CLONTARF GAA CLUB

Adult Hurling F Championship Semi-final, Sunday 30th August 2015
Clontarf 2-14 vs St Finians 1-6

Playing at home Clontarf started with a very experienced team. Within a few minutes of the start Clontarf scored their first goal and point, both from Cian O Flaherty before Finians registered a score. The first half was a tight affair with very little between the teams but Clontarf maintained a lead of 1-5 to 0-4 at half-time. The second half saw Clontarf score some more points and open an eight point lead before a goal by Finians brought the lead back to 5 points. However Clontarf responded immediately with another well worked point as John Maguire picked out Cian O Flaherty in the corner to extend the lead to 6 points.  A few minutes later the game saw a second goal from Clontarf and late points from Sub Ronan Dunlea (2) and centre-back Ritchie Dennehy (2) as well as Conor Murphy put the result beyond doubt.
Playing well in the backs were Mick Moore, Ritchie Dennehy as well as minor Colum Mulhall and Neil Arthur (0-1). In mid-field both John Maguire and especially Eoin O Grady (0-2) excelled while in the forwards scores were got by Cian O Flaherty (2-3), Andy Lombard (0-2), Conor Murphy (0-2), Ronan Dunlea (0-2) and Ger Devine (0-1).
We look forward to final in 2 weeks time in O Toole Park.

Team: Ro Hickey, P Mulvaney, M Moore, S Wall, N Arthur (0-1) , R Dennehy (0-2), C Mulhall, , E O Grady (0-2), J Maguire, B Davis, C Murphy(0-2),  A Lombard (0-2), J Devine, G Devine (0-1), C O Flaherty (2-3). Subs Used: C Kelly, R Dunlea (0-2), D Brody, D Scully, C Geoghegan. Other subs: M O'Neill, K Mangan, D McCaffrey, C Ryan

 

Adult League Division 8 Hurling, 26th July 2015

Kilmacud Crokes 0-8, Clontarf 3-14

In terrible weather conditions with both rain and a strong wind, Clontarf won the toss and decided to play with the wind. Clontarf fielded a very similar team to that which had won well 3 days previously and duly started well again with good scores from Cathal Ryan, Conor Murphy, Kevin Mangan and Eoin O Grady. Up front Ger Devine (coming off a 16 hour shift) worked tirelessly.  Playing with the wind in the first our backs were rarely troubled and Clontarf led well by 1-11 to 0-3. Starting against the wind in the second half the contest was fairly even with points being swapped on both sides until a second goal by John Devine with 10 minutes restored Clontarf's lead to double figures and a late goal by Andy Lombard completed the game.  Playing well for Clontarf were C Ryan, C Murphy, K Mangan, B Perryman, E O Grady, and the young minor backs D Broidy, C Mulhall at half back line and the ever consistent R Dennehy at full back impressed.

Team: E Teeling , N Arthur, R Dennehy, P Mulvaney, C Mulhall, D Brody, D Scully, E O Grady (0-3), B Perryman (0-1), C Murphy(0-3),  A Lombard (1-0), C Geoghegan, K Mangan (0-2), G Devine (0-1), C Ryan (1-4). Subs: J Devine (1-0), S Wall, C Shealy, C Kelly, M O Neill, R Dunlea

 

Adult League Division 8 Hurling, 23rd July 2015

Clontarf 3-29, Fingallians 0-8

Fielding a strong mix of experienced players and minors, Clontarf raced into a lead from the start and had a firm grip on this game for the entire first half.  With no breeze and excellent conditions all of Clontarf's mid-field and forwards quickly got into their scoring rhythm and at half-time the score was 2-18 to 0-2.  Pick of the backs was Dan Scully who played excellent balls into the full forward line who duly profited. Also playing extremely well was the regular duo of Eoin O Grady and Bill Perryman in mid-field. Up front Conor Murphy was exerting a huge influence and ended up with 0-6, all from play to his name.  As always the full forward line was extremely dangerous and scored 2-10 between John Devine, Ger Devine and Cathal Ryan by the end of the game.  In the second half the game continued with Fingallians fighting for pride with some more scores but Clontarf ended up easy winners and utilised all substitutes on the night and were able to see out the game comfortably.  Special mention to our sponsors Kanoodle who provided new jerseys which were worn for the first time.  We look forward to our next game on the weekend. 

Team: E Teeling (1-0), C Mulhall, N Arthur, P Mulvaney, K Mangan, R Dennehy, D Scully, E O Grady (0-5), B Perryman (0-5), C Murphy(0-6), A Lombard (0-2), C Geoghegan (0-1), J Devine (0-4), G Devine (2-0), C Ryan (0-6). Subs (Used): R Dunlea, M O Neill, D McDaid

 

Clontarf 2.12 Lucan 1.09

July 12^th 2015, AHL8

A team of 20 warriors headed to Lucan on Sunday morning and recorded another great victory. 

