On Wednesday May 5^th the U12 team 2 played Ballyfermot DLSP in the cup semi-final.  The U11 team had already qualified for their cup final and we were hoping that Olaf’s would have had 2 teams playing on Cup final day in Clondalkin.  Unfortunately this wasn’t to be. Ballyfermot were out of the starting blocks like a bullet and notched up some early scores and we were playing catch up from there on in. 

The second half was a different story when the team played the type of football that we know they’re able to play.  They competed for, and won almost every ball in the second half.  Ben Thornton was his usual reliable self and not even Stephen Cluxton would have saved the goals that went in.  The defenders of Ryan Murphy, Cian Power-Kelly, James Keogh and Dara Coleman in particular played extremely well.  Dara’s catching, kicking, passing and overall play earned him the “Man of the Match” award. Well done Dara!

The midfield pairing of Tristin Kennedy and David Breathnach had their hands full but coped excellently against their opponents.

Up front, Matthew O’Ceallaigh, Chloe O’Ceallaigh, Conor Brady, Eric Stapleton and Declan Murphy all played very well.  Matthew Deering, Cian McDaid, Cian DeBurca, Ian McAuliff, Daniel Stapleton and Gavin Soraghan were introduced at various stages during the game to give a bit of bite to the team.

While defeat was our lot on the day, the large number of supporters who turned out to support the team was all in agreement that the second half certainly belonged to Olaf’s.  While it would have been nice to qualify for the final, there’s certainly plenty to look forward to for this team in the league that starts in the next few weeks.

Thanks and well done to Stephen Stapleton, Fiachra O’Ceallaigh and Paul Murphy for looking after the team.  Congrats and best wishes to Ballyfermot in the final.

The panel on duty was: Ben Thornton, Ryan Murphy, Cian Power-Kelly, James Keogh, Dara Coleman, Tristin Kennedy (0-2), David Breathnach, Matthew O’Ceallaigh (0-1), Chloe O’Ceallaigh (1-2), Conor Brady, Eric Stapleton (1-0), Declan Murphy, Matthew Deering, Cian McDaid, Cian DeBurca, Ian McAuliff, Daniel Stapleton and Gavin Soraghan.

Best of luck to the U11 team who take on Clanna Gael Fontenoy.  Here’s hoping that there’ll be some more silverware making its way to the clubhouse following the U14’s success in the Feile last weekend.