forward line and bursting through the middle late in the first half, eventually sending the ball over the bar before aimlessly colliding with an innocent defender. In sharp contrast, his fellow Corkman Cathal Noonan powered through some questionable challenges, never showing any sign of feeling the effects. Upon having his health examined by the referee the wily Podge bought himself some time to regain his breath with the quote of the day:
“Will you give me a minute to get back out midfield?”
-Podge
Second Half- All hands on deck
“Who’s that lad coming on?”
-One of RD’s new recruits had no idea of the Matt Lynch-flavoured treat he was in for (11:40am)
We hear all year in training that you need a full panel to get anywhere in this sport, and RD started to make use of their strong bench with Matt making a welcome return to championship hurling, and his influence would be key as Boden started the second half strongly. Reeling in the lead, 5 unanswered points put the Southsiders into a slim 0-12 to 0-10 lead 6 minutes after the break.
“It’s dropping short”
-Boden defender who just wouldn’t learn his lesson (11:50am)
The stars hauled themselves back into the game as the backs got to grips with their opposite numbers, Ciaran Gough risking life and limb to get in a block at full stretch, before Maharaj pulled out his party piece and nailed a sideline from God knows what distance. The mighty Podge added another before the pride of Galway was called upon to enter the fray. (Also, Robbie came on). Hurney had hardly stepped on the pitch when he bamboozled the full back and shot over off his left to level the scores.
“Jesus, he’s still going!”
-I don’t know who said this. There was a lot going on. It might have been me (12:05pm)
What I know for sure is that it was in reference to Eoin O’Shea. Ballyboden had pulled ahead again by 2 points, and the restless crowd were beginning to get the feeling that a goal would be required if the Dearg were to stay in the game. Step forward O’Shea.
I know a lot happened in the build-up, but it was too frantic to remember exactly what. (Maybe Tarpey had a shot? Podge was in a hape out the field). The end result was the Kilkenny man found himself on the endline with a corner back between him and the goal. Eyeing up the defender, he fancied his chances, powering past before pulling out an audacious bat from a tight angle for one of the best and most important goals Drimnagh Castle has seen in it’s short few years as our home pitch. Maharaj and Healy added scores but Boden refused to die, a nifty corner forward coming into the game strongly (more on him later). The scores level at the death, and it took a monster catch from Costello to wrap things up and keep the home side alive, dragging us to extra time.
Extra Time
“What happens if it’s still a draw at the end?” John O’Callaghan
“Replay” James
“None of that 65s shite?” JOC
“No” James (12:15pm)
-JOC showing how unprepared we all were for extra-time
Prepared or not we got a dream start to extra time, Matt (Open to correction on who it was) winning a free from the throw in that Maharaj dispatched. Boden had their second purple patch through the remainder of the half though, Tarpey keeping us in the game with a score from a tight angle, leaving 2 points in it at half time, 0-23 to 1-18.
The last 10 minutes were a blur. Everyone was on the pitch, Philly O’Donnell was majestic, I personally abandoned all attempts at pretending to be an impartial linesman, Trev punched the air. Here’s what we know for sure was said:
“I’m 40 years of age, I won’t be making another bursht like that”
-The Gary Hurney mind**** in full effect after Robbie set him up for the next score. The poor full back must have believed him.
“I love you Shane!!!”
-Podge paid tribute to his hero after he got what looked like the winning score, set up by Niall O’Keefe’s superhuman strength in winning the ball back after his shot was blocked.
“WOOOOOOOO”
-Mike Richardson rallying the troops after his second heroic high catch in a minute, winning a free and relieving pressure after Boden equalised. As Rossi launched the free into the Ballyboden half, the blur faded into slow motion (and if anything suits Hurney at his age, it’s slow motion). The one bursht he had promised he wouldn’t make was timed immaculately to gather possession on the 45, and with barely a glance at the posts (and less than a glance at teammates calling for a pass) the strike over the left shoulder was sent sailing between the posts and the RD sideline was sent into delirium.
There was time for more, as Boden played the aforementioned troublemaker in the corner one last time in the hope of snatching a draw. But Brendan Walsh is too wily a corner back to be fooled by the same the same trick for a 10th time. There was a collection of further “woooooo”s as he got a block his enemy’s last throw of the dice, the ball finding its way to the 2 men James Aherne would have wanted most, Matt coolly gathering and looking outside to the tireless Maharaj (South America was good to him) who took off on one last run prompting the final whistle.
The celebrations were suitably chaotic on the sidelines and on the pitch, an absolute game for the ages and a standard of hurling as good as any you’ll see at any level*. Last word goes to Danger Deady, the RD veteran describing it as “as good a win as we’ve got” in the club’s ten-year existence. Roll on Fingallians at the field of Drims in 2 weeks. 60 minutes away from intermediate hurling… Droma and Lanigan, you may have created a monster.
*Philly and Podge are witness to this, Brendan later described it, oddly specifically, as a higher standard than Waterford intermediate 8 years ago. Which is good, I guess.
Intermission
“Grub?”
-B Team captain Niall Mullane was showing no signs of nerves between games (1:15pm)
As the few brave souls who opted to stick it out between games got slowly burnt to a crisp, Conor O Maharaj put his coaching hat on and took time from his busy day to soften up his fellow Dicksboro man when the ref arrived. The jovial atmosphere was soon shattered, however, when the opposition arrived sporting their knock off Kilkenny kit, sending the sizeable non-Kilkenny contingent among the B panel into a frenzy.
“Oh, he’s going to do damage today”
-Maybe not a quote, but a general consensus on the sideline after Martin Breathnach opened the scoring. (3:03 pm)
And do damage he did. Aided by his fellow forwards, Martin’s 2 points from play, added to by Gahan, Tom Kehoe and Brennan gave the B men the ideal start, before a long free from Tom found it’s way to the net thanks in no small part to Gahan and Eric swinging like windmills on the edge of the square. Naomh Mearnog rallied late in the half, with 2 points to head into the break at 1-7 to 0-5.
“I think Gavin O’Connell is my favourite hurler”
-Podge turning his back on Shane Healy (3:45pm)
Confidence was high in the 3rd quarter, summed up by Podge’s laid-back attitude to favourite hurler accolades. The RD backs came under some pressure but dealt with it with a minimum of fuss GOC, in particular keeping cool calm and collected like his hero David Meyler, who he bases his game on. Ronan Moloney, concussion-free and relieved to see O’D finally arrive, was showing why he’s considered the flamboyant one in this backline and Mullane was showing why he is considered better than Moloney. Martin opened the scoring with one of the scores of the game, batting a wayward shot into his path before slotting it over the bar over his left shoulder and his third from play. Gahan, Brennan and tom added to the lead and a monster from Gav Manifold prompted much “WOO-ing”. Even a Mearnog goal 10 minutes into the half didn’t look like it would turn the tide.
“10 outta 10 Gahan”
-James Aherne (4:00pm)
A second Mearnog goal, a long ball taking a deceptive wobble in the wind, rattled us briefly, and when the plucky Northsiders brought the lead back to 2, cool heads were needed. One man who can always be relied upon to keep his cool is former manager Gahan, and he came up with a big moment to break the opposition’s momentum. When a puck out fell uncontested on the opposition 45, a Hurney-esque burst got him to the ball first and a Podge-esque reaction won him a crucial free. The 2 minutes of physio gave RD time to compose themselves, and Tom slotted the free as always before Martin reminded everyone that he was out for the man of the match award with his 4th from play. DISCLAIMER: I have no idea if Gahan dived or not, I was warming up.
“Brennan’s been a bit quiet”
-RD fan who will remain nameless in case Brennan kills him. (4:07pm)
The game was sealed by the big center forward (Who had a grip on his hurl and everything!) bursting through after good work by Eric and sending the deathstrike to the net to make it 2-16 to 2-9 and finally kill off the Mearnog resistance. (I’d also like to point out that he had in no way been quiet up to that point and that it was Danger who said it.). A super battling score from Ruairi Henchy and another from fellow substitute Frank Mc stretched the lead out to 10 and in the end the final score of 2-19 to 2-09 didn’t flatter RD, who were full value despite their second half lull. Nonetheless when the challenge came there was enough leadership to see us through and make it 2 semi finals for the club. Let’s hope to see the Dromas, Butlers, Warrens and Stones* of this world in 2 weeks’ time for the latest ‘Biggest day in the club’s history’!
*Apologies to anyone from “Friends of Realt Dearg” WhatsApp group who I didn’t mention, I can’t be typing all night.
Build Up
“Wouldn’t you love to be togging?”
-A team selector and RD captain for life Trevor Jackman (10:20am)
With his finger on the pulse of the club, as always, Trev summed up the atmosphere as the A panel went through their paces in the warmup. The sun was shining and the ground was hard, supporters were arriving in dribs and drabs clutching coffees and the odd chicken fillet roll, a perfect day of near perfect hurling awaited. James Aherne had a few of the best kind of selection headaches to work through with a strong 24 man panel to pick from.
“Where’s O’D?”
-Everyone (10:40am)
A minor hitch to the day early on, as one of the club’s many ‘Spiritual leaders’ (i.e. Sauce buckets) failed to show, leaving the club down one of its most reliable and unbiased umpiring options. An able replacement was soon found, Kieran ‘65’ O’Brien filling the void. With the officiating team set, the game got under way.
1st Half- Operation P.O.D.G.E
“It’s dropping short!”
-Ballyboden defender drastically underestimating Conor Maharaj’s range (11:05am)
A good start was a priority for the A team and they got it through scores from Shane Healy, Eoin O’Shea and an absolute boomer of a free from Maharaj inside his own half, to put us 0-3 to 0-1 ahead. Boden responded strongly and scores were hard to come by in the second quarter, Shane scoring the pick of them after great work by Mike O’Connor. Gaining possession in his own half back line, the Corkonian left not just his man, but also the poor, out of shape, jeans wearing linesman for dead as he burst up the field and sent over a peach to keep the Stars in the lead. Brendan ‘Don’t call him Shelbyville’ Costello added another, before the real star of the show made himself known.
