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Archive News and Match Reports ’04 –
‘05
June 14th 2005
2:55pm - Breaking News
– Our 5-a-side
Soccer Team are All Ireland
Champions.
1. [March 4th] The hurling season is upon us again and the
boys on the various school teams have returned to training. Some good sessions
have been done already but a lot of practice is still needed if we are to do
well in the competitions after Easter.
We played in the
INTO seven-a-side competition lately and even though we came away without a
victory against any of the teams, we competed very well. Both managers and
players learnt a lot from the day and are now keenly looking forward to
future games. Well done to all those involved.
2. [April 8th] We played our first competitive game in the U13
Hurling League against Scoil Lorcáin yesterday in very
wintry and showery conditions. It was a very hard fought game where both
teams showed their desire to get the season off to a winning start. Even
though we were behind at the break, we took the lead half way through the second
half and bravely fought off a number of attacks with stout defending. However
as the game drew to a close we conceded a number of goals which handed
victory to Scoil Lorcáin at the final whistle. Well done to all the lads who
once again represented their school with great pride.
Final Score St
Declans 2 - 2 Scoil Lorcáin 3 – 6
3. [April 11th] Senior Soccer - St Declans
v St Stephens
The
scene was set, it was a glorious, sunny afternoon and the boys were ready for
their first encounter of the year. All boys were in great humour before the
match and were eager to put in to action the hard work done in pre season
training.
St
Declans started very confidently by challenging for every ball. By holding
the ball up and passing it with ease opportunities soon arose.With some great
individual skill from the left wing player the ball was threaded through to
the centre forward, who controlled the ball delightfully. With the finest of
touches he managed to direct the ball underneath the St Stephens
goalkeeper.
St Declans were now looking for
another goal and the hunger for it was soon rewarded through a magnificent
strike from outside the box. St
Stephens started to play the ball on the ground much better and from what seemed
a good position for St Declans, St Stephens caught them off guard and scored
their first goal.
St
Declans then moved into another gear and started playing some of their finest
football. By combining skill and
determination they passed the ball around the box patiently looking for an
opening in the St Stephens defence.
Deservedly just before half time the pressure became too much for St
Stephens. What only can be described as a piercing pass which cut the St
Stephens defence in half, the St Declans forward broke away from his marker
and scored his second goal.
Half
Time Score St Declans 3
- 1 St Stephens
St
Stephens started the second half with great determination and they closed
down every pass from the St Declan players.
St Declans defence was certainly tested and some great goal saving
tackles were made. The St Declans goalkeeper showed his worth more than once
in the second half.With fantastic reactions and athleticism he saved three
goal bound strikes.
Due
to sheer hard work St Stephens scored their second goal and now found
themselves back in the game.
With
St Stephens holding their heads high St Declans players used their experience
and kept the ball and passed it around.
Their confidence was soon restored through a great run from the St
Declans striker. With great composure
he charged toward the goal and tucked the ball into the right hand corner to
secure his hat trick. The game now was now wrapped up.
Final
Score
St Declans 4
- 2 St Stephens
The Referee awarded man of the
match to our goalkeeper, which showed the vital part a goalkeeper plays in
any game of football. The win was down
to the whole team playing together and the will to battle until the final
whistle. Well done. We now look
forward to the Final.
4. [April 12th] The U11 Hurling campaign got off
to a great start today as we ran out convincing winners over St Stephens in a
very sporting game played in beautiful Spring sunshine. Even though we were fortunate
to get off to a lucky start we soon settled down and from then on we never
looked back. Some good teamwork out the field added to by some excellent
personal performances helped our forwards to create a number of impressive
scores. Well done boys.
5. [April 13th] Today we played our second game in the U13 Hurling League away to Portlaw. Once again this was a very hard fought game
with lots of good tussles all over the field. There were a few scores early
on but on the brink of half time we conceded a goal which left us one point
behind. Almost immediately after the break we scored a very good point to
level the match however that was the games last score. Both teams had their
chances to win but just couldn’t get the vital touch needed. So at full
time it finished a draw which was probably a fair result overall.
