Naomh Olaf 1-8 Skerries Harps 0-5

Naomh Olaf confirmed their status in senior league football with a convincing 6-point win over Skerries Harps in Páirc Uí Bhriain on Sunday morning.

In a refixture of a game for which Naomh Olaf had originally been awarded the points only for the county board to overturn that decision, Naomh Olaf were left with the difficult task of having to beat Conor Deegan’s Skerries Harps to secure their place in senior football. Naomh Olaf had beaten St Pats of Palmerstown on 13 December last (2-6 to 0-8) in what was then understood to be the last game of the 2009 season.

However, the team was recalled a number of weeks ago to prepare for one more game following the decision of the board. Anything less than a win would have put Naomh Olaf into the mix for the relegation play-offs and the risk of dropping into the intermediate ranks.

A large crowd turned out on a sunny but chilly morning to support the local side. Naomh Olaf started brightly and enjoyed most of the possession in the first quarter. With Darragh Maxwell slotting into the middle and Shane Whyte given a roving roll, the full forward line of the two Eoins, Christian and Kinsella, found lots of space and plenty of possession in a lively opening.

However, the dominance was not being converted into scores, with Begley and Lucey hitting the same post in one attack and two goals chances, for Eoin Kinsella (saved) and Eoin Christian (narrowly wide), being amongst the more notable of the missed chances. Naomh Olaf did manage two scores, however, with Eoin Christian and Gary Wilkins from wing back getting the opening points.

Inevitably, Skerries Harps managed to carve out their own openings, resulting in two points (one from a free) mid-way through the first half. This was the last time they were to draw level, however, as Naomh Olaf upped their performance considerably over the next ten minutes to build a commanding lead. First of their scores was a goal from a line-ball by Eoin Kinsella, which the goalkeeper fumbled over the line. Neither umpire, both regular mass-goers, had any hesitation in awarding the goal and so Naomh Olaf pushed three clear. More was to follow as Brian Begley converted a difficult free from the deck and the busy Bernard Gaughran scored an impressive point. Naomh Olaf led at half-time by 1-4 to 0-2.

The second half was a very open affair with both sides contributing to a tough but fair exchange. Skerries Harps managed to narrow the lead on a couple of occasions, but Naomh Olaf kept their noses in front with some vital points. First of those came from full-forward Eoin Christian, who finished off a move in which Naomh Olaf had two goal chances by wisely opting to punch the ball over the bar from close-range. Two enormous points followed by the impressive Cormac Lucey, both with the left boot.

There were chances at the other end, but the outstanding full-back Ronan Miley, ably assisted by Séamus Kinsella and club coach Darren Egan, protected the Naomh Olaf goal.
The half-back line was equally impressive.

Naomh Olaf had the better of the mid-field exchanges overall, with Darragh Maxwell (who wintered well) and Kevin Birrane (captain) winning enough possession to keep the forwards busy.
The marauding Shane Whyte worked tirelessly throughout and made some vital interceptions, including one spectacular block in particular that switched a Harps’ attack into one for Naomh Olaf. Eoin Kinsella closed out the scoring with a free to put 6 points between the sides and the game finished at 1-8 to 0-5.

It was a nice way for Naomh Olaf to finish out the season, and indeed a decade in which Naomh Olaf have maintained their senior status throughout. They have a lso reaffirmed their position as one of the relatively few clubs in the county to be competing in the senior leagues of both hurling and football.

1.  Cathal Daughton
2.  Darren Egan (Johnny Tyrrell)
3.  Ronan Miley
4.  Seamus Kinsella (Barry Lynch)
5.  David Burke
6.  Niall McCaffrey
7.  Gary Wilkins – 0-1
8.  Kevin Birrane, Captain
9.  Bernard Gaughran – 0-1
10. Cormac Lucey – 0-2
11. Brian Begley – 0-1, free (Simon Hickey)
12. Darragh Maxwell
13. Eoin Kinsella - 1-1, goal from side-line, point from free
14. Eoin Christian – 0-2 (David Lynch)
15. Shane Whyte
Subs: Eric Horgan Conor Haskins