Two championship wins at Broomfield - good day for U16 football

U16B Football Championship – St Sylvesters 3 – 9 Ballinteer St John 1 – 3

There is nothing like Championship Football to get the blood flowing and today was no exception. The first round of the 2010 Championship was kind enough to give us a home draw against Southside opposition in Ballinteer St John. The Championship has been good to us yet tough on us for the past two seasons. In both years we have won our way through to the semi finals but have yet to make it to our first final – could this be our year? Well one thing is for certain – it won’t be for the want of trying.

The team have prepared very well and come into this game on the back of 4 straight wins. Playing with the aid of a strong wind in the first half we struggled to make the most of the elements. Although we were playing quite well we weren’t putting a lot on the scoreboard. Half time came with Syls leading by a scoreline of 1 – 5 to 0 – 2. We knew that Ballinteer would throw the kitchen sink at us early in the second half and so they did, scoring a goal with their very first attack. Despite this early setback, the lads really buckled down and played some wonderful football for the remained of the match. So much so that we limited Ballinteer to just one further point despite the strong wind advantage.

Eoin O’Byrne was again a rock in goal with some solid saves and fantastic kick outs. The full back line of Joe Bannigan, Niall Gaine and Andrew Connolly gave the Ballinteer inside forwards absolutely no change. Our half back line of Alan O’Hara, Shane Brennan and Cian McCann did likewise while also providing a constant threat going forward. The midfield engine room of Niall Kelly and Cian O’Scolaí was firing on all cylinders. Our half forward line of Daniel McEvoy, Oisín O’Toole and Colm Byrne ran their hearts out scoring another 4 points against the wind. The inside forward line of Enda Fallon, Ger Young and Conor Grehan worked and worked with both Enda and Conor grabbing second half goals.

I’m delighted for the whole squad and the work that they are putting in twice a week is really showing in their match displays. It’s only the first round of the Championship but that’s 5 wins now on the trot for this wonderful bunch of players. Roll on the next game.