“He only has 5 minutes left in him”
-The same Ballyboden defender drastically underestimating Podge’s stubbornness (11:20am)
Selected at midfield, Podge Buckley was the subject of several lit candles and novenas in the week leading up to the match, in the hope we could get a full 12 minutes out of him. We got all of that and more in a rampaging performance, as well as finally learning the true meaning of what P.O.D.G.E stands for (Plough Over Dubs, Gracefully & Effectively). The big man twice relieved pressure in his own half by winning totally legitimate frees that were-totally-frees-and-not-dives-shut-up. But it was going forward where he showed his true worth, sending ball after ball into the full forward line and bursting through the middle late in the first half, eventually sending the ball over the bar before aimlessly colliding with an innocent defender. In sharp contrast, his fellow Corkman Cathal Noonan powered through some questionable challenges, never showing any sign of feeling the effects. Upon having his health examined by the referee the wily Podge bought himself some time to regain his breath with the quote of the day:
“Will you give me a minute to get back out midfield?”
-Podge
Second Half- All hands on deck
“Who’s that lad coming on?”
-One of RD’s new recruits had no idea of the Matt Lynch-flavoured treat he was in for (11:40am)
We hear all year in training that you need a full panel to get anywhere in this sport, and RD started to make use of their strong bench with Matt making a welcome return to championship hurling, and his influence would be key as Boden started the second half strongly. Reeling in the lead, 5 unanswered points put the Southsiders into a slim 0-12 to 0-10 lead 6 minutes after the break.
“It’s dropping short”
-Boden defender who just wouldn’t learn his lesson (11:50am)
The stars hauled themselves back into the game as the backs got to grips with their opposite numbers, Ciaran Gough risking life and limb to get in a block at full stretch, before Maharaj pulled out his party piece and nailed a sideline from God knows what distance. The mighty Podge added another before the pride of Galway was called upon to enter the fray. (Also, Robbie came on). Hurney had hardly stepped on the pitch when he bamboozled the full back and shot over off his left to level the scores.
“Jesus, he’s still going!”
-I don’t know who said this. There was a lot going on. It might have been me (12:05pm)
What I know for sure is that it was in reference to Eoin O’Shea. Ballyboden had pulled ahead again by 2 points, and the restless crowd were beginning to get the feeling that a goal would be required if the Dearg were to stay in the game. Step forward O’Shea.
I know a lot happened in the build-up, but it was too frantic to remember exactly what. (Maybe Tarpey had a shot? Podge was in a hape out the field). The end result was the Kilkenny man found himself on the endline with a corner back between him and the goal. Eyeing up the defender, he fancied his chances, powering past before pulling out an audacious bat from a tight angle for one of the best and most important goals Drimnagh Castle has seen in it’s short few years as our home pitch. Maharaj and Healy added scores but Boden refused to die, a nifty corner forward coming into the game strongly (more on him later). The scores level at the death, and it took a monster catch from Costello to wrap things up and keep the home side alive, dragging us to extra time.
Extra Time
“What happens if it’s still a draw at the end?” John O’Callaghan
“Replay” James
“None of that 65s shite?” JOC
“No” James (12:15pm)
-JOC showing how unprepared we all were for extra-time
Prepared or not we got a dream start to extra time, Matt (Open to correction on who it was) winning a free from the throw in that Maharaj dispatched. Boden had their second purple patch through the remainder of the half though, Tarpey keeping us in the game with a score from a tight angle, leaving 2 points in it at half time, 0-23 to 1-18.
The last 10 minutes were a blur. Everyone was on the pitch, Philly O’Donnell was majestic, I personally abandoned all attempts at pretending to be an impartial linesman, Trev punched the air. Here’s what we know for sure was said:
“I’m 40 years of age, I won’t be making another bursht like that”
-The Gary Hurney mind**** in full effect after Robbie set him up for the next score. The poor full back must have believed him.
“I love you Shane!!!”
-Podge paid tribute to his hero after he got what looked like the winning score, set up by Niall O’Keefe’s superhuman strength in winning the ball back after his shot was blocked.
“WOOOOOOOO”
-Mike Richardson rallying the troops after his second heroic high catch in a minute, winning a free and relieving pressure after Boden equalised. As Rossi launched the free into the Ballyboden half, the blur faded into slow motion (and if anything suits Hurney at his age, it’s slow motion). The one bursht he had promised he wouldn’t make was timed immaculately to gather possession on the 45, and with barely a glance at the posts (and less than a glance at teammates calling for a pass) the strike over the left shoulder was sent sailing between the posts and the RD sideline was sent into delirium.
There was time for more, as Boden played the aforementioned troublemaker in the corner one last time in the hope of snatching a draw. But Brendan Walsh is too wily a corner back to be fooled by the same the same trick for a 10th time. There was a collection of further “woooooo”s as he got a block his enemy’s last throw of the dice, the ball finding its way to the 2 men James Aherne would have wanted most, Matt coolly gathering and looking outside to the tireless Maharaj (South America was good to him) who took off on one last run prompting the final whistle.
The celebrations were suitably chaotic on the sidelines and on the pitch, an absolute game for the ages and a standard of hurling as good as any you’ll see at any level*. Last word goes to Danger Deady, the RD veteran describing it as “as good a win as we’ve got” in the club’s ten-year existence. Roll on Fingallians at the field of Drims in 2 weeks. 60 minutes away from intermediate hurling… Droma and Lanigan, you may have created a monster.
*Philly and Podge are witness to this, Brendan later described it, oddly specifically, as a higher standard than Waterford intermediate 8 years ago. Which is good, I guess.
Intermission
“Grub?”
-B Team captain Niall Mullane was showing no signs of nerves between games (1:15pm)
As the few brave souls who opted to stick it out between games got slowly burnt to a crisp, Conor O Maharaj put his coaching hat on and took time from his busy day to soften up his fellow Dicksboro man when the ref arrived. The jovial atmosphere was soon shattered, however, when the opposition arrived sporting their knock off Kilkenny kit, sending the sizeable non-Kilkenny contingent among the B panel into a frenzy.
“Oh, he’s going to do damage today”
-Maybe not a quote, but a general consensus on the sideline after Martin Breathnach opened the scoring. (3:03 pm)
And do damage he did. Aided by his fellow forwards, Martin’s 2 points from play, added to by Gahan, Tom Kehoe and Brennan gave the B men the ideal start, before a long free from Tom found it’s way to the net thanks in no small part to Gahan and Eric swinging like windmills on the edge of the square. Naomh Mearnog rallied late in the half, with 2 points to head into the break at 1-7 to 0-5.
“I think Gavin O’Connell is my favourite hurler”
-Podge turning his back on Shane Healy (3:45pm)
Confidence was high in the 3rd quarter, summed up by Podge’s laid-back attitude to favourite hurler accolades. The RD backs came under some pressure but dealt with it with a minimum of fuss GOC, in particular keeping cool calm and collected like his hero David Meyler, who he bases his game on. Ronan Moloney, concussion-free and relieved to see O’D finally arrive, was showing why he’s considered the flamboyant one in this backline and Mullane was showing why he is considered better than Moloney. Martin opened the scoring with one of the scores of the game, batting a wayward shot into his path before slotting it over the bar over his left shoulder and his third from play. Gahan, Brennan and tom added to the lead and a monster from Gav Manifold prompted much “WOO-ing”. Even a Mearnog goal 10 minutes into the half didn’t look like it would turn the tide.
“10 outta 10 Gahan”
-James Aherne (4:00pm)
A second Mearnog goal, a long ball taking a deceptive wobble in the wind, rattled us briefly, and when the plucky Northsiders brought the lead back to 2, cool heads were needed. One man who can always be relied upon to keep his cool is former manager Gahan, and he came up with a big moment to break the opposition’s momentum. When a puck out fell uncontested on the opposition 45, a Hurney-esque burst got him to the ball first and a Podge-esque reaction won him a crucial free. The 2 minutes of physio gave RD time to compose themselves, and Tom slotted the free as always before Martin reminded everyone that he was out for the man of the match award with his 4th from play. DISCLAIMER: I have no idea if Gahan dived or not, I was warming up.
“Brennan’s been a bit quiet”
-RD fan who will remain nameless in case Brennan kills him. (4:07pm)
The game was sealed by the big center forward (Who had a grip on his hurl and everything!) bursting through after good work by Eric and sending the deathstrike to the net to make it 2-16 to 2-9 and finally kill off the Mearnog resistance. (I’d also like to point out that he had in no way been quiet up to that point and that it was Danger who said it.). A super battling score from Ruairi Henchy and another from fellow substitute Frank Mc stretched the lead out to 10 and in the end the final score of 2-19 to 2-09 didn’t flatter RD, who were full value despite their second half lull. Nonetheless when the challenge came there was enough leadership to see us through and make it 2 semi finals for the club. Let’s hope to see the Dromas, Butlers, Warrens and Stones* of this world in 2 weeks’ time for the latest ‘Biggest day in the club’s history’!
*Apologies to anyone from “Friends of Realt Dearg” WhatsApp group who I didn’t mention, I can’t be typing all night.
4/5 ain't bad as stars' season goes from strength to strength
The season is kicking into overdrive on the fields of Dublin and RD had a big week leading up to father's day, with all 3 teams taking to
the field for 5 games that saw a total of 18 goals and a number of points I can't even begin to be bothered calculating.
A team fight back to book knockout place
Junior A Championship
Realt Dearg 2-15 Lucan Sarsfields 0-18
Realt Dearg's trailblazing A team took another huge step forward in the club's history with a battling win against Lucan Sarsfields on
Tuesday night. With team jester Eoin O'Dwyer consigned to the umpire role after showing his true colours (Ginger) last time out, RD would
have been forgiven for giving up all hope and giving the walkover.
