Donabate Community College 3-08 1-06 Lusk Community College
Last Thursday 12th November, Donabate Community College created history and won their 1st ever First Year Dublin county title at Ballymun Kickham’s all-weather pitch. Lusk went in as favourites, having beaten the team earlier in the group stages of the competition, but it looked like nothing was going to stop Donabate’s journey to success. Donabate settled in very well straight from the off and moved the ball quickly and efficiently, creating a number of chances that went unluckily wide. Although it was quite gusty out, the breeze was more or less across the pitch, favouring no team at all. In fact, a number of balls went astray for both teams, resulting in a nervy and edgy game for a period in the first half.
With some good work from Louis Finnan in the middle of the field, Donabate were able to spread the ball into the full forwards, Conor Culleton and Peter Keogh, who created space for Ollie Brooks to pop over the first point of the game, to settle any pre- match nerves the team had. Peter Keogh was working hard in the full forward line to prevent Lusk making any outfield breaks and Daniel Murphy assisted him to great effect. As a result of this pressure, a loose ball broke to Ollie Brooks who found Ciaran Lyons inside with a beautiful long diagonal pass. Ciaran caught it, had the keeper at his mercy and made no mistake, burying it in the bottom left- hand corner.
A good move by Lusk a couple of minutes later caught the team off guard, culminating in a well taken goal, to bring the match back to a one score game. Neither team scored for about 10 minutes after that. However Lusk could have been well ahead but for the heroics of Ben Hand, Sam Dolan and Karl Murray in the fullback line. This give great cover to goalkeeper, Sean Kieran, who was alert to everything and was accurate with his kick-outs after a few poor Lusk wides. All-weather pitches can be tricky to judge the bounce of the ball and that was clearly evident, as it was causing havoc among both sets of players, with the ball flying over a few heads. But Donabate’s two wing backs, Diarmuid Burke and Brian Hanratty were able to overcome this challenge, finding good possession in the half back line and in midfield and playing some exquisite balls onto the forwards.
But Lusk were in something of ‘purple patch’, sticking over 3 unanswered points, while keeping Donabate scoreless. This put them two up with half time approaching. Donabate put it back to a one point game after Louis Finnan made no mistake from a free after some good work earlier by Alex Groves and Peter Keogh who was fouled around the 21 metre line.
Ciaran Lyons got his 2nd goal of the game soon after a free kick from Ollie Brooks held up in the wind, and landed in and around the square, where Ciaran won the breaking ball and sent Donabate into a 2 point lead at half time, 2-02 to 1-03.
Daniel Murphy showed great intent from the throw-in to get Donabate off to a near perfect start after the break with an early point from close range. Killian McKeon followed this with a point and the team began to ask some real questions of the opponents. But Lusk found a way back into the game, scoring 2 goals and a free kick without reply to head three points up. Brian Hanratty went into nets for Sean Kiernan who made way for Sean Collins, and he went straight into the forward line. Killian McKeon followed this up with the score of the game, a magnificent (Dermot Connolly-esque) point to get Donabate back on track.
Sean Collins got in on the act, scoring a wonderful point with his left foot. Peter Keogh followed this up with a brilliant fisted point from a tight angle. Donabate were well in control of the game at this stage however Lusk weren’t giving up that easily and if it wasn’t for Brian Hanratty’s heroics in nets, Lusk could have scored three or four goals. Brian dealt with everything very competently and calmly as Lusk went in search for late goals. After Lusk’s pressure has subsided, the ball fell to Mark McKeon who finished a well worked score with what was virtually the last kick of the game. As the ref blew it up, the celebrations began and the team were over the moon.
Well done lads, a great victory and a fully deserved county title! A special mention goes to the coaches Mr. Redmond and Mr. Clarke, who were astounding the whole way!
Team: Sean Kiernan, Ben Hand, Sam Dolan, Karl Murray, Diarmuid Burke, Killian McKeon, Brian Hanratty, Ollie Brooks, Louis Finnan, Daniel Murphy, Ciaran Lyons, Rob Mahon, Conor Culleton, Peter Keogh, Alex Groves
Thanks to 5th Year student, Daniel Burke for this report and thanks to TY student Olivia Smyth for the photos!