Final Score St
Declans 1 - 2 Potrlaw 1 – 2
6. [April 19th] Today we played our second game in the U11 Hurling League at home to St Marys Ballygunner in very wet and poor
conditions. Despite the slippery surface and heavy rain all the players
battled gamely and ground hurling was the order of the day. Scores were
difficult to come by and unfortunately for us we didn’t take advantage
of some good opportunities. At half time we were behind by a 1-1 to no score.
An early goal in the second half put us right back in the game however
Ballygunner soon replied with two of their own which put the game beyond our
reach.
Final Score St
Declans 1 – 0 Ballygunner 3
– 1
7. [April 21st ] Today in perfect conditions we played away to St Marys Ballygunner in
our third match in the U13 Hurling League. It soon
became apparent that this Ballygunner side were a very competent bunch of
players and despite our best efforts we found it very difficult to defend
against wave after wave of attacks.We got a bit of a boost early in the
second half when we scored a well taken goal but from then on it really was
all Ballygunner. Despite the flow of the game a number of our players did
play exceptionally well but overall it was a game to forget I’m afraid.
Better luck next time lads.
This match today now brings to an end the hurling season for the U13
team. Even though no trophies were won both managers were very pleased
overall with the effort made by the players and especially their commitment
to training. And finally ……… a special thanks to their
parents who continue to be very supportive.
Also
today the school athletics team were in action in the RSC
in the well organized Waterford
and South Kilkenny Primary Schools Sports competition. It was a beautiful
evening although it did turn cool as the sun went down. All classes from 1st
to 6th were represented and they competed in sprints, middle
distance and relays. Everyone gave of their best and Mr O Mahony was very
pleased with the behaviour of our boys. We had many successes during the
evening and at the end of the night we were awarded “BEST OVERALL
SCHOOL” –
this title we retained from last year. Well done again lads.
8. [April 27th ] Today in bright conditions in the college field we played Scoil
Lorcáin in the U11 Hurling League. This was a
real contest .. two equally good teams giving their all from start to finish
where every ball was fiercely contested. We were very happy with our first
half display and at half time we were leading by two goals to nil. Then with
the aid of a light breeze Scoil Lorcáin really came into the game and we were
struggling to even get the sliotar out of our own half at times. In the
second half we failed to score and as the game approached full time our lead
had been whittled down to two points. When the final whistle blew all our
lads jumped for joy as they knew they had won a very close game. Great credit
must be given Scoil Lorcáin for their part in one of the best games of the
year. Well done to both teams.
Final Score St Declans 2 – 0 Scoil Lorcáin 1 – 1
9. [May 10th] We came into todays U11 Hurling League game
away to Mount Sion in confident mood. The early
exchanges were brisk and intense and we found it very hard to break through
the stout Mount
Sion defense. Slowly
the scores came and from then on we were the more dominant team on the day.
Well done to all the lads but especially to our full forward who scored five
goals today.
10. [ May12th] In what was a semi-final for us today we played an under strength St
Pauls NS in our last game of the U11 Hurling League and came away with another resounding victory. The weather and
the pitch were perfect for hurling today. Our backs defended very well and
our forwards, aided by another five goal hero today, were always busy around
the goal. We now look forward to the final and urge as many people as
possible to come along and support this team.
11. [May 17th ] Tournament Report
Ribena FAI 5 a-side soccer
tournament.
Our
second outing of the soccer season was upon us. St Declans were asked to enter two teams to
take part in the 5 a-side tournament held at Tramore Soccer Club. Two strong
teams were taken to the tournament.
Both teams were certain to play three games that afternoon.
Group A First
Game
St Declans A played their first game against Mount Sion.
With the players not being used to playing 5 a-side football the first
few minutes were frantic and both teams were finding their feet. The fast passing and fluency of play from
the St Declans players put them two goals in front at half time. The second half started the same as the
first half ended with St Declans controlling the play. The third goal was inevitable as Mount Sion found it hard to match the St
Declans for speed and fitness. The
match was secured in the last minute when St Declans accumulated about ten
consecutive passes and tucked in to the Mount Sion
net.