Even O'D's questionable umpiring couldn't slow down the Sarsfields march early on, as the Lucan side raced into a 0-7 to 0-1 lead. Eoin
O'Shea and John Tarpey, (Controversially poached from the C team after being made look like a hero by Kieran Parrock) led the resistance in the half forward line, winning some hard ball to keep the Stars in the game, and O'Shea opened the team's account to begin the fightback.
Exactly what rate the fightback progressed at is open to debate, as the designated viber updater was struggling to multi-task, but what we
know for sure is that Bryan Rossiter and Ciaran Gough did what they do best to keep the Lucan attack at bay. (i.e Bryan was cool, calm and
collected and hit immaculate puck outs, Gough pulled and slashed at everything like he was fighting his way through the Vietnamese
jungle.) Meanwhile, up the other end, Hurney, Eoin and Tarpey all chipped in to haul RD back into the game. The Stars hauled themselves into the driver's seat when O' Shea got a tasty flick on a Conor Maharaj sideline to turn the game on its head. Inspired by the goal RD drove on, with Shane Healy outstanding as ever from the placed ball, to lead 1-7 to 0-9 at half time.
Records are a little clearer from this point on, as O'D discovered the scoreboard at half time, and his fun little evening continued at half
time as he attempted to decapitate the referee in 'Passing' him the ball. Hurney got the scoreboard ticking over in the second half, and
the intensity was dialled up a notch from that point on with both teams sensing how critical the 2 points would be for their season. The
teams went point for point and the RD backline were heroic in keeping the net intact, as we entered the last 5 minutes on level terms. (Give
or take, we're not entirely sure we trust the scoreboard). Coach JA, (new nickname I'm trying out) made use of his subs, with team Mike
(Heffernan and O'Connor) introduced to good effect and Ian Kelleher coming in and taking his first chance to add to the score. A goal was
always going to swing the game one way or another, and it arrived in either bizarre or stunning circumstances with a few minutes left.
With the ball heading wide, some say that the Lucan corner back made an unusual attempt to gather, some (Gough) say that Hurney
somersaulted over his man and stretched to get the faintest touch on the seemingly lost cause. All we know for sure is that the Lucan
goalie was beaten all ends up and the Stars had something to hold on to.*
*Hurney was unavailable for comment
There was still time for some late drama as Lucan surged forward to save their season. Sensing his opportunity, Mike 'Smash' Richardson
was having none of it, intervening with his patented head block to preserve the clean sheet and secure a place in the knockout rounds.
Combined with a certain other club losing a certain other game to end up in a certain relegation battle, Realt Dearg's progression to a
Junior A quarter final ten years into the club's history meant smiles on faces all round and started a huge week off on a positive note.
The As were out again on Sunday morning against St.Finians in Drimnagh and added to the good feeling with a 5-17 to 2-13 win. Mercifully restored to the starting team after his endline antics on Tuesday, O'D chipped in with what Podge swears was his first ever point and Maharaj, Healy and Mike Heffernan bagged goals to add to a double from Jamie O'Hara to complete the rout and haul the Stars back into contention in Division 5.
PS. Apparently Podge got a point at some stage over the 2 games. Go Podge <3
Sylvesters Skivered
Junior E Championship
Realt Dearg 0-24 St.Sylvesters 1-7
Attention turned to Junior E on Thursday night, with the Bs hoping to book a second quarter final for the club. Cathal Noonan made
his debut and Tom Quille was repositioned to center back in a new look half back line and they were instrumental in establishing a strong
foothold in the game. After an even opening which left the score at 0-3 0-3, Conor Maharaj's team took control led by Colm Gahan scoring
a boomer of a point. The score was soon followed by the arrival of the patched up Mike Smash on the sideline and the sight of his war
wounds was no doubt enough to drive the team on. Tom Kehoe extended the lead throughout the first half from placed balls and the forwards started to link up stylishly, fashion icon Richie Kelly denied a wonder goal by the post sandwiched between his two first half points.
0-13 to 1-3 at half time was an accurate reflection and Realt Dearg didn't let up in the second half. Gahan showed exactly what was
expected of his teammates when the ref showed some doubt about his early second half effort, using surprisingly child-friendly language
when insisting the ball was "two foot inside the post". But the true high point of the week came mid second half. Ciaran
Brennan has always been a man for the spectacular, arriving for games at various points without a grip on his hurl or padding in his helmet
(Jamie swears he once replied to an availability email from an 'eircom.net' account) but he cemented his cult hero status when
providing John O'Callaghan's 'Shucky ducky quack quack' moment of the match. 40 yards out according to JOC, 50 yards out according to Gough, on his own 21 yard line as far as I'm concerned, Brennan thought it too conventional to bother catching a handpass, choosing to lean back and catch the ball on the double and send it sailing between the posts. Reports suggest the Sylvester's center back made his way to the
sideline shortly after and asked for a transfer to 'Some county where Ciaran Brennan will never play'. Kelly kept the pressure on and Noonan got his first score for the club in the dying minutes to leave the final score at 0-24 to 1-7. September hurling is now secured and with Cuala slipping up against Naomh Barrog, top spot is not out of the question for the B Sharps, quite the turnaround from last year's
relegation scare.
A second battle of the year with Cuala rounded off the week for the Bs, and another belter of a match once again ended up in a narrow win for the evil empire on a scoreline of 4-17 to 4-13. Noone gave me any info on this match and I was busy chasing the Wild Geese no.17 around the county Meath border, so if you scored a goal/ played well/ did something 'No Fault' worthy in this game, please let me know and I'll edit it into the report.
Geese Plucked
AHL Division 9
Realt Dearg 0-11 Wild Geese 0-9
And so on to the main event of the week, as the Tarpey-less C team trekked halfway to Lapland for a meeting with Wild Geese. Having come close against the same opposition last year (Undone by this goose of a reporter shooting approximately 67 wides) hopes were high that a second win in 3 games was well within our reach.
Further encouragement arrived in the form of Kieran Parrock arriving stylishly late, missing the warm up as gracefully as he hits a 65.
Rumours abounded pre-match of the gosling stationed at no.12 for the opposition and the havoc he wreaked in the previous fixture between these sides, so old reliable man marker Kev McEvoy was tasked with keeping the danger man under wraps.
The conditions, described as 'arse sweat' by the Geese center forward, made life uncomfortable as both side's fitness was tested by the heat, but some assured play by the RD backline provided Parrock and Stephen Geary with just enough opportunities to get the scoreboard moving in RD's favour.
As the teams matched each other almost score for score, one of the key moments of the game arrived when yours truly flapped (Does that count as a goose pun?) at a ball over the top leaving the energetic Geese midfielder with a clear shot on goal, only to see his effort stopped by an egg-straordinary save by Bernard. Changing ends at 0-5 a piece and with the wind to come, hopes were high as Cillian 'Babs' Thornton and Gav Deacon were introduced at half time, because apparently the team wasn't ignorant enough already.
With the wind at their backs and picking up (in our favour for once) the confidence on the RD side grew, and as the frustration grew among the opposition, Parrock's accuracy from the placed ball edged the plucky Stars ahead. (Ignore the fact that their growing frustration stemmed mainly from the lively Brian Finn breaking out an Undertaker-style Cactus Clothesline move on an advancing wing forward.)
With a slim lead and the finish line In sight, a massive effort was required late on, and all of the frustration of the C teams hard luck stories came through and aided a supreme effort in the closing stages. Billy Brazil covered supremely and relieved the pressure winning countless (well, at least two) frees, Domhnail Carberry lorded the skies and got so excited once he forgot to hit the ball, and Dave Sheehan ruined the rest of his career by having a stormer at full back.
The forwards, and midfield pair of Finn and Mick Conlon, ran themselves into the ground, ensuring nothing easy came out of the Wild Geese defense and the game ended on a well executed shoulder on the notorious no.12 which bizarrely resulted in a yellow card. No matter though as the final whistle saw the sides finish on the sweetest of scorelines:
RD 0-11 Wild Geese 0-9. Well done to all involved as the C men look to push on and bust all known records with a 3 win season.
the field for 5 games that saw a total of 18 goals and a number of points I can't even begin to be bothered calculating.
A team fight back to book knockout place
Junior A Championship
Realt Dearg 2-15 Lucan Sarsfields 0-18
Realt Dearg's trailblazing A team took another huge step forward in the club's history with a battling win against Lucan Sarsfields on
Tuesday night. With team jester Eoin O'Dwyer consigned to the umpire role after showing his true colours (Ginger) last time out, RD would
have been forgiven for giving up all hope and giving the walkover.
Even O'D's questionable umpiring couldn't slow down the Sarsfields march early on, as the Lucan side raced into a 0-7 to 0-1 lead. Eoin
O'Shea and John Tarpey, (Controversially poached from the C team after being made look like a hero by Kieran Parrock) led the resistance in the half forward line, winning some hard ball to keep the Stars in the game, and O'Shea opened the team's account to begin the fightback.
Exactly what rate the fightback progressed at is open to debate, as the designated viber updater was struggling to multi-task, but what we
know for sure is that Bryan Rossiter and Ciaran Gough did what they do best to keep the Lucan attack at bay. (i.e Bryan was cool, calm and
collected and hit immaculate puck outs, Gough pulled and slashed at everything like he was fighting his way through the Vietnamese
jungle.) Meanwhile, up the other end, Hurney, Eoin and Tarpey all chipped in to haul RD back into the game. The Stars hauled themselves into the driver's seat when O' Shea got a tasty flick on a Conor Maharaj sideline to turn the game on its head. Inspired by the goal RD drove on, with Shane Healy outstanding as ever from the placed ball, to lead 1-7 to 0-9 at half time.
