Naomh Olaf Vs St Peters Dunboyne - Senior Football Challenge 28 January 2012

Prepared by Kevin Birrane and Bernard Keaveney

Naomh Olaf got the 2012 season off to a good start with a lively pre-season friendly against Div 1 team and 2005 championship winners St Peters of Dunboyne on Saturday 28 January at Pairc Ui Bhriain. Despite Evelyn Cusack’s dire prediction of a washout, the day turned out dry. The mild weather caused a brief Healy-Rae moment, when a shocked crowd saw Larry Kinsella turn up on a January afternoon, minus the tea cosy on his head.

 While pitch conditions could have been better, these two talented teams managed to put on a most entertaining football display. Naomh Olaf got off to a flying start with an easy goal when a Daragh Byrne long range free was fumbled by the Dunboyne backline. An alert  Daragh Maxwell was quick to the breaking ball and skilfully sent it to the back of the net. A now confident Naomh Olaf continued to dominate and soon a second well worked goal was finished to the net by Brian Begley. Naomh Olaf was on a run and continued to dominate in this first period with Eoin Kinsella in particular connecting with well placed passes and clocking up points . 

By prior agreement, this game was played in three 25 minute periods. At the end of the first period, Naomh Olaf were ahead leading by 2-3 to 0-4 at which point, they would have been odds on, had Paddy Power been running a  book.  However during the second period, the Dunboyne men took the game to the home side. They controlled the game for most of this period scoring 0-7 points to Naomh Olaf’'s 0-3, to end the period with the home side just 2 points in front.  Dunboyne's Garry Waters was most impressive during this second period. This Meath Senior Championship medal winner clearly showed why he has represented Meath so often at various levels in recent years.

St Peters having gained the initiative during the second period continued their dominance into the third period. Naomh Olaf did build numerous attacks from mid field but were repeatedly denied by a rock solid defence, scoring just one point during the third period.  The Meath men repeatedly repulsed attacks, often gaining possession to launch well executed counter attacks from the full back line. Strong performers from St. Peters included Garry Waters, Tommy O Connor and Damien Sweeney the latter scoring two excellent long range points from play. At the end, they had added a further 6 points to put them 3 points in front when the final whistle blew.

Prominent new faces from Naomh Olaf include Tony O Hara, Jack Lee, Fergal Mairtín and promising new signing from Donegal Mark Donnelly who previously played with distinction at Sean MacCumhaills, Ballybofey. 

The scorers for Naomh Olaf were:  Eoin Kinsella 5 points Daragh Maxwell one goal, Brian Begley one goal and one point each from Dara Byrne, Shane Whyte and John Tyrell. The stamina shown by both teams is clear evidence that both have been in training for many weeks. They are definitely ones to watch during the Season ahead. 

As usual the renowned Naomh Olaf post match hospitality in the clubhouse was evident. Clare Whyte and Mary Shivnan were feeding everyone. Liam Kavanagh was also spotted offering trays of food to all takers. Chris O Grady who looked like he hadn’t eaten for months was re discovering his roots by catching up with the Dunboyne Obamas’, sorry that should read the Dunboyne O Gradys’ Despite losing, the mood in the Naomh Olaf clubhouse was upbeat. There was plenty of  talk about the good opening performance with lots of potential to build from here. On the day, St Peters were the better side, but clearly this was an excellent opening game as both teams prepare for  the new season.

Team Names And Positions