BHG 2-7
Kilbride 2-11

A gallant Blackhall Gaels U12 team were just pipped by Kilbride in an epic encounter in the summer league final in Simonstown.

Once again, holidays deprived the Gaels of some of their stalwarts with Eoin O'Toole, Podge Clarke, Ross Thornton, Alexander Hayden, Killian Mangan, Paul Codd and James Ruddy all unavailable for selection. Long time injury absentee Alan O'Toole made it along to cheer on his teammates from the sidelines.

There was just one change from the side that had defeated Slane two days previously, with Micheal McIvor coming in for Paul Codd.

A large and vocal support travelled from the parish to support the Gaels, which was very welcome.

It was Kilbride that had the much better start, and rifled over 3 quick points followed by a goal to leave 4 between them (a goal being only the same as a point at this level) after only 6 minutes.

It would have been easy for heads to drop at this point, but the spirit of the Gaels came to the fore as the likes of Luke Jennings, Conor Duffy and Colin Byrne showing some inspirational leadership.

It was Jennings that got the scoreboard ticking for Blackhall, winning and scoring a free in the seventh minute. However Kilbride re asserted their authority by tapping over three further scores to leave 6 in it approaching the break.

In truth it could have been more, but some great defending and goalkeeping by Keelan Forde, Mark O'Leary and Colin Byrne, who has perfected the art of catching the ball whilst (legally) taking an opponent out of the game.

Kilbride's scouts had noted Conor Duffys performance against Slane and he was often triple marked for kick outs, but as the first half was coming to a conclusion, Duffy managed to free himself from the shackles of some very tight marking and win some great possession. Two further points from Jennings meant the Gaels went into the half time break just 4 behind and with a strong wind at their backs in the second half, there was confidence at the break that the lads could do it.

Once again however Kilbride started better and two quick points extended the lead to 6. However for the last 20 minutes of the match Blackhall were dominant, Duffy and Jennings dominated the midfield exchanges, supported well by McIvor, Coakley and Sheeran. Sensing the opportunity, Tony O'Connor, Mark O'Leary and Keelan Forde pushed forward and the pressure was all on Kilbride. Eddie Carr won some great ball in the full forward line, but a combination of some tight Kilbride marking, and some bad luck meant that he was denied several scores that might have made the difference at the end.

The Gaels poured forward and a beautifully finished goal by Micheal McIvor followed by points for Duffy and Jennings left only three in it.

The Gaels threw caution to the wind in going for the win, at times leaving only Aimee Byrne and her brother Colin as the lines of defence,but they managed to successfully repel several Kilbride counterattacks with Tony O'Connor tracking back well to win and clear some great ball under considerable pressure.

Kilbride resorted to Donegal like tactics with virtually everyone camped inside their half, which left space at a premium. Conor Daly, Peter Coakley and Micheal McIvor really upped their game in the second half and won lots of possession.

As the game went into the final 10 minutes, delicately poised, both teams traded goals, Eddie Carr finally and deservedly getting his reward for the mountain of possession he had won and when he superbly tapped over a further point from a long range free he had won it left just 3 between them.

The spirit of adventure had left the Gaels vulnerable to the counter attack and Kilbride tacked on two beautiful points to extend their lead to 5.

An inspirational score from captain Duffy brought the gap back to 4 and despite repeated pressure that remained the gap as the final whistle blew.

That bad start costed the Gaels as despite great pressure they just weren't able to bridge the gap in the end against a strong Kilbride side, worthy winners of this years u12 summer league.

The team can look forward with confidence to next year with only 5 players not eligible for the same grade and a strong group of u10s coming through.

So the curtain is drawn on another u12 campaign and this group of players can be very proud of the progress they have made. Having succumbed to some heavy defeats early in the year ( including to the same Kilbride team) to have come so close to silverware is a testament to their hard work, effort and commitment with no little skill thrown in too.

The line up for the final was :

Colin Byrne, who swatted away any living creature that dared to come within 10 metres of his goal
Keelan Forde, who once again showed his ability to read the game by winning lots of possession
Tony O'Connor who has developed into a Donal Keoghan type man marker par excellence
Mark O'Leary, who puts his head where others won't put other peoples feet, and who showed he isn't shy about putting some heavy tackles in on girls (apparently thanks to some training at home)
Conor Daly, a late joiner to the team this year who has added huge strength to the half back line
Oran 'mr versatile' O'Mahony who is one of the few players that can play anywhere and who, in that tough start today was one of the few who stemmed the Kilbride tide
Conor Duffy © who led by example once again and put over the score of the day
Luke Jennings who has perfected the art of winning and scoring frees, a young Ashley Young in the making and who covers every blade of grass over the course of a match
Peter Coakley, another who puts his head where angels would fear to tread
Micheal McIvor, the man you always emerges with the ball when it looks impossible to do so
Davy Sheeran, new to the u12 ranks and a fantastic prospect for next year
Cillian Gleeson, one of the sweetest strikers of the ball in the club at any age group
Big Eddie Carr, the first 7foot 12 year old in club history
Aimee Byrne, who together with her brother Colin can be relied upon to repel any attacker
Amy O'Leary, fearless with a super ability to score.

So congrats to Kilbride, but there was great pride in the Gaels performance with the Spirit of the Gaels very much in evidence amongst these magnificent players.