Records are a little clearer from this point on, as O'D discovered the scoreboard at half time, and his fun little evening continued at half
time as he attempted to decapitate the referee in 'Passing' him the ball. Hurney got the scoreboard ticking over in the second half, and
the intensity was dialled up a notch from that point on with both teams sensing how critical the 2 points would be for their season. The
teams went point for point and the RD backline were heroic in keeping the net intact, as we entered the last 5 minutes on level terms. (Give
or take, we're not entirely sure we trust the scoreboard). Coach JA, (new nickname I'm trying out) made use of his subs, with team Mike
(Heffernan and O'Connor) introduced to good effect and Ian Kelleher coming in and taking his first chance to add to the score. A goal was
always going to swing the game one way or another, and it arrived in either bizarre or stunning circumstances with a few minutes left.
With the ball heading wide, some say that the Lucan corner back made an unusual attempt to gather, some (Gough) say that Hurney
somersaulted over his man and stretched to get the faintest touch on the seemingly lost cause. All we know for sure is that the Lucan
goalie was beaten all ends up and the Stars had something to hold on to.*
*Hurney was unavailable for comment
There was still time for some late drama as Lucan surged forward to save their season. Sensing his opportunity, Mike 'Smash' Richardson
was having none of it, intervening with his patented head block to preserve the clean sheet and secure a place in the knockout rounds.
Combined with a certain other club losing a certain other game to end up in a certain relegation battle, Realt Dearg's progression to a
Junior A quarter final ten years into the club's history meant smiles on faces all round and started a huge week off on a positive note.
The As were out again on Sunday morning against St.Finians in Drimnagh and added to the good feeling with a 5-17 to 2-13 win. Mercifully restored to the starting team after his endline antics on Tuesday, O'D chipped in with what Podge swears was his first ever point and Maharaj, Healy and Mike Heffernan bagged goals to add to a double from Jamie O'Hara to complete the rout and haul the Stars back into contention in Division 5.
PS. Apparently Podge got a point at some stage over the 2 games. Go Podge <3
Sylvesters Skivered
Junior E Championship
Realt Dearg 0-24 St.Sylvesters 1-7
Attention turned to Junior E on Thursday night, with the Bs hoping to book a second quarter final for the club. Cathal Noonan made
his debut and Tom Quille was repositioned to center back in a new look half back line and they were instrumental in establishing a strong
foothold in the game. After an even opening which left the score at 0-3 0-3, Conor Maharaj's team took control led by Colm Gahan scoring
a boomer of a point. The score was soon followed by the arrival of the patched up Mike Smash on the sideline and the sight of his war
wounds was no doubt enough to drive the team on. Tom Kehoe extended the lead throughout the first half from placed balls and the forwards started to link up stylishly, fashion icon Richie Kelly denied a wonder goal by the post sandwiched between his two first half points.
0-13 to 1-3 at half time was an accurate reflection and Realt Dearg didn't let up in the second half. Gahan showed exactly what was
expected of his teammates when the ref showed some doubt about his early second half effort, using surprisingly child-friendly language
when insisting the ball was "two foot inside the post". But the true high point of the week came mid second half. Ciaran
Brennan has always been a man for the spectacular, arriving for games at various points without a grip on his hurl or padding in his helmet
(Jamie swears he once replied to an availability email from an 'eircom.net' account) but he cemented his cult hero status when
providing John O'Callaghan's 'Shucky ducky quack quack' moment of the match. 40 yards out according to JOC, 50 yards out according to Gough, on his own 21 yard line as far as I'm concerned, Brennan thought it too conventional to bother catching a handpass, choosing to lean back and catch the ball on the double and send it sailing between the posts. Reports suggest the Sylvester's center back made his way to the
sideline shortly after and asked for a transfer to 'Some county where Ciaran Brennan will never play'. Kelly kept the pressure on and Noonan got his first score for the club in the dying minutes to leave the final score at 0-24 to 1-7. September hurling is now secured and with Cuala slipping up against Naomh Barrog, top spot is not out of the question for the B Sharps, quite the turnaround from last year's
relegation scare.
A second battle of the year with Cuala rounded off the week for the Bs, and another belter of a match once again ended up in a narrow win for the evil empire on a scoreline of 4-17 to 4-13. Noone gave me any info on this match and I was busy chasing the Wild Geese no.17 around the county Meath border, so if you scored a goal/ played well/ did something 'No Fault' worthy in this game, please let me know and I'll edit it into the report.
Geese Plucked
AHL Division 9
Realt Dearg 0-11 Wild Geese 0-9
And so on to the main event of the week, as the Tarpey-less C team trekked halfway to Lapland for a meeting with Wild Geese. Having come close against the same opposition last year (Undone by this goose of a reporter shooting approximately 67 wides) hopes were high that a second win in 3 games was well within our reach.
Further encouragement arrived in the form of Kieran Parrock arriving stylishly late, missing the warm up as gracefully as he hits a 65.
Rumours abounded pre-match of the gosling stationed at no.12 for the opposition and the havoc he wreaked in the previous fixture between these sides, so old reliable man marker Kev McEvoy was tasked with keeping the danger man under wraps.
The conditions, described as 'arse sweat' by the Geese center forward, made life uncomfortable as both side's fitness was tested by the heat, but some assured play by the RD backline provided Parrock and Stephen Geary with just enough opportunities to get the scoreboard moving in RD's favour.
As the teams matched each other almost score for score, one of the key moments of the game arrived when yours truly flapped (Does that count as a goose pun?) at a ball over the top leaving the energetic Geese midfielder with a clear shot on goal, only to see his effort stopped by an egg-straordinary save by Bernard. Changing ends at 0-5 a piece and with the wind to come, hopes were high as Cillian 'Babs' Thornton and Gav Deacon were introduced at half time, because apparently the team wasn't ignorant enough already.
With the wind at their backs and picking up (in our favour for once) the confidence on the RD side grew, and as the frustration grew among the opposition, Parrock's accuracy from the placed ball edged the plucky Stars ahead. (Ignore the fact that their growing frustration stemmed mainly from the lively Brian Finn breaking out an Undertaker-style Cactus Clothesline move on an advancing wing forward.)
With a slim lead and the finish line In sight, a massive effort was required late on, and all of the frustration of the C teams hard luck stories came through and aided a supreme effort in the closing stages. Billy Brazil covered supremely and relieved the pressure winning countless (well, at least two) frees, Domhnail Carberry lorded the skies and got so excited once he forgot to hit the ball, and Dave Sheehan ruined the rest of his career by having a stormer at full back.
The forwards, and midfield pair of Finn and Mick Conlon, ran themselves into the ground, ensuring nothing easy came out of the Wild Geese defense and the game ended on a well executed shoulder on the notorious no.12 which bizarrely resulted in a yellow card. No matter though as the final whistle saw the sides finish on the sweetest of scorelines:
RD 0-11 Wild Geese 0-9. Well done to all involved as the C men look to push on and bust all known records with a 3 win season.
STARS AVENGE PAST DEFEATS IN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
*Match report may contain Avengers spoilers, but you don't care about
that, because you're not a massive nerd, are you?
Junior A Championship: Realt Dearg 1-19 Faughs 1-6
Drimnagh Castle's mightiest heroes took to the field in the Junior A
and Junior E championships with revenge on their minds. First up was
the Dublin 6 derby, as the A team hosted Faughs, a team who have
consistently gotten in the way of our world domination plots. Worse
still, it was from Faughs that the ultimate Hollywood villain, Danger
Deady, emerged to sully our fine club, so we really, truly owed them
one.
With all new recruits now nicely settled in , the stars took to the
field with a strong team, and their Marvel-ous lineup started strongly
in the midday throw in. Marvel buffs will tell you that Doctor Strange is able to turn back time on
the big screen, but there's nothing strange about seeing Gary Hurney
roll back the years and the Galwayman opened the scoring with 2 points
from play early on. (Hurney's strangeness off the field remains an issue.)
Shane Healy was going full Pat Horgan on frees and Bryan
'Hawkeye' Rossiter kept the attack humming nicely with immaculate
puckouts. (Hawkeye is the superhero fella with the bow and arrow, not
the dodgy Croke Park technology. Although that Hawkeye was pretty
heroic in denying Tipp an All Ireland in 2014.)
The Iron Men in the backs were keeping Faughs at bay, led by Captain
Waterford Brendan Walsh. Rossi was eventually beaten after a number of
fine saves with a Faughs goal to cut the lead to 0-7 to 1-0 after 20
minutes. Hearts were in mouths as Podge Buckley entered the action,
given his injury history and the rumours that one of the most popular
players was going to be killed off in this game. Thankfully Podge was
never popular and he was soon re-replaced by his hero Shane, who
resumed where he had left off, keeping the scores ticking over. Robbie
'Baby Hulk' Madden popped up with a score from play to make it 0-11 to
1-2 at half time.
Brendan 'Shelbyville' Costelloe entered the fray at half time and RD
continued to dominate, extending their lead in the opening
minutes, until things almost went off the rails after 35 minutes.
Some say that the Faughs wing forward had spent the first half
whispering Avengers spoilers in O'D's ear, some say that there were negative words about O'D's 'Special friend' Ronan Moloney, but
either way, Limerick's most talented ginger was over enthusiastic in
his use of the tackle, leaving his marker laid out on the ground. But
O'D is a gentle soul and as he rushed over to apologise his eagerness
led him to 'trip' and accidentally come in to contact with his
opponent in a Conor McGregor meets Cian Lynch kind of way. The
misunderstanding saw RD drop to 14 men and a reshuffle brought Mike
O'Connor onto the field to shore up the backs.
The stars needed to weather the storm and Bryan broke out his best
Black Panther impression with a trilogy of saves, before a Faughs
penalty was blazed over. The keeper and his fellow Guardians of the
Goal-axy in the full back line made sure Faughs never got back into it
before Hurney, Mike Heffernan and Eoin O Shea steadied the ship with
points to push out the lead.
But closing out a 9 point win with solid
defense isn't very Hollywood, and manager James Aherne clearly agrees,
so he knew exactly where to go for his blockbuster finish. Every
series needs a deep-voiced, full bearded hero and substitute Thor
O'Keefe brought down the hammer on the game with a late goal for a
final score of 1-19 to 1-6.
