Junior's Finish League Campaign In Style

St Margaret's 2-15(21) St Pats Donabate 1-09(12)
The Junior men finished their league campaign with an excellent win Sunday morning at home against St Pats Donabate.
St Margaret's played with the wind in the first half so it was imperative we settled early to make the most of that advantage. There was no yards given in the opening exchanges with both teams setting down a marker early. St Pats drew first blood with a pointed free in the 5th minute before Dave Reilly levelled from play shortly after. We again exchanged points before St Margaret's kicked on with four unanswered points from play before the water break. Jason Shanahan scored two cracking points and the others came from Charlie Byrne and Darren Newman. St Margaret's upped the intensity before half time which resulted in us outscoring our opponents 1-03 to 0-02 in the second period of the first half. Derek Barry was pin point accurate with a super score from a 45. St Margaret's worked hard to win the resulting kick out and the ball was floated into the St Pats box where it was met instinctively by Charlie's fist and buried into the back of the net. St Margaret's lead by 1-09 (12) to 0-05(5) at the break.
St Pats were rattled and started the second half with numerous long range shots that dropped short into James Kennedy's capable hands. Although we knew they would have their purple patch sometime it was St Margaret's that were playing all the football and again scored four unanswered points, these scores came from Derek, Dave (1f), Darren and Charlie. St Pats reacted and start coming more and more into the game. They scored two points from play but just before the second have water break Ryan Milling went on a marauding run and kicked a great point from play to halt their momentum for now. We needed to close out the game strong but our defensive understandably were starting to tire after their heroics up to now. St Pats scored 1-02 without reply and now there was only five points between us with five minutes remaining. As St Pats drove at us looking to reduce the deficit our defense stood firm with James pulling off some great saves and Ronan Howard with a last ditch block. But we weren't finished either, we finished strong with a great individual goal from the ever improving Damien Murphy and a pointed free from Dave Reilly.
Again we would like to give recognition to the extended panel especially the lads that didn't get game time. These lads train hard every session and push each other each and every time.
Scores: Charlie Byrne 1-03, Dave Reilly 0-04 (3 frees), Damien Murphy 1-00, Jason Shanahan 0-02, Darren Newman 0-02, Derek Barry 0-02 (1 free), Ryan Milling 0-02.
St Margaret's: James Kennedy, Ronan Howard, David Martin, Paddy Winters, Ryan Milling, Tony Stritch, Adam Kennedy, Damien Murphy, Jamie Sutton, Darren Newman, Dave Reilly, Derek Barry, Dean Fox, Charlie Byrne, Jason Shanahan.
Sub Used: Colm Barry, Eoin Hanlon, Shane Sutton.
Upcoming Fixtures - Challenge v Round Tower Lusk on 17.08.21 in St Margaret's @ 8pm

by Administrator

Junior's Record Another Impressive League Win

St Margaret's 2-20(26) Beann Eadair 1-05(08)
The Junior men continue their impressive league form with an away win Sunday morning in the picturesque Howth against Beann Eadair.
We arrived here in great form on the back of a league win midweek and this continued immediately from the throw in. Drew Barnwell scored within 30 seconds of the start and we then tagged on another three unanswered points from Charlie Byrne(f), James O'Connor and Dave Reilly before Beann Eadair scored a goal in the eighth minute to reduce the deficit. This gave us something to think about but we responded in the perfect way with a great team goal of our own finished off by Drew. Both teams then exchanged points for the remainder of the first half with St Margaret's coming from play by David Martin, Darren Newman and Dave Reilly. Everyone was working hard to win possession from our own kickouts and James Kennedy picked out Darren Newman of numerous occasions to set up attack after attack. St Margaret's lead by 1-10 (13) to 1-03(6) at the break.
Beann Eadair were reduced to 14 men which ended the game as a contest and St Margaret's were rampant outscoring our opponents 1-10 to 0-02 in the second half. A special mention to the lads that didn't start the match but when called upon to come into the game took their opportunity and scored an impressive 1-06 between them. Jason Shanahan and Ossie McGuinness in particular were excellent. This gives the management team lots of food for thought for our upcoming fixtures.
Our large panel is proving invaluable to us in recent weeks with injuries and holidays. The attitude has been brilliant by all.
Scores: Dave Reilly 0-06 (2 frees), Drew Barnwell 1-01, Jason Shanahan 1-01, Charlie Byrne 0-02 (1 frees), Ossie McGuiness 0-02, James O'Connor 0-01, David Martin 0-01, Darren Newman 0-01, Derek Barry 0-01, Adam Kennedy 0-01, Dean Fox 0-01, Conor Howard 0-01, Marc Thomas 0-01.
St Margaret's: James Kennedy, Ronan Howard, John Kennedy, Paddy Winters, Richie Rooney, Dave Martin, Adam Kennedy, Damien Murphy, Tony Stritch, Darren Newman, Dave Reilly, Derek Barry, Charlie Byrne, Drew Barnwell, James O'Connor.
Sub Used: Marc Thomas, Conor Howard, Jason Shanahan, Dean Fox, Ossie McGuinness, Neil McGuirk, Shane Sutton.
Upcoming Fixtures - Challenge v Fingal Ravens on 29.07.21 in St Margaret's @ 8.15pm League v St Pats Donabate on 08.08.21 in St Margaret's @ 11am