Final Score
St Declans A 4 - 0 Mount Sion
Second Game
St Declans A were to play Scoil Lorcon in their second
game. It was obvious to see from the
start that Scoil Lorcáin were a far more physical side than St Declans. Both sides were playing very fluent
football. Opportunities arose for both
sides in the opening minutes. St
Declans adapted very well to the different style of football Scoil Lorcáin
were adopting. Scoil Lorcáin started
to pass the ball very well between all players and their persistence payed
off and Scoil Lorcáin scored their first goal. With St Declans one goal down
they picked themselves up and started to ask serious questions of the Scoil
Lorcáin defence. The solid and secure
defence that Scoil Lorcáin implemented for most of the game now seemed to
have crumbled. Sharp and piercing
passes from the St Declans players now seemed to threaten the Scoil Lorcáin
goal.
All the determination and patience finally paid off for
St Declans and the equaliser was scored a deserved goal.
Final
Score St Declans A 1
- 1 Scoil Lorcáin
Third
Game
St
Declans now found themselves in the semi final against Holy Cross. It was evident to see that St Declans were
playing a different class of football than Holy Cross and dominated the game
from the start. The first goal was scored very quickly and was a result of
excellent running from the wing player.
Holy Cross then caught St Declans off guard and powered in a goal from distance. This only fuelled the St Declans players,
both wing players now were making fantastic runs down both flanks in order to
get behind the Holy Cross defence.
Their persistence paid off and two quick goals were scored in
succession. The skill from the St
Declan players was just a delight to see.
St Declans were now playing with great confidence and Holy Cross were
finding it hard to compete. St Declans
forth goal came from a corner which was floated in to the back post, the
midfield player met it with a text book volley which shoot into the bottom
right corner of the goal. St Declans secured the win by scoring their fifth
goal which was an excellent team goal, all player were in involved.
Final
Score St Declans A 5
- 1 Holy Cross
Group
B First Game
St Declans B started their
campaign against St Stephens. The game
started with a quick and well deserved goal from the St Declans forward. He displayed fantastic pieces of individual
skill to pass three St Stephens players and tuck the ball underneath the
surprised goalkeeper.
St Declans then built on this
excellent start. The ball from then on
never left seemed to leave the St Stephens half. St Declans kept possession
which infuriated the St Stephens players and the pressure seemed to be to
much and the third inevitable goal was scored. The second half started with St Stephens
forcing St Declans into a few mistakes.
St Stephens played some fluent football they were finding their wing
players with long and accurate passes.
A well deserved goal was scored by the St Stephens forward. St Declans then moved up a gear and
frustrated the St Stephen players by keeping the football. They then played the same kind of skilful
football they started with in the first half.
A magnificent run was made by the midfielder which was complemented by
and accurate pass from the right defence player. He controlled it with ease and struck the
ball sweetly over the head of the St Stephens goalkeeper. The game was now
deservedly won.
Final Score St Declans B 4
- 1 St Stephens
Second Game.
Holy Cross was our second
hurdle. The game started at a frantic
pace which surprised the St Declans players who seemed to be still standing
still as Holy Cross scored their first goal.
St Declans players then picked up their game and passed the ball
accurately. The two front players for
St Declans asked questions of the Holy Cross defence. The Holy Cross
defense started to show gaps. St Declans soon found those gaps and their
first goal came from a neatly threaded pass from the midfielder that the
forward slotted in. Now St Declans
heads were up and they really started to play superb football. Holy Cross seemed to be now chasing the
game. With St Declans in charge the
goals seemed to come with ease the second, third and forth goal came from the
same creative forward player. The St
Stephens defense had no answers for the striker. With every St Declans player wanting a bit
of the action they were unfortunately caught off guard and Holy Cross scored
their second goal. So the St Declans
players played the last few minutes cautiously. An opportunity opened for the
midfield player in the last minute, he capitalised on it and made the final
score 5 goals to two.