Next up for the A team is Ballinteer in a huge game where both teams
will be looking to record their second win in the quest to reach a
county final Endgame.
Junior E Championship: Realt Dearg 4-14 Fingallians 0-10
The second game of the day took place way up North, with Coach Maharaj
and the Bs taking on a Fingallians team that dished out a skivering
(Ask Jamie O'Hara what it means) to the Dearg's C men in last years
Junior F championship. With Batman Maharaj and Robin O'Hara on the line
the Bs had a strong panel to pick from and had high hopes of making it
2 wins from 2.
(Anyone who points out that they aren't Avengers characters can go
write their own damn match report)
Most of the fans in attendance would have finished their popcorn by
the time the main feature started, the referee clearly in need of some
of Hurney's time altering ability, strolling up casually at 3.15.
Reports that he was seen binning a chicken fillet roll wrapper and
empty lucozade bottle remain unconfirmed.
The Stars were well warmed up by the time the ball was thrown in, with
the exception of one or two of the wiser old heads who opted to
receive some 'Much needed' physio during the rigorous bonus warm up.
Foldi Man sounds like it could be a superhero name and his human alter
ego Gav Manifold donned his cape in the opening minute, bursting
through the defence and rifling over the bar to give RD a great start.
And things got even better when Eric Lee's goal scoring spidey-sense
tingled and he got on the end of a long ball and finished beautifully
to the net. The real Captain America celebrated the definite high
point of his eventful week with a fatherly fist pump as the opening of
'I love it when you call me big Poppa' could be heard coming form the
clubhouse. Half backs Colin Swanton, Niall Mullane and debutant Tom
Quille were driving the team on and some impressive link up play from
the forwards brought points from Ultan, Tom and Gav.
Colm 'You won't like him when he's angry' Gahan was in danger of
turning green early in the game when a couple of balls barely missed
his hand but two points in the space of a few minutes at the end of
the half kept his hulkish tendencies in check. Fingallians had the
chance to grab some momentum back with a goal chance but super
defending from Gav O'Connell in front of the goal keep the lead intact
and added even more to the Stars' early momentum, exemplified by
Mailman Moloney's roars of “Defenders---ASSEMBLE” to accompany his
Hollywood clearances. Tom Kehoe took on the hawkeye mantle and
extended the lead to make it 1-9 to 0-6 at half time.
With such a good team performance in the first half the chances of a
disappointing sequel were always there, but the introduction of
a new character always helps to keep audiences interested. The big
reveal came 5 minutes into the second half. John Tarpey, returning
from an injury resulting from, in his own words, “too much ass” ( or
possibly astro) decided against easing himself into the game, latching
onto a pass from Richie Kelly and powering through the defence to lash
to the net. Sensing that he wasn't anybodies favourite half-forward
line superhero anymore, Manifold Man set off on another rampaging run,
bursting through a forest of hurls and flailing arms and finishing
into the bottom corner. Most people still preferred Tarpey's goal though, he
just did it with more Pizazz.
With the lead out to 10, RD symbolically introduced the worst player
from that C team defeat and created a goal chance for him to complete
the redemption story. The substitute, who shall remain nameless, took
pity on his enemies and opted to stylishly tap the ball over the bar
after Martin Breathnach's mazy run and handpass. Clearly enraged,
Martin wasn't in the mood for passing the next time he found himself
in on goal. Seeing the chance to silence the unbearably mouthy keeper
and bury the game with one swoop, he went the direct route and drew
the challenge before flicking the ball to the net and sending the no.1, and his superhuman ability to talk shite, tumbling to the ground.
There was time for a final scene, as our brave leader Moloney leapt to
the defence of his fellow corner back after some particularly dickish
behaviour from the opposition corner forward. The referee dished out
two yellow cards and play moved on, but Ronan is too brave and
inspirational to accept a surrender and peace treaty, and joined his
big bro O'D in the bad books after a second incident with the elderly
villain 12 seconds later.
So although it ended on a cranky note, the 4-14 to 0-10 final score
was an accurate reflection of a superb all round performance from the
Bs, which should assure late summer hurling. Ronan should be back in
Bruce Banner form for the top of the table clash with the evil empire
Cuala in 2 weeks, where'll there will be more revenge at stake.
Seriously though, can't you totally see Moloney as one of the Avengers
with a blue and yellow hurl and a helmet that has a massive 'Captain
Clare' logo on it? He'd definitely be killed off though. He always has
to be the hero.
that, because you're not a massive nerd, are you?
Junior A Championship: Realt Dearg 1-19 Faughs 1-6
Drimnagh Castle's mightiest heroes took to the field in the Junior A
and Junior E championships with revenge on their minds. First up was
the Dublin 6 derby, as the A team hosted Faughs, a team who have
consistently gotten in the way of our world domination plots. Worse
still, it was from Faughs that the ultimate Hollywood villain, Danger
Deady, emerged to sully our fine club, so we really, truly owed them
one.
With all new recruits now nicely settled in , the stars took to the
field with a strong team, and their Marvel-ous lineup started strongly
in the midday throw in. Marvel buffs will tell you that Doctor Strange is able to turn back time on
the big screen, but there's nothing strange about seeing Gary Hurney
roll back the years and the Galwayman opened the scoring with 2 points
from play early on. (Hurney's strangeness off the field remains an issue.)
Shane Healy was going full Pat Horgan on frees and Bryan
'Hawkeye' Rossiter kept the attack humming nicely with immaculate
puckouts. (Hawkeye is the superhero fella with the bow and arrow, not
the dodgy Croke Park technology. Although that Hawkeye was pretty
heroic in denying Tipp an All Ireland in 2014.)
The Iron Men in the backs were keeping Faughs at bay, led by Captain
Waterford Brendan Walsh. Rossi was eventually beaten after a number of
fine saves with a Faughs goal to cut the lead to 0-7 to 1-0 after 20
minutes. Hearts were in mouths as Podge Buckley entered the action,
given his injury history and the rumours that one of the most popular
players was going to be killed off in this game. Thankfully Podge was
never popular and he was soon re-replaced by his hero Shane, who
resumed where he had left off, keeping the scores ticking over. Robbie
'Baby Hulk' Madden popped up with a score from play to make it 0-11 to
1-2 at half time.
Brendan 'Shelbyville' Costelloe entered the fray at half time and RD
continued to dominate, extending their lead in the opening
minutes, until things almost went off the rails after 35 minutes.
Some say that the Faughs wing forward had spent the first half
whispering Avengers spoilers in O'D's ear, some say that there were negative words about O'D's 'Special friend' Ronan Moloney, but
either way, Limerick's most talented ginger was over enthusiastic in
his use of the tackle, leaving his marker laid out on the ground. But
O'D is a gentle soul and as he rushed over to apologise his eagerness
led him to 'trip' and accidentally come in to contact with his
opponent in a Conor McGregor meets Cian Lynch kind of way. The
misunderstanding saw RD drop to 14 men and a reshuffle brought Mike
O'Connor onto the field to shore up the backs.
The stars needed to weather the storm and Bryan broke out his best
Black Panther impression with a trilogy of saves, before a Faughs
penalty was blazed over. The keeper and his fellow Guardians of the
Goal-axy in the full back line made sure Faughs never got back into it
before Hurney, Mike Heffernan and Eoin O Shea steadied the ship with
points to push out the lead.
But closing out a 9 point win with solid
defense isn't very Hollywood, and manager James Aherne clearly agrees,
so he knew exactly where to go for his blockbuster finish. Every
series needs a deep-voiced, full bearded hero and substitute Thor
O'Keefe brought down the hammer on the game with a late goal for a
final score of 1-19 to 1-6.
Next up for the A team is Ballinteer in a huge game where both teams
will be looking to record their second win in the quest to reach a
county final Endgame.
Junior E Championship: Realt Dearg 4-14 Fingallians 0-10
The second game of the day took place way up North, with Coach Maharaj
and the Bs taking on a Fingallians team that dished out a skivering
(Ask Jamie O'Hara what it means) to the Dearg's C men in last years
Junior F championship. With Batman Maharaj and Robin O'Hara on the line
the Bs had a strong panel to pick from and had high hopes of making it
2 wins from 2.
(Anyone who points out that they aren't Avengers characters can go
write their own damn match report)
Most of the fans in attendance would have finished their popcorn by
the time the main feature started, the referee clearly in need of some
of Hurney's time altering ability, strolling up casually at 3.15.
Reports that he was seen binning a chicken fillet roll wrapper and
empty lucozade bottle remain unconfirmed.
The Stars were well warmed up by the time the ball was thrown in, with
the exception of one or two of the wiser old heads who opted to
receive some 'Much needed' physio during the rigorous bonus warm up.
Foldi Man sounds like it could be a superhero name and his human alter
ego Gav Manifold donned his cape in the opening minute, bursting
through the defence and rifling over the bar to give RD a great start.
And things got even better when Eric Lee's goal scoring spidey-sense
tingled and he got on the end of a long ball and finished beautifully
to the net. The real Captain America celebrated the definite high
point of his eventful week with a fatherly fist pump as the opening of
'I love it when you call me big Poppa' could be heard coming form the
clubhouse. Half backs Colin Swanton, Niall Mullane and debutant Tom
Quille were driving the team on and some impressive link up play from
the forwards brought points from Ultan, Tom and Gav.
Colm 'You won't like him when he's angry' Gahan was in danger of
turning green early in the game when a couple of balls barely missed
his hand but two points in the space of a few minutes at the end of
the half kept his hulkish tendencies in check. Fingallians had the
chance to grab some momentum back with a goal chance but super
defending from Gav O'Connell in front of the goal keep the lead intact
and added even more to the Stars' early momentum, exemplified by
Mailman Moloney's roars of “Defenders---ASSEMBLE” to accompany his
Hollywood clearances. Tom Kehoe took on the hawkeye mantle and
extended the lead to make it 1-9 to 0-6 at half time.
