The club were chosen to host group B of the Division 6 Féile on Saturday April 30^th.  The group consisted of Clann Mhuire, St. Sylvester’s, Geraldine P Morans and Olaf’s. The Olaf’s squad looked splendid in their Féile hoodies, track suit bottoms and t-shirts on the day.  The kit was purchased from the proceeds of various fund-raising events that were run in conjunction with the girls Féile team.  Great credit must go to the parents who organised these events. 

Apart from fund-raising, the team also prepared meticulously for the competition since January. During the cold and wet spells earlier in the year they showed their determination by training on a nearby all-weather pitch when our own pitch was unavailable. 

First up was a tough assignment against Clann Mhuire. The team knew little about Clann apart from the fact that they were top of division 8 in the league having won all 8 games that they’ve played to date.  Clann started like a whirlwind and scored a first point with their first attack of the game and showed why they were unbeaten in their league. Olaf’s eventually settled and got on the score-sheet with a goal from Aaron Walsh.  After the goal the team played some marvellous football and ended up winning by 5-10 to 0-3.  It was a great start and gave the team a very favourable scoring average. 

Next up was St. Sylvester’s.  These teams met in the league in early March and on that day Syl’s got the better of an understrength Olaf’s team on a score of 9-10 to 4-7.  This was Olaf’s chance to set the record straight and that’s what they did.  In a very tight game Olaf’s held on to win by 3-7 to 3-5.  The win secured a semi-final spot for Olaf’s but the question was where they’d play the semi-final.  If they won their last game they’d secure home advantage but if they lost, it meant a trek across the county to Rush. 

Geraldine P Moran’s stood between them and a home semi-final.  At half time Olaf’s were ahead by 5 points on a score of 0-10 to 1-2 and victory seem assured. Complacency set in in the second half and with 2 minutes left to play, Geraldine’s got a goal to put them level.  Craig Ronayne won the ball from the resulting kick-out and found team captain Sean Flynn in space.  Sean beat 2 Geraldine’s defenders and scored a magnificent point to put the team 1 point up.  It was nail biting stuff from there on. Eoin Foley made a crucial interception and was on the attack when the referee blew for full time.  A home semi-final was guaranteed. 

The team took a well-deserved break and adjourned to the club house to avail of the sandwiches, biscuits and cakes that were provided by parents.  Sincere thanks to the parents for providing these goodies.  A huge thank you also to Margaret Fleming and her helpers who ensure that the food was made available to everybody. 

Word filtered through to Féile co-ordinator Conor Foley that Na Dubh Ghall would be our opponents in the semi-final.  Again not much was known about this team but a quick look at the U14 football league tables showed them in joint first place in division 6. We also found out that they lost their last game in the qualifier section by 1 point which put them as group runners-up and resulted in them travelling from Rush over to Pairc Ui Bhriain. 

Team mentors Brendan Bonar, Ultan Sherlock and Stephen Flynn got the lads together and explained the importance of the semi-final.  The team was announced and the squad made their way on to the pitch where they prepared for the battle that lay ahead.  The warm up was intense and had the team buzzing for the game.  They got off to a magnificent start with points from Craig Ronayne, Aaron Walsh and Tom Keane. Kevin Sherlock put them further ahead with a goal.  Na Dubh Gall persevered and were awarded for this perseverance when they scored 3 goals without reply from Olaf’s.  They also tacked on some points to see them lead at half time by 4 points on a score of Olaf’s 1-10 Na Dubh Gall 4-5.  It was all to play for in the second half and it was nerve wrecking stuff but Olaf’s were unable to claw back the 4 point lead and in the end they lost by 3 points on a final score-line of Olaf’s 2-14 Na Dubh Gall 4-11.  Congrats and best wishes to Na Dubh Gall when they take on Geraldine P Moran’s in the final on Monday. 

And so the epic journey ended for the squad at the semi-final stage.  All the players were devastated at the loss. On the day they scored an astonishing 11-42 and only conceded 10-23. An appearance in the final would certainly have been nice but what’s even more important is that every player can be proud of his performance on the day.  Each gave his best for the cause and after 160 minutes of football, they fell short by just 3 points.  This was echoed by club Chairman Harry O’Crowley when he addressed the lads after their defeat. Harry re-emphasised to the players that that their parents and the club were extremely proud of their performances both on the field and off. He told them that they were a credit to the club and the future of the club depended on the juvenile players that were playing for the club and based on the football that was played today that future was safe with them. He encouraged them to re-group for the remaining games in the league and push for a league title.

The panel on Saturday was: Paddy Berry, Dara Bonar, Oisin Bracken, Eoin Foley (4-5), Sean Flynn (0-2), Sean McDaid (1-0), Tom McGurk, Oisin McMullen (0-2), Peter O’Callaghan, Craig Ronayne (1-14), Glenn Soraghan (0-2), Luke Fleming, Tom Keane (0-10), Conor Kirwan, Joseph Rafferty (1-1), Lee McGrath, Conor Nevin, Lorcan O’Malley, Jamie Roche (0-1), Kevin Sherlock (1-1), Jack Taheny (0-3), Aaron Walsh (3-1).