Junior Football – Match Report

Junior Football Championship Semi Final  

27/2/24 

St. Paul’s College 3-13 vs Lucan CBS 1-5 

First Half

Lovely conditions for a game of football in St Anne’s park this morning for the Junior Championship Semifinal. Team Captain Finn Brassil elected to play against a strong breeze in the first half after winning the toss. Finn was partnered at mid field by Zach Donegan and the pair set off as they meant to continue, winning the throw ball with the first possession. A long ball into the full forward line to Conor Byrne who opened the scoring with a lovely point starting off his personal tally of 1-4 on the day. Paul’s had a strong first half display keeping Lucan CBS quiet thanks to a great defensive display by Rafael Almeida in the full back line and Liam Kelly between the sticks. A special mention to a man who lives up to his name displaying ‘lightning’ aggression throughout, Sean Thunder, ably assisted by his club mate, the ever steady Jake Daly in the full back line. Against the wind the strong half back line of Oran Hurley center back with Senan Russel and Eoin Prendiville either side of him, were immense, quelling attack after attack from the West Dublin School. Lucan’s perseverance paid off on the 12th minute with a goal but the Raheny School kept their heads up going into the break 1-6 to Lucan’s 1-3. 

Second half  

With another strong mid field performance with Finn and Zach winning the throw ball sending it into Eoin Mcguirk with him kicking off the scoring of the second half with his second point of the day. Another strong half forward press led by Luke Hayes in the centre, the focal point of so many second half attacks, with Darragh O’Connor and Rhys Curley in supporting roles either side. Another rock solid performance from Oran and Rafael in defense allowed Finn Brassil to slip Rhys Curley in to be brought down in the box and awarded a penalty on 42 minutes.  Luke Hayes stepped up, with the look of a dead eyed gunslinger, to take it. However, the Lucan keeper made a brilliant save down to his left hand side. St Pauls didn’t give up in their hunt for goals as Cillian Meehan rattled the back of the net for their second goal of the game, after great link up play on 47 minutes. St Paul’s kept the score board ticking over with scores from Luke Hayes and Conor Byrne.

Eoin Mcguirk was imperious with his free taking throughout and steadied the ship on a number of occasions. Like a Dublin bus driver late for his tea, the Paul’s boys ‘drove on’, and closed the game out with ten minutes to spare. The final scoreline of 3-13 to 1-5 was a fair reflection of their dominance throughout. It’s onwards and upwards to the final for the lads in two weeks’ time. 

TEAM: 

1 Liam Kelly

2 Rafael Almeida

3 Sean Thunder 

4 Jake Daly 

5 Senan Russel 

6 Oran Hurley 

7 Eoin Prendiville  

8 Zach Donegan (MOTM) 

9 Finn Brassil 

10 Darragh O’Connor (0-1)

11 Luke Hayes (0-3 )

12 Rhys Curley (1-1)

13 Conor Byrne (1-4 )

14 Eoin McGuirk (0-4 )

15 Cillian Meehan (1-0 )

SUBSTITUTES:

16 Luke murphy, 17 Alan keane, 18 Alan Murphy, 19 Brian Coakley, 20 Conor Feeney, 21 Shane Finlay.

Team Management – Mr Soady & Mr O’Sullivan       

Report by Luke Hayes and Eoin McGuirk (TY)