On Saturday March 28, the U12 football team travelled to Lanesboro, Co. Longford to participate in a football blitz organised by the Shannon Gaels minor football club.  Shannon Gaels is the juvenile section of the Rathcline GAA club.  20 players from the 28 strong panel were available to travel and all arrived promptly for the 10 am departure from the club house.  Spirits were high in anticipation of the feast of football that lay ahead.  After a brief stop for refreshments in Rathowen, the coach arrived on schedule in Lanesboro where a large crowd was present to greet the team.  Shannon Gaels also provided some refreshments for the team when they arrived so the players were fully hydrated before the games began. 

Team 1 got ready in the fantastic dressing rooms and after a brief warm up, made their way onto the pitch for the first game of the day where they played the hosts, Shannon Gaels.  This was an excellent game of football where both teams played some lovely open football and set the standard for the rest of the day.  This game went down to the wire but a last minute goal from Glenn Soraghan sealed victory for Olafs.

In the second game, Team 2 played Carrick Sarsfields (an amalgamation of the Carrickedmond and Legan Sarsfields clubs). Carrickedmond is the club of Longford Co. Board Chairman, Pat Cahill who was present to view some of the marvellous football on display.  Longford player Brian Kavanagh, who teaches some of the Olaf’s players, also showed up before he headed into Pearse Park to take on Clare in the National League.  Brian injured his foot during this game and we wish him a speedy recovery in time for Longford’s first round in the Leinster Championship.  Like the first game, this game was played at a frantic pace and again both teams served up some lovely football.  In the end, Olaf’s won by 5 points but it was by no means an easy victory.

Team 2 were up again in game 3 and after a 20 minute break they played Shannon Gaels.  Without doubt, this was the best game of the day.  Shannon Gaels learned from their first game and were out of the starting blocks straight away and took a commanding lead.  Olaf’s plugged away and in the end managed to secure a draw with the equalizing point coming from Eric Stapleton.

The last game of day was between team 1 and Carrick Sarsfields.  Like the 3 previous games, some spectacular football was played by both sides.  Tristin Kennedy took control in mid-field and in the end, Olaf’s ran out winners by 3 points.

When the football was over, everybody involved made their way to the superb club-house where our hosts laid on hot food and drinks.  This was really appreciated by all present.  After the food, all players received a medal for their endeavours.

Sincere thanks to Jimmy Flood, Seadhna Ryan and the rest of the Shannon Gaels club for inviting us to participate in the tournament and for the hospitality shown to us on the day.

Overall, it was a very satisfactory day for the team playing 4 games, winning 3 and drawing 1.  The bus departed Lanesboro at 4:30 and arrived back safely at the club-house at 6:30. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and we look forward to welcoming Shannon Gaels to Pairc Ui Bhriain in the near future.

The following players travelled on the day: Conor Brady, Cian De Burca, Jamie Deiseach, Eoin Foley, Tom Keane, Tristin Kennedy, James Keogh, Conor Kirwan, Sean McDaid, Cian McDaid, Ryan Murphy, Matthew O’Ceallaigh, Chloe O’Ceallaigh, Jordan O’Connor, Fiachra O’Sullivan, Glenn Soraghan, Gavin Soraghan, Eric Stapleton, Daniel Stapleton and Ben Thornton.

Above, the players who travelled to Longford for the blitz.

For more pictures from the day, click here and here.