Under 16 Hurling

Report on 2004 Season

The second half of the season continued to be a struggle competing against Dublin’s best in Division 1.  Fortunately from a hurling perspective, it was also a busy period with many league, Féile and Camáint games.

New Coach: We were delighted that Crónán Dooley, one of our Senior Hurling stars, joined us in September 2004 to help out with the coaching.  We look forward to him continuing with us in the Under-13 season. 

 League Division 1: The second half of the season consisted of games against Crumlin, Kilmacud Crokes and Na Fianna.  These matches were effectively relegation matches and despite some good performances, particularly against Crumlin, we lost our place in Division 1. Our match against Na Fianna sums up a frustrating season. We played an excellent first half on a warm September day in Albert College, were well on top, but scoring only one point in the second half went down to a disappointing six-point defeat.

Leinster Under-12 Féile: We were drawn in a group with the famed James Stephen’s Club from Kilkenny and Ballyboden St. Endas.  We hosted James Stephens and, after an excellent game of hurling, the match ended in a draw. We moved on to Ballyboden in the afternoon where we easily defeated the hosts.  With James Stephens also winning, we had to meet them again to decide the gold medals. Another excellent game against some of Kilkenny’s finest followed and powered by Dermot Cody, son of Kilkenny manager Brian, The Village prevailed by one goal. Our silver medals were well deserved. Special thanks to the Under-11 mentors and panel, especially Chris Crummy, Padraic Delaney and Emmet O Conghaile for providing valuable assistance on the day. 

Alan Cregan Memorial Tournament: Erin’s Isle are the excellent hosts of this annual tournament which is run on a ‘camáint’ basis.  We were drawn in a group comprising St. Vincents, who beat us by a goal and went on to win the tournament, Faughs and Dunshaughlin.  We qualified for the quarter-final and went out to Castleknock.

Camáint Finals at Erin’s Isle: Camáint consists entirely of ground hurling, except for the goalkeeper who may raise the sliotar.  Puck-outs are taken as frees out.  Kicking of the sliotar is not allowed.  We qualified for the Camáint Division 1 Shield finals at Erin’s Isle after a series of summer games. One notable Saturday at the 12^th Lock, we played and won three qualifying games against Kilmacud, Faughs and Judes.  We played St. Finbars in the semi-final and came through 5-0 to 4-0.  Scorers: C Ó Broin 2-0, O Ennis 1-0, S Clancy 2-0.  We were beaten by Crumlin in the final by 4-0 to 1-0 following a well-contested game. Scorer: O Ennis 1-0.

 Player of the Year: Seán Clancy was player of the year for 2004 and Seán Stapleton was the most improved player. 

Support: Many thanks to all parents for their support, washing gear and providing transport. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

 Paul Stapleton, John Clancy, Dónal Singleton, Herbie McClelland, Des Ó Broin