St Patrick's BNS

Our Gaelic Football team reached the Dublin Schools’ Gaelic Football Shield Final in Croke Park just before Hallowe’en and emerged victorious after a great display against Wedgewood NS. This was the first time in nearly 30 years that the school’s Gaelic Football team had reached the finals in Croke Park. After losing our first two league games the inexperienced team suddenly began to click and we had 3 hard-fought victories in a row which saw us progress through to the Shield Final in Croke Park.

Mr. Booth and Mr. Lane brought a squad of 26 very excited young footballers to ‘Croker’ for a day they will never forget. We togged out in a huge dressing room and then warmed up on an indoor astro pitch. The team sprinted onto the pitch full of determination to enjoy the day and to give it their all to try to win the cup for their school.

We dominated the game from start to finish and due to some wonderful scoring we were well ahead at halftime. This allowed the coaches to bring on all of the substitutes for some ‘game time’ meaning every one of the 26 members of the panel can now claim that they played and won on the hallowed turf of Croke Park. The stalwarts of the team excelled themselves and special praise must go to Adam Carr and Evan Cummins in the full-back line, Lance and Justin in the half-back line, Jake, Paul and Aaron out around the middle, and Jack, Darragh and the prolific Evan Kelch in the forward line. Others who performed heroically on the day included Lee in goal, Malcolm, Adam, Tadhg, Dylan, Evan Murray, Sean McPeake and all of the other boys who got to play on the day.

Our captain, Lance, accepted the shield on behalf of the team. We had a great reception with food and drink back in Clanna Gael afterwards and Dublin footballer, Ger Brennan, presented the panel with medals at our annual Christmas Carol Service in Ringsend Church. Well done to a fantastic team who never give up, play with great skill and determination and have wonderful discipline. Heroes all!