Pairc Tailteann is a big place for adults,never mind juveniles and there is no hiding place.Anyone who played there knows that.It is especially big for thirteen a side teams,which is the norm for the Div.5 .M.F.C.,where we met Nobber in the Final last Sunday.
T'was cold enough but the pitch was immaculate.
I can only take my hat off to a young female steward who was kindness itself to yours truly,a total contrast to the behaviour witnessed in the Vodaphone shop in Trim a fortnight ago (see article "Bullied etc in Trim,"in earlier blog).Faith in human nature fully restored.
From the go we had an exciting contest between two well matched teams who tried to the bitter end and who were only separated by a point after 70 minutes of intense football.
I suppose our more prominent players are Luke Martyn and Mark Kane.Both ooze potential in this grade and both excelled.To be fair both their markers were no daws either and both had their hands full ,but both contributed massively to our cause.
No one man wins a match on his own and the supporting cast gave it their all (and more) in pursuit of the laurels.Nobber forged ahead in the early play and coming up to half time we were in trouble .But a scoring burst in the run in to half time when Lukie lent his considerable support to the attack gave us hope.
On the resumption Nobber forged ahead again and with ten to go were ,if memory serves right ,six points ahead and looked comfortable.but Kane was still using his speed and accuracy to advantage and splitting the posts and Brady was playing the way his father used to,that is going only in one direction; forward.
Daly and Casey minor made up for their lack of bulk by playing cleverly and passing to better placed and stronger colleagues..Clarke was playing a Captain's part and winning his share of possession.ably assisted by Leonard.
Gradually we clawed our way back into contention and drew lever with five to go.
Nobber stepped on the gas again and gallant defending was called for.Conor Dempsey and Aaron Feeney (a chip off the old block Tommy) stepped up o the mark but for me the man who really rose to the occasions was first half sub ,Cillian Conway,who not once,nor twice but thrice put in telling tackles and brave interceptions which negated sure scoring chances for a confident Nobber team.Cometh the hour cometh the man.
Mc Cabe,whose great grand uncle in the 1880's was the first Dunderry man to play in an All Ireland Senior football final did his part and Dowdall dug deep,
Casey major made intelligent use of his kick outs and it is a tribute to his backs that he was rarely called on to make saves,
With the teams level at full time an extra 20 minutes (10 each half ) commenced.Fortunes swayed first one way and then the other and mentors Mitchell,Casey,Hickey and Dowdall and trainer Fitzie,,rang the changes using substitutes to full advantage and we snuck it by a point in the end on a scoreline of 3-14 to 1-19,the subs, fully justifying their selection to a man.
Team was.
A,Casey
C.Dempsey (0-2) A.Feeney
C Harten L.Martyn R,Mc Cabe,
C.Leonard S.Clarke,
M.Dowdall (1-1) M.Kane (0-8.3 frees ) J.Brady (0-2)
E Daly P.Casey.
Subs used.C.Conway.A .Walsh.(1-0),C.Lawless.P.Hickey,T.O.Conaire
The attendance stayed fully transfixed to the end and Clarke made a brief but well modulated acceptance speech
I.n truth no team deserved to lose,but take it we will.And did.
A bonfire blazed in the centre of the Village afterwards but someone rang the fire brigade.Political correctness gone mad.Who will get the bill?
Such are the times we live in.No joy allowed.
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