Clontarf started slow with Lucan aided by a strong wind and went 4 pints up before Clontarf scored a point. Richie the rock had a free saved of the line. Cathal Ryan scored 2 points from play in the first half and we conceded a goal in the first half. Just before the whistle was blown Lucan were down to 14 men after one of their players lashed out at Christy Geogo. I asked him at half time what was said for him to react and the disagreement was over the Greek bailout with Christy in favour of the Greek. 

At half time Clontarf were down by 6 points.

The half time speech was shorter than usual. Ger Devin, the rock and Simon the block wall speaking. Simon really rallied his players aided by his squeeze on the side line he led his men into the pitch. 

The 15 men stood waiting for battle with fire in their eyes and as soon as the ball was in battle commenced we clawed back to 1.7 each with the goal coming from Ger Devine. He was not born he was quarried.

John Mcguire on his comeback had a savage game, also jack Higgins was outstanding but the man of the match was Simon the block Wall. From now on all junior players should bring three partners and Mick Keane has kindly offered to entertain them while they are on the side line.

We ran out winners by 6 points and outstanding comeback from 6 down at half time. 

Thanks to Noel Wardick and P.J Ryan for their help today. The junior team now stand 2nd in the league and in the quarterfinal of the championship.

Is there a double there for taking? I think so.

 

Hurling League Division 8, 28th June 2015

Clontarf 5.15.  Commercials 1.5 

What a great morning it was for a game of the auld stick ball. When the team arrived to pitch 35 they thought that the word had spread about our good run of victories from the look of the crowd, but to our disappointment there was a ladies football blitz so we put away the crowd control barriers and proceeded to warm up. 

Our captain for the day Ger Devine, after coming off a night shift, had a cold shower before the match to wake himself up won the toss and decided to play against the wind as he forgot his towel and said "he would dry faster facing the ball" he scored a massive 3 goals and 4 points so cold showers for everyone from now on and don't bother with a towel. 
 
Massive performances were put in from Owen o Grady and Bill Perryman at midfield, who both scored with a point each. Our opening goal came from Connor Murphy and what a goal it was from the most impossible angle off his inside a rasper of a shot that almost blow a hole in the net. He also added another point from play. 

As half time came to a close, Clontarf walked towards pitch 34 to discuss their first half performance. A row broke out over not enough bananas to go around for everybody but then Mick, as diplomatic as always, explained that if they were broke in half there was plenty to go around.  There was quite a biblical familiarity I think only this time involving 1 great man and 18 men and not 1 man and 12 men.  

The work rate of Ronan Dunlea was outstanding as usual and scored a point from play. Geogo , Geogo , Geogo now what a return he is having 2 fantastic goals in 2 games and again covered more ground than Shergar , Andy Lombard also added a point from play . With Cian O’Flaherty having an outstanding game scoring 3 points, the bench was cleared with 4 subs coming on Kevin Mango, Thomas O’Flah, Dennis McDaid and Matt O’Neil. Kevin was strong as always with Thomas, Dennis and Matt adding a point each. The score of the game came from matt O’Neil with an overhead flick which the likes hasn't been seen since "the DJ Carey days ". Welcome back Matt. Strong as always in defence were Jack Higgins, Colin Mulhall, and Neil Arthur.

What a fantastic result and what a great team mixed with young and wise. 

Thanks to all who came out to support and thanks to the lads for their effort. 

 

 

 

Hurling League Division 8, 25th June 2015

Castleknock 2-9, Clontarf 1-16

Fielding a mixture of experienced and young players Clontarf played their 4th game of the league having won 2 and lost 1 of the opening games. Playing on a very large pitch Clontarf were 1-5 to 5 points leaders at half-time. Playing well were the mid-field partnership of Bill Perryman and Eoin O Grady as well as minor backs Jack Higgins and Diarmuid Brody and new look full back Ritchie Dennehy. In the forwards Cian O Flaherty contributed with some well take points and set up a well taken goal for newly returning Chis Geoghegan. In the second half-time, superior fitness began to show, with all forwards scoring.  2 late goals from Castleknock kept the game close but Clontarf ran out winners by 4 points. 

 

Team in full and scorers:

E Teeling, P Mulvaney, R Dennehy, D Brody, N Arthur, S Wall, J Higgins, R O Grady (0-1), B Perryman (0-1), C Geoghegan (1-0), J Devine (0-1), R Dunlea (0-1), C O Flaherty (0-6), G Devine (0-4), A Lombard (0-1), Subs used: C Murphy (0-1), C Shealy