With such a good team performance in the first half the chances of a
disappointing sequel were always there, but the introduction of
a new character always helps to keep audiences interested. The big
reveal came 5 minutes into the second half. John Tarpey, returning
from an injury resulting from, in his own words, “too much ass” ( or
possibly astro) decided against easing himself into the game, latching
onto a pass from Richie Kelly and powering through the defence to lash
to the net. Sensing that he wasn't anybodies favourite half-forward
line superhero anymore, Manifold Man set off on another rampaging run,
bursting through a forest of hurls and flailing arms and finishing
into the bottom corner. Most people still preferred Tarpey's goal though, he
just did it with more Pizazz.
With the lead out to 10, RD symbolically introduced the worst player
from that C team defeat and created a goal chance for him to complete
the redemption story. The substitute, who shall remain nameless, took
pity on his enemies and opted to stylishly tap the ball over the bar
after Martin Breathnach's mazy run and handpass. Clearly enraged,
Martin wasn't in the mood for passing the next time he found himself
in on goal. Seeing the chance to silence the unbearably mouthy keeper
and bury the game with one swoop, he went the direct route and drew
the challenge before flicking the ball to the net and sending the no.1, and his superhuman ability to talk shite, tumbling to the ground.
There was time for a final scene, as our brave leader Moloney leapt to
the defence of his fellow corner back after some particularly dickish
behaviour from the opposition corner forward. The referee dished out
two yellow cards and play moved on, but Ronan is too brave and
inspirational to accept a surrender and peace treaty, and joined his
big bro O'D in the bad books after a second incident with the elderly
villain 12 seconds later.
So although it ended on a cranky note, the 4-14 to 0-10 final score
was an accurate reflection of a superb all round performance from the
Bs, which should assure late summer hurling. Ronan should be back in
Bruce Banner form for the top of the table clash with the evil empire
Cuala in 2 weeks, where'll there will be more revenge at stake.
Seriously though, can't you totally see Moloney as one of the Avengers
with a blue and yellow hurl and a helmet that has a massive 'Captain
Clare' logo on it? He'd definitely be killed off though. He always has
to be the hero.
out of this world excitement in junior leagues
An Extraterrestrial arriving in Ireland last weekend and looking to learn more about our planet's greatest game would likely have been sent to Nowlan Park to see some of its greatest players in action. But our curious alien (Let's call him Podge-iax) would have been better served coming along to the trilogy of Réalt Dearg matches taking place on the fields of south Dublin, where he would have seen 14 goals, 80 points, heroic displays by the bucketful and all manner of zany events. And to cap it all, he could have reported home about hurling's highs and lows, with RD racking up a win, a draw and a defeat.
Realt Dearg A 1-18 Craobh Chiarain
Hurling was the real winner in Drimnagh Castle, but in a much more significant and real way, Réalt Dearg A were the winners. Taking the field in their new ludicrously tight jerseys, the stars went about taking advantage of the wind in the first half, but initially found the Craobh Chiarain defence a tough but to crack, as the game went point for point in the opening quarter.
Sensing the need to built a half time cushion, the stars drove on in the minutes before half time, driven on by goals from Paudie and Brendan Costello. B team management duo Conor Maharaj and Jamie O' Hara tacked on points for a 2-13 to 0-6 half time score. The lead could have been more but for a string of fine saves by the CC goalkeeper, who looked unbeatable until the selfless Podge Buckley took one for the team, heroically running headfirst into the keepers knee, rattling him for the remainder of the game. New recruit Eoin O'Shea and budding fashion designer Robbie "Frog" Madden were running the opposition ragged in the middle of the park, but manager James "take your steps" Aherne would have been under no illusions about the task facing his team against the wind in the second half.
As Craobh Chiarain edged their way back, some heroic defending managed to limited them to points, while at the other end Gary Hurney and Jamie were denied goals to make the game safe. The battling nature of the performance was encapsulated by the never say die attitude of Waterford's loudest man 2015 winner Brendan Walsh, heroically booting his way up the sideline among a forest of hurls with a run Lionel Messi would be proud of. After one of the more aggressive pulls across Brendan's feet, the referee was heard to comment to his linesman, "Let it go, a man running that fast has no time for a free"
So it was that despite some fine free taking, the visitors were kept at arms length, eventually breaching the defense for an injury time goal, the ball forced over after a fine save by Bryan Rossiter. Ultimately it was too little too late and the RD back 7 were rewarded for their battles against the wind as CC ran out of time and the points were kept in Drimnagh.
Realt Dearg 3-11 Lucan Sarsfields 2-14
There was a lot to draw from in this entertaining game played in what appeared to be glorious sunny conditions on Sunday morning but turned quite chilly come match time. Not for our esteemed Chairman Kieran “Mushie” O’Brien who committed early to the jersey and
shorts attire and steadfastly stuck with it even with mild pneumonia kicking in standing on the sideline beside your humble narrator. And he dead right some would say.
After a lively tit for tat opening with points traded on both sides, Rory O’Loughlin rifled a sweet stuck ball into the roof of the net. The referee was kept busy galloping up and down the length of the field in this busy opening period to record the various scores. A real head Turner performance. A further flurry of scores followed from both sides when Ciaran Brennan executed a delightful improvised backhand topspin volley into the top corner of the net. It was pointed out to your humble narrator that Ciaran neither has padding in his helmet or a grip on his hurl. So the next time you are stuck with one of those hurling bores – you know who you are Tipp people – telling you about the hard men they knew back in the day, tell them of the beasht of the Dearg half forward line that rejected modern comfort and embraced the chaffing, slings and arrows of outrageous hurling.
The second half continued in the same vein, Realt Dearg built up an impressive lead thanks to more points from Gavin Manifold, T-Bone Keogh and Ciaran Brennan. Rory got a second goal. I can’t tell you much about it as it was quite cold and I was trying to uncover more
information about a story I had read that morning about a Munster player receiving sustained online abuse that the guards are investigating. If anyone has any updates, please send any information via the club press office where it will eventually reach me. Lucan eventually
clawed back the draw in the end. No fault!
RD Team: Martin Breathnach, Kieran O'Brien, Caoimhin Concannon, Gavan Manifold, Richie Kelly, Liam Henchy, Niall Mullane, Ultan Dillon, Colin Swanton, Ronan Moloney, Eric Lee, Billy Brazil, Tom Kehoe, Rory O';Loughlin, Paul Lynch, Ciaran Brennan, Declan O'Beirne, David O'Connell, Brendan Walsh, Ian Kelleher, Mike O';Connor, Niall O'Keefe
Kilmacud Crokes 3-12 Realt Dearg C 3-8
Assuming Podge-iax and his people have invented time travel, he could also have taken in the C match which threw in at the same time. Inspired by their colleagues in the A game, Realt Dearg C opted to play with the breeze in the opening half after the stunningly handsome young captain maintained his 100% coin toss winning record.
Driven on by a fine performance from Eoin Ryan at centre back, the reds kept the scoreboard ticking over from frees and play in the first quarter, with Dave Sheehan accurate as always from placed balls. With Gav O'Connell's pockets full of various Kilmacud corner forwards, and full back Kieran Parrock accumulating more passing yards then Tom Brady with his booming clearances, the forwards had plenty to work with and indeed they may rue some missed chances during the period of dominance.
The lead stretched to 6 points when an almerciful hit and hope from this simple wordsmith found its way into the top corner, despite the referees attempts wave play on when the sliothar rebounded off the back stanchion of the goal (soooooo aesthetically plaeasing)
*A full play by play of the goal is available to our paid subscribers at www.wowgaryfinallyscoredagoal.com
The game was won and lost though in the minutes before and after half time, as a desperately unlucky goal lifted Kilmacud spirits before the break, and Crokes really drove on with the wind in the third quarter, adding another goal after some fine stops from Bernard. Co-manager Brian Finn had seen enough at this point, heroically bringing himself from the bench, much to the chagrin of his partner Cillian Thornton, who took time out from his usual all action performance in a failed attempt to determine how this affected tactics.
Refusing to lie down, the Stars rallied in the final 15 minutes, the halfback line of Dave Lynch, Ryan and Rob Dooney tirelessly running to offer themselves for short puckouts and working the ball upfield. Some serious battling from Dave Kenneally set up first Finin O'Brien for a point, and then James Brooks, who made no mistake when found in front of goal, sending corner back, ball, goalie and all through the net. With the gap back to 4, substitute David Beausang gave RD real hope, seeming to take too much out of the ball before somehow contorting his body to flick the ball across the keeper from the right hand side and sneak the ball over the line.
With the gap back to 1, the next play was crucial, and unfortunately it went against the away side, a long ball drifting awkwardly in the wind and deceiving the rearguard to find its way to the net. The lead would stay at 4 until the end, but with plenty of positives for the hugely confused management team to take forward.
So all in all another action packed day for Realt Dearg, who knows what joys championship will hold next weekend....
P.s. Podge-iax died on his way back to his home planet.
Realt Dearg A 1-18 Craobh Chiarain
Hurling was the real winner in Drimnagh Castle, but in a much more significant and real way, Réalt Dearg A were the winners. Taking the field in their new ludicrously tight jerseys, the stars went about taking advantage of the wind in the first half, but initially found the Craobh Chiarain defence a tough but to crack, as the game went point for point in the opening quarter.
Sensing the need to built a half time cushion, the stars drove on in the minutes before half time, driven on by goals from Paudie and Brendan Costello. B team management duo Conor Maharaj and Jamie O' Hara tacked on points for a 2-13 to 0-6 half time score. The lead could have been more but for a string of fine saves by the CC goalkeeper, who looked unbeatable until the selfless Podge Buckley took one for the team, heroically running headfirst into the keepers knee, rattling him for the remainder of the game. New recruit Eoin O'Shea and budding fashion designer Robbie "Frog" Madden were running the opposition ragged in the middle of the park, but manager James "take your steps" Aherne would have been under no illusions about the task facing his team against the wind in the second half.
