GMatch

St. Eithne's P.6 boys played their first football match ever on Friday 27th April 2001 against St. Patrick's Pennyburn. St. Pat's boys looked strong and practised and they set about the task with clean efficiency. However, St. Eithne's were here to experience and learn the hard uncompromising truths that an adequate School Gaelic team need to stay alive in competition.

Mr. Meehan(Team Coach) explained rules and strategies as his young inexperienced team ventured on to the muddy grass pitch.
" Mark up, eyes on the ball, let's hold that ball and don't be afraid to get in there." were commands issuing from the sideline.

From the very first minute the St. Eithne's goalkeeper Conor and his full back line (Ronan, Niall, Jason, David and Caoimghin) were beseiged by a relentless assault on the St. Eithne's goal. Here, of a sudden, this young new team were being introduced roughly to the harsh laws of "stand or fall" gaelic football. Total confusion reigned amongst the St. Eithne's boys as Mr Meehan called out instructions to individuals and as Conor attempted to ward off numerous shots on goal.

The onslaught was unforgiving. Something had to give and ten minutes into the first half it did. St. Eithne's seem to realise that if they couldn't outplay the stronger older more accomplished St. Pat's team they would do or die by sheer stubborness and pure grit.

Anthony and Tom harried and hassled the much taller hunkier opposition not giving them a chance to catch, hold and pass the ball. Now St. Eithne's were relentless in their sudden determination to defend their beseiged goal and get the ball up field. Midfielders Ciaran, Kevin and Stephen toughed it out in the middle & forwards, Gavin, Darren, Kealan, now got their chance to bring specialist skills to the fore as the tiny workhorse warriors Anthony, Tom & Shaun kept the more superior (and very large) St. Pat's P.7 boys at bay.

The first half ended with the St. Pats team having a high deserved score of 4 goals and 1 point to the St. Eithne's paltry nil. However, even though St. Eithne's had lost most of the ground in the first ten minutes they managed to learn to hold the Pennyburn marauders out in the second section of the first half.

The extremely positive and encouraging mid match spiff given by Coach Meehan inspired the team to change the whole tone of the match. The second half did not resemble in any way the first. With the wind at their backs, the sun in their opponets eyes and the slope of the pitch heading straight towards the St. Pat's Goals, St. Eithne's continued their now more solid defense with Conor & Ronan directing the play intelligently and uncompromisingly from the full back line. However, they were also able to take the game to the opposition.

St. E's went on the attack. Some absolutely beautiful passing moves sent the ball up the field creating goal scoring opportunities by the bagful. Now the boys were learning how to create offensive moves whilst trying desperately to capitalise on their newly learnt skills. Coach Meehan was now silent as he watched his team grow up in this second half. Pride swelled his breast and a large smile cpoursed acrosss his jaw. Hearts of lions every man jack of them battled on. This raggamuffin, motley crew pushed to move the ball forward closer to the St. Pat's goal line. Some were wearing jerseys of a borrowed kit from the sister school down the road and with a mix of United, Leeds and Arsenal shorts (Not a single Liverpool shirt in sight).

Suddenly a passing combination from Ronan to Shaun to Kealan to Darren produced a near goal! Wow! Now St. Eithne's surged forward with a new highly charged expectation. Pulling together, they pushed and passed the ball, harried and hustled the opposition gritted their teeth and dug their heels in to grind their way towards the forward libne and out of the back field. Whilst Paul took up a strong position in mid-field, Tony and Gerard covered different areas of the field helping the team set up more and more attacks. First Niall to Ronan to Kealan until finally Gavin took a chance at the opponents goal. Gavin's deftly taken kick lashed the ball into the corner of the goals and huge roar of glee and downright satisfaction went up around the field. The team's huge efforts had finally reaped a deserved reward and the boys were understandably elated. This goal set the ball rolling, so to speak, and St. Eithne's put in attack after attack. Transformed from a "defend and break team" to a determined side using out and out attack tactics, they looked like taking a few extra scores.

A free was given 18 yards from the St. Pat's nets and Kealan stepped up to tap it skilfully over the bar. One goal and one point, a magnificent trophy for a young courageous side playing their first match ever. The final whistle blown the final score 4 goals 2points to 1goal 1 point. All credit must go to St. Pat's for their well earned victory. However, St. Eithne's boys also deserve some praise. After heartily shaking hands with many of the opposition they came away from their first match glowing with pride and feeling a great sense of achievement.
Winning isn't everything for a group of boys who discovered that they truly do have

"HEARTS LIKE LIONS".