by Administrator

Junior's Beat Barrog In League

St Margaret's 0-16(16) Naomh Barrog 1-10(13)
Great league win Tuesday evening at home against Naomh Barrog.
Both teams exchanged a point a piece in the opening two minutes before St Margaret's kicked on with an impressive three unanswered points from play from Derek Barry (2) and Darren Newman. Unfortunately against the run of play Naomh Barrog won a turnover and made the most of it with a well worked goal to get them back into the game. As always our lads responded with some excellent football which resulted in us scoring the next four points. More impressive was how we were winning possession of our own kickout, James pinpoint kickouts were hitting their targets, made a little easier by all the lads working hard for space. St Margeret's lead by 0-09 (9) to 1-02(5) at the break.
St Margarets again started the half brighter with three excellent unanswered points from Adam Kennedy, John Colgan and Dave Reilly. Damien Murphy played really well after coming off the bench at half time and was awarded with a really well executed point just before the second half water break which was enough to keep Naomh Barrog at arms length for now. Barrog were the stronger team in the last quarter and pushed hard to get back into the game. This pressure led to us conceding too many frees in scorable positions and also resulted in a second yellow and black card for St Margarets players. With 13 men for the last few minutes the lads dug deep and Charlie kicked a great point at the death to settle everyone and secure a super win.
Scores: Dave Reily 0-04 (2 frees), Derek Barry 0-03, Charlie Byrne 0-02, Adam Kennedy 0-01, Darren Newman 0-01, Drew Barnwell 0-01, Joe Gilligan 0-01, John Colgan 0-01, Damien Murphy 0-01, James O'Connor 0-01.
St Margaret's: James Kennedy, Ronan Howard, Dave Martin, Paddy Winters, Ryan Milling, Tony Stritch, Adam Kennedy, Joe Gilligan, John Colgan, Darren Newman, Dave Reilly, Derek Barry, Jason Shanahan, Drew Barnwell, James O'Connor.
Sub Used: Damien Murphy, Charlie Byrne, Marc Thomas.
Next Match - League v Beann Eadair on 25.07.21 in Howth @ 11am

by Administrator

Junior's Start League Campaign With A Win

St Margaret's 1-20(23) Scoil Ui Chonaill 1-13(16)

The Juniors kicked off their league campaign with an impressive away win on Sunday morning in sunny Clontarf v Scoil Ui Chonaill.

This was most definitely a game of two halves. The game started with both teams exchanging points from play in the opening 2mins. Playing with a slight wind St Margarets kicked seven unanswered points, some of which were excellent team scores. Scoil responded with points of their own before our lads again took the game to them with an impressive scoring spree which included a goal from Darren Newman and points from Dean Fox, Dave Reilly, Charlie Byrne and Adam Kennedy. Scoil let us off the hook with a missed penalty with the last kick of the first half. This was a excellent half of impressive football and St Margeret's lead by 1-16 (19) to 0-05(5) at the break.

A Dave Reilly point early in the second half extended our lead and as expected Scoil responded with an all out attack on our goals scoring one goal and four points without response. St Margarets settled back into the game with two excellent points from Jamie Sutton and Philly McCarthy. Again the home side responded with another three points before substitute Paul Lumley kicked a late point to seal the victory.

Lots for the players and management to think about but all in all it was an excellent away win in our first competitive match in months. We just want to give recognition to the extended panel especially the lads that didn't get game time. These lads train hard every session and push each other each and every time. No doubt when called upon as we progress through the competition they will be ready for action.

Scores: Charlie Byrne 0-07(5 frees), Dean Fox 0-05, Dave Reily 0-03, Darren Newman 1-00, Jason Shanahan 0-01, Jamie Sutton 0-01, Adam Kennedy 0-01, Philly McCarthy 0-01, Paul Lumley 0-01,
St Margaret's: James Kennedy, Trevor Rogers, Tucker Daly, Paddy Winters, Tony Stritch, David Martin, Adam Kennedy, Jamie Sutton, John Colgan, Dean Fox, Dave Reilly, Conor Howard, Darren Newman, Charlie Bryne, Jason Shanahan.

Sub Used: Philly McCarthy, Paul Lumley, James O'Connor.

Thanks to everyone for the support at the game. Great to see the 1st team lads in attendance to support the Juniors.

Next Match - Challenge Match v Ballyboughal 18.06.21 in Ballyboughal @ 7.30pm

by Administrator

Junior Championship Exit

St Margaret's 1-06 St Anne’s 1-15
On a lovely morning for football we went into this match full of confidence. We drew first blood with a great point from play by David Reilly following some excellent teamwork out the field. Very soon after we lost Dean Fox to injury which seemed to take the wind out of our sails and St Anne’s got on top. We went in at the 1st half water break 0-01 to 0-03 points down. We rallied immediately after this break with points from Jack Walsh and Philly McCarthy but our discipline in the tackle let us down and St Anne’s scored 1-03 (penalty and 3 frees) in the second quarter to lead 0-03 to 1-06 at half time.
Again we got the first score of the second half through a David Reilly free kick. Unfortunately St Anne’s really started to turn the screw with five unanswered points to lead 0-04 to 1-11 at the second half water break. We were then hit with a sucker punch when we were reduced to 14 men but credit to the lads they never gave up trying. The substitutions added some missing energy to our attack with Colm Barry and Richie Monks battling hard. Jack Walsh converted a penalty late on.
The players and management team were extremely disappointed with the result but this team has a great mixture of experience and youth and will no doubt get stronger as a team from this experience.
Scores: Jack Walsh 1-01, David Reilly 0-02(1f), Dean Fox 0-01, Colm Barry 0-01, Philly McCarthy 0-01
St Margaret's: James Kennedy, Tucker Daly, David Martin, Ronan Howard, Gazz Hickey, John Colgan, Adam Kennedy, Gearod Farrell, Dean Fox, Jack Walsh, Shane Sutton, Conor Howard, Derek Barry, Drew Barnwell, David Reilly.
Sub Used: Philly McCarthy, Joe Gilligan, Richie Monks, Colm Barry.
We will regroup at training this week and plan our assault on the cup/shield competition we are now involved in. Thanks to everyone for the continued support, the lads really appreciate it.

by Administrator