As Craobh Chiarain edged their way back, some heroic defending managed to limited them to points, while at the other end Gary Hurney and Jamie were denied goals to make the game safe. The battling nature of the performance was encapsulated by the never say die attitude of Waterford's loudest man 2015 winner Brendan Walsh, heroically booting his way up the sideline among a forest of hurls with a run Lionel Messi would be proud of. After one of the more aggressive pulls across Brendan's feet, the referee was heard to comment to his linesman, "Let it go, a man running that fast has no time for a free"
So it was that despite some fine free taking, the visitors were kept at arms length, eventually breaching the defense for an injury time goal, the ball forced over after a fine save by Bryan Rossiter. Ultimately it was too little too late and the RD back 7 were rewarded for their battles against the wind as CC ran out of time and the points were kept in Drimnagh.
Realt Dearg 3-11 Lucan Sarsfields 2-14
There was a lot to draw from in this entertaining game played in what appeared to be glorious sunny conditions on Sunday morning but turned quite chilly come match time. Not for our esteemed Chairman Kieran “Mushie” O’Brien who committed early to the jersey and
shorts attire and steadfastly stuck with it even with mild pneumonia kicking in standing on the sideline beside your humble narrator. And he dead right some would say.
After a lively tit for tat opening with points traded on both sides, Rory O’Loughlin rifled a sweet stuck ball into the roof of the net. The referee was kept busy galloping up and down the length of the field in this busy opening period to record the various scores. A real head Turner performance. A further flurry of scores followed from both sides when Ciaran Brennan executed a delightful improvised backhand topspin volley into the top corner of the net. It was pointed out to your humble narrator that Ciaran neither has padding in his helmet or a grip on his hurl. So the next time you are stuck with one of those hurling bores – you know who you are Tipp people – telling you about the hard men they knew back in the day, tell them of the beasht of the Dearg half forward line that rejected modern comfort and embraced the chaffing, slings and arrows of outrageous hurling.
The second half continued in the same vein, Realt Dearg built up an impressive lead thanks to more points from Gavin Manifold, T-Bone Keogh and Ciaran Brennan. Rory got a second goal. I can’t tell you much about it as it was quite cold and I was trying to uncover more
information about a story I had read that morning about a Munster player receiving sustained online abuse that the guards are investigating. If anyone has any updates, please send any information via the club press office where it will eventually reach me. Lucan eventually
clawed back the draw in the end. No fault!
RD Team: Martin Breathnach, Kieran O'Brien, Caoimhin Concannon, Gavan Manifold, Richie Kelly, Liam Henchy, Niall Mullane, Ultan Dillon, Colin Swanton, Ronan Moloney, Eric Lee, Billy Brazil, Tom Kehoe, Rory O';Loughlin, Paul Lynch, Ciaran Brennan, Declan O'Beirne, David O'Connell, Brendan Walsh, Ian Kelleher, Mike O';Connor, Niall O'Keefe
Kilmacud Crokes 3-12 Realt Dearg C 3-8
Assuming Podge-iax and his people have invented time travel, he could also have taken in the C match which threw in at the same time. Inspired by their colleagues in the A game, Realt Dearg C opted to play with the breeze in the opening half after the stunningly handsome young captain maintained his 100% coin toss winning record.
Driven on by a fine performance from Eoin Ryan at centre back, the reds kept the scoreboard ticking over from frees and play in the first quarter, with Dave Sheehan accurate as always from placed balls. With Gav O'Connell's pockets full of various Kilmacud corner forwards, and full back Kieran Parrock accumulating more passing yards then Tom Brady with his booming clearances, the forwards had plenty to work with and indeed they may rue some missed chances during the period of dominance.
The lead stretched to 6 points when an almerciful hit and hope from this simple wordsmith found its way into the top corner, despite the referees attempts wave play on when the sliothar rebounded off the back stanchion of the goal (soooooo aesthetically plaeasing)
*A full play by play of the goal is available to our paid subscribers at www.wowgaryfinallyscoredagoal.com
The game was won and lost though in the minutes before and after half time, as a desperately unlucky goal lifted Kilmacud spirits before the break, and Crokes really drove on with the wind in the third quarter, adding another goal after some fine stops from Bernard. Co-manager Brian Finn had seen enough at this point, heroically bringing himself from the bench, much to the chagrin of his partner Cillian Thornton, who took time out from his usual all action performance in a failed attempt to determine how this affected tactics.
Refusing to lie down, the Stars rallied in the final 15 minutes, the halfback line of Dave Lynch, Ryan and Rob Dooney tirelessly running to offer themselves for short puckouts and working the ball upfield. Some serious battling from Dave Kenneally set up first Finin O'Brien for a point, and then James Brooks, who made no mistake when found in front of goal, sending corner back, ball, goalie and all through the net. With the gap back to 4, substitute David Beausang gave RD real hope, seeming to take too much out of the ball before somehow contorting his body to flick the ball across the keeper from the right hand side and sneak the ball over the line.
With the gap back to 1, the next play was crucial, and unfortunately it went against the away side, a long ball drifting awkwardly in the wind and deceiving the rearguard to find its way to the net. The lead would stay at 4 until the end, but with plenty of positives for the hugely confused management team to take forward.
So all in all another action packed day for Realt Dearg, who knows what joys championship will hold next weekend....
P.s. Podge-iax died on his way back to his home planet.
scorelines harsh on tough start to season for Stars
All three teams took to the field to begin their 2019 seasons and although results didn't go their way, the rude health of the club was shown as over 50 brave souls donned their boots to represent the Red and Black. Overall it was a frustrating day at the office, but there were plenty of positives and as ever a smathering of wacky events to that certain members of the club will be hearing about in the Terenure Inn.
Realt Dearg's division 5 representatives took to the field for the first time in 2019 on the home sod of Drimnagh against Good Counsel with an emotional message from absent spiritual leader Tomas O'Mahoney ringing in their ears. The line up reflected the great work done by the club's recruitment team (Hi Podge!) over the winter, with a number of changes in the middle third. Philip O'Donnell and Shane Healy manned the center of the defense and attack respectively, Mike Heffernan took his place at no.12, Brendan Costello lined up at midfield and Brian Rossiter set Gary Hurney free by manning the goal. Kieran 'Throwback' Kelly lined up on the right of the half forward line in a nod to the glory days of the club.
Good Counsel started quickly and within 15 minutes raced into a 1-7 to 0-2 lead. The Stars clawed their way back into it, with a good mix of scorers in the forward line as Jamie O'Hara, John Tarpey and newbies Healy and Heffernan all chipped in while Conor Maharaj tore himself away from B team tactics long enough to lead the charge with a fine total of 1-7. Having dragged the gap back to 4 points, further goals from Counsel pushed the game beyond Realt Dearg's reach. The attacking threat and range of scorers from the Southside club was impressive and they look like a side that will have a serious say in deciding division 5 this year. For the men in red and black, the form of the debutants will provide encouragement, particularly along the spine of the team, while a little more match sharpness will stand to the forwards against Na Fianna in 2 weeks time. The influence of Podge Buckley and Paudie O'Regan had a positive impact and ensure competition for places will be intense as championship approaches. Most importantly, 'Muscles' Madden looked swell in the new, tighter no.8 shirt.
Realt Dearg A: Bryan Rossiter, Mike O'Connor, Ciaran Gough, Colm Walsh, Brian Gavin,
Philip O'Donnell, Kevin Ryan, Brendan Costello, Robbie Madden, Kieran Kelly, Shane Healy,Mike Heffernan, Jamie O'Hara, John Tarpey, Conor Maharaj
Subs: Podge, Hurney, O'D, Paudie (I think. Contrasting reports were recieved from the men on site)
The second game in Drimnagh saw the long awaited managerial debuts of “Sons of the Skivering” Conor Maharaj and his trusty sidekick Jamie O'Hara. With a strong B panel named, hopes were high of starting the year with a win against Thomas Davis. The Reds started strongly and had built a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 15 minutes before Gary Hurney continued to do his old Da proud with a goal to extend the lead. (Or it might have been Ciaran Flanagan, “Leon's son with the Deathstrike” can be read in many different ways). Thomas Davis managed a quick response with a goal of their own, crucially keeping in touch when the home side threatened to run away with the game.
The ever reliable Tom Kehoe kept the scoreboard ticking over to leave the half time score at 1-7 to 1-3. The latest debutant of the day took the field in the form of Kilkenny's Richie Kelly and he slotted in nicely as RD managed to maintain control the game leading 1-9 to 1-5 with 20 minutes remaining. The game swung on a controversial call as the the Dublin refereeing fraternity's witch-hunt against a certain C. Gahan saw another chapter added with a red card for a pull which
I'm reliably informed by management was 'Pure F****** harmless'. With their former manager banished to the sideline, RD struggled to cope with Davis extra man in the dying minutes, as the visitors reeled off a string of points in the final ten to dish out a very frustrating defeat. On the plus side Podge seems miraculously to have made it through injury free and should be available for the B's next game against Erin Go Bragh in 2 weeks.
Realt Dearg C: Coaimhin Concannon, Billy Brazil, Mike Richardson, Mushie, Finbarr Conroy, Niall Mullane, DOC, Mike O'Connor, Paudie O'Regan, Podge, Colm Gahan, Tom Kehoe, Eric Lee, Gary (Gary Gary) Hurney, Ciaran Brennan
The C team took to the Northside in a repeat of last year's season opener against a strong Clontarf team, who were unlucky not to escape the division last year. Under the new 'Brains' trust of Cillian Thornton, Brian Finn and Leon Flanagan the Cs benefitted more than anyone from the recruitment overdrive, taking to the field with a scarcely believable 8 replacements to choose from on the sideline.