Final Score St DeclansB 5
- 2 Holy Cross
Third Game
St Declans now found themselves
in the semi final against Scoil Lorcáin.
We all knew that this game was going to be very physical. It started at a very hasty pace. The St Declans defence was breached in the
first minute and Scoil Lorcáin scored a well worked goal. St Declans tried their very best to get
back into the game. Scoil Lorcáin were
playing some very fluent football.
Their piercing and accurate passing took them two goals in front. At the start of the second half the St
Declans players looked a different team.
They started confidently and were tackling strongly this unnerved the
Scoil Lorcáin players. To great
delight the St Declans got the break they needed and scored their first
goal. The second goal then followed
quickly. With the game now at two
goals a piece the game was all to play for.
Scoil Lorcáin picked the pace up and pressed the St Declans defence,
they defended excellently and took everything Scoil Lorcáin could throw at
them. With all the Scoil Lorcáin
players in the St Declans half the opportunity arose to catch them off
guard. The ball was played out by the
St Declan defender and was chased down by the St Declan striker he charged
towards the goal oozing confidence. He
struck the ball which curled gracefully in to the top right hand corner.
Scoil Lorcáin answered with a great individual run which resulted in a
goal. The teams were matched in skill,
fitness and determination. With only a
few minutes left both teams scored in quick succession. It was 4 goals a
piece at the final whistle and the golden goal was enforced. The first team to score a goal in extra
time will be the winners and in to final against their school mates St
Declans A. After receiving a few wise
words from Mr O’Mahony. The boys
had only one thing on their mind.
Within thirty seconds St Declans regained possession and found an
opening in the now worried Scoil Lorcáin defence. The ball was passed through
to our leading scorer, he made no mistake and placed the ball in to the back
of the net.
Final Score St Declans 5
- 4 Scoil Lorcáin
The Final.
So both of the teams had made it
to the final. The boys were getting
ready to play against the same boys they play against every day in the
yard. Having both St Declan teams in the
final only highlighted the footballing talent that St Declans possess. It was a good game and with any final one
team has to be victorious. On the day
St Declans A had the better of the St Declans B team. All players were happy and celebrated
together on the bus home. They now
look forward to travelling to Limerick to take part in the Ribena FAI 5
a-side Munster
championships.
All boys should be proud of the
way they behaved and their excellent attitude on the pitch.
12. [June 1st ] Today we played in the final of the U11 Hurling
League against St Marys Ballygunner in
a sunny and dry Walsh Park. A lot of preparation had been done and we were
very optimistic about our chances. However it wasn’t to be our day. Two
early goals conceded really made the task very difficult for our boys and we
found ourselves chasing the game from then on. Despite battling hard
especially in the early stages of the second half we just couldn’t get
the significant score that would have lifted the whole team. When the final
whistle blew there was no disputing who was the better team. We were all disappointed
but we knew we had squandered too many good chances. Later the team was
thanked for their efforts and congratulated for having reached the final.
Once again a special thanks to all parents who brought the lads to training
so often in preparation for this and all previous games.
Final Score St Declans 1 – 1 Ballygunner 5 –
5
Also today our 5-a-side soccer team were in action in Limerick representing Waterford in the Munster
5-a-side championships. They played a number of tough games and were undefeated
on the day and as a result were crowned Munster Champions. This is a major
achievement and we are all very proud of the team.
13. [June 9th] More good news today!!! and cups too!!! Our senior soccer squad played Mount Sion in the final of the Jack Kennedy Cup and ran
winners after a close game played in very warm conditions in Ozier Park. Both teams were well supported
but the loudest cheer for the day was heard when our super sub popped up to
score his second goal … amazing … as he was only on the pitch a
few minutes!! These boys have had a great run of success lately so well done
one and all. Full Report
Final Score -
St Declans 2 -
Mount Sion 0
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