Playing against the breeze in the first half, scores were hard to come by, Ultan Dillon scoring RD's only score after being begged by management to take a close range free. Clontarf's youthful no.12 was the difference between the teams in the first 30, involved in most of their 1-6. Some clever management saw debutant Liam Henchy entrusted with the dangerman, and the Stars fortunes immediately improved, rallying to 1-7 to 5 with midway through the half, Ultan adding a point from play after abandoning his free taking duties, presumaebly in an attempt to maintain his 100% record. Colman O' Shea added two frees of his own before two goals in the space of a few minutes pulled Clontarf clear.
Although playing numbers weren't a problem issues of the mathematical variety continue to haunt the Cs, Brian Finn refusing to allow Gavin Deacon a chance to stretch his legs under the impression that 5 subs had been made, before Professor Deacon stroked his beard and informed him that 4 x 1 is 4 and we did indeed have one sub left. Similarly Dave Kenneally heroically/ questionably/Drunkenly refused to leave the pitch when substituted, leaving RD with 16 men briefly battling for a badly needed goal. Henchy and Paul Lynch had battling debuts at the back, Paul notably playing on having had his hand sliced by a stray boot. There was an RD debut as well for David Beausang and a Re-debut for Mark Dunphy, but most importantly a hurling debut for Chris Hill, stealing Jack Patton and Eric Lee's thunder (The US is no longer where it's at) as the club's first Scot. Next up is Kilmacud in 2 weeks where Brian 'Cody' Finn will hopefully bring along his calculator.
Realt Dearg C: Bernard Herlihy, Liam Henchy, Paul Lynch, Gav O'Connell, Gary Walsh, Eoin Ryan, Liam Maguire, Jack Patton, Mick Conlon, Kevin Deady, Colman O'Shea, Ultan Dillon, James Brooks, Dave Kenneally, David Beausang.
Subs: Dave Sheehan, Chris Hill, Mark Dunphy, Cillian Thornton, Gav Deacon (Eventually)
Realt Dearg's division 5 representatives took to the field for the first time in 2019 on the home sod of Drimnagh against Good Counsel with an emotional message from absent spiritual leader Tomas O'Mahoney ringing in their ears. The line up reflected the great work done by the club's recruitment team (Hi Podge!) over the winter, with a number of changes in the middle third. Philip O'Donnell and Shane Healy manned the center of the defense and attack respectively, Mike Heffernan took his place at no.12, Brendan Costello lined up at midfield and Brian Rossiter set Gary Hurney free by manning the goal. Kieran 'Throwback' Kelly lined up on the right of the half forward line in a nod to the glory days of the club.
Good Counsel started quickly and within 15 minutes raced into a 1-7 to 0-2 lead. The Stars clawed their way back into it, with a good mix of scorers in the forward line as Jamie O'Hara, John Tarpey and newbies Healy and Heffernan all chipped in while Conor Maharaj tore himself away from B team tactics long enough to lead the charge with a fine total of 1-7. Having dragged the gap back to 4 points, further goals from Counsel pushed the game beyond Realt Dearg's reach. The attacking threat and range of scorers from the Southside club was impressive and they look like a side that will have a serious say in deciding division 5 this year. For the men in red and black, the form of the debutants will provide encouragement, particularly along the spine of the team, while a little more match sharpness will stand to the forwards against Na Fianna in 2 weeks time. The influence of Podge Buckley and Paudie O'Regan had a positive impact and ensure competition for places will be intense as championship approaches. Most importantly, 'Muscles' Madden looked swell in the new, tighter no.8 shirt.
Realt Dearg A: Bryan Rossiter, Mike O'Connor, Ciaran Gough, Colm Walsh, Brian Gavin,
Philip O'Donnell, Kevin Ryan, Brendan Costello, Robbie Madden, Kieran Kelly, Shane Healy,Mike Heffernan, Jamie O'Hara, John Tarpey, Conor Maharaj
Subs: Podge, Hurney, O'D, Paudie (I think. Contrasting reports were recieved from the men on site)
The second game in Drimnagh saw the long awaited managerial debuts of “Sons of the Skivering” Conor Maharaj and his trusty sidekick Jamie O'Hara. With a strong B panel named, hopes were high of starting the year with a win against Thomas Davis. The Reds started strongly and had built a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 15 minutes before Gary Hurney continued to do his old Da proud with a goal to extend the lead. (Or it might have been Ciaran Flanagan, “Leon's son with the Deathstrike” can be read in many different ways). Thomas Davis managed a quick response with a goal of their own, crucially keeping in touch when the home side threatened to run away with the game.
The ever reliable Tom Kehoe kept the scoreboard ticking over to leave the half time score at 1-7 to 1-3. The latest debutant of the day took the field in the form of Kilkenny's Richie Kelly and he slotted in nicely as RD managed to maintain control the game leading 1-9 to 1-5 with 20 minutes remaining. The game swung on a controversial call as the the Dublin refereeing fraternity's witch-hunt against a certain C. Gahan saw another chapter added with a red card for a pull which
I'm reliably informed by management was 'Pure F****** harmless'. With their former manager banished to the sideline, RD struggled to cope with Davis extra man in the dying minutes, as the visitors reeled off a string of points in the final ten to dish out a very frustrating defeat. On the plus side Podge seems miraculously to have made it through injury free and should be available for the B's next game against Erin Go Bragh in 2 weeks.
Realt Dearg C: Coaimhin Concannon, Billy Brazil, Mike Richardson, Mushie, Finbarr Conroy, Niall Mullane, DOC, Mike O'Connor, Paudie O'Regan, Podge, Colm Gahan, Tom Kehoe, Eric Lee, Gary (Gary Gary) Hurney, Ciaran Brennan
The C team took to the Northside in a repeat of last year's season opener against a strong Clontarf team, who were unlucky not to escape the division last year. Under the new 'Brains' trust of Cillian Thornton, Brian Finn and Leon Flanagan the Cs benefitted more than anyone from the recruitment overdrive, taking to the field with a scarcely believable 8 replacements to choose from on the sideline.
Playing against the breeze in the first half, scores were hard to come by, Ultan Dillon scoring RD's only score after being begged by management to take a close range free. Clontarf's youthful no.12 was the difference between the teams in the first 30, involved in most of their 1-6. Some clever management saw debutant Liam Henchy entrusted with the dangerman, and the Stars fortunes immediately improved, rallying to 1-7 to 5 with midway through the half, Ultan adding a point from play after abandoning his free taking duties, presumaebly in an attempt to maintain his 100% record. Colman O' Shea added two frees of his own before two goals in the space of a few minutes pulled Clontarf clear.
Although playing numbers weren't a problem issues of the mathematical variety continue to haunt the Cs, Brian Finn refusing to allow Gavin Deacon a chance to stretch his legs under the impression that 5 subs had been made, before Professor Deacon stroked his beard and informed him that 4 x 1 is 4 and we did indeed have one sub left. Similarly Dave Kenneally heroically/ questionably/Drunkenly refused to leave the pitch when substituted, leaving RD with 16 men briefly battling for a badly needed goal. Henchy and Paul Lynch had battling debuts at the back, Paul notably playing on having had his hand sliced by a stray boot. There was an RD debut as well for David Beausang and a Re-debut for Mark Dunphy, but most importantly a hurling debut for Chris Hill, stealing Jack Patton and Eric Lee's thunder (The US is no longer where it's at) as the club's first Scot. Next up is Kilmacud in 2 weeks where Brian 'Cody' Finn will hopefully bring along his calculator.
Realt Dearg C: Bernard Herlihy, Liam Henchy, Paul Lynch, Gav O'Connell, Gary Walsh, Eoin Ryan, Liam Maguire, Jack Patton, Mick Conlon, Kevin Deady, Colman O'Shea, Ultan Dillon, James Brooks, Dave Kenneally, David Beausang.
Subs: Dave Sheehan, Chris Hill, Mark Dunphy, Cillian Thornton, Gav Deacon (Eventually)
2019 training kicks off in stepaside
Realt Dearg's 2019 kicked off in Stepaside on Wednesday in Stepaside with a magnificent turnout of over 50 hurlers. Plenty of old heads and new faces braved the cold to get the year off on the right foot and start building towards league and championship. Training continues next Monday the 21st at 9pm, all welcome!
comment on Mental healthDiscussion around mental health is becoming increasingly de-stigmatised, open and encouraged. This is not before time. A recent report found that Ireland has one of the highest rates of mental health illness in Europe and the HSE reports that ‘men under the age of 35 are particularly at risk of dying by suicide. Suicide is the second most common cause of death in this age group, after accidental death’ - Link. The trend of these figures has perhaps lost some of its impact due to their near ubiquity. They are usually accompanied by the mostly admirable, but often not well directed, advice from prominent celebrities, friends and colleagues. This advice is usually kept to generalities like - ‘talk to someone’, ‘get exercise’, and ‘get a pastime to take your mind off it’. You of course wouldn’t look to retired rugby players, singers or your friends if you were suffering from a physical illness such as cardiovascular issue, even if they had experience of the issue at hand (unless they were a Cardiologist!), so why would you do it with your mental health? Your mental health should not be treated any differently to your physical health and there is nothing to be ashamed, afraid or embarrassed about in looking to get it treated.
The first port of call should be your GP, preferably one that is familiar to you and your medical history. Most mental health issues are extremely treatable and are dealt with through one or a combination of: talk-therapy, support groups, medication and therapeutic interventions such as CBT, ACT, DBT etc. Speaking to a professional about your symptoms will be the only way to discover what is right for you (To continue the analogy - if it was a cardiovascular illness it might take time to find the right cardiologist and treatment for your particular issue). While we are keen to discourage self-diagnosis or using the internet as a tool to treat mental health issues, a number of reputable organisations have websites that are useful to consult if you feel you may be suffering from a mental health issue: https://www.aware.ie/support/ https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/ http://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/mhi-a-to-z/ https://www.pieta.ie/ |
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