Our u16 football championship continued this weekend with the final rounds of their Championship Group stages. Given the every expanding injury list, it was a real testiment to the panel to be able to field two teams today ( with support again from some of the u14 players & thanks again to the lads that supported )

Our Green team ( A team) played away against Kilmacud Crokes

This was the final round of the C Chapmionship with both us and Crokes sitting on top, Crokes have had an impressive run keeping their two last opponents to 0-3 in both games. We went into the game confident despite a number of absensences & injuries. At one stage this morning we had more injured players show up to travel than fit players.

The game started at break kneck speed, we got a nice point and Crokes responded with a point and two well worked goals. We were a bit shell shocked with conceding the early goals, but thankfully the water break came at the right moment in the game. With a few spirited words from Stephen Richardson ringing in the lads ears, they responded and we came out and won the 2nd Quarter, coming in at half time all level 2-2 to 1-5

We had them on the ropes in the 2nd half but credit to Crokes and their quality, they responded and the game was very nip & tuck through the 2nd half, they got a point we responded, they got a goal we responded, we got a goal they responded... that was pretty much the way the 2nd half went, neither team deserved to lose today, but unfortunately the luck was against us and we lost out to a good side. 5-5 to 3-8

Our White team ( B Team ) played at home on a cold evening on Bells Pitch against Templogue Syng St

We started slowely against Templogue and they capitalised on our early mistakes, Templogue were a very good side which could be seen from early stages with a good spine through their team.. The lads battled hard in the 1st half but came in behind. The 2nd half started and we had the wind in our face... But the lads continued to battle, heads dropped at stages in patches of the game, but they kept dusting themselves off and playing on...

To put it in perspective today as we had a number of injuries to the panel we could only play three eligible u16 players with the remainder made up with u15s and some u14s.... So it is a great credit to the lads they continue to work hard and continue playing football. There training attendance is impecable and they lack nothing for effort, it was just unfortunate this evening that we were down a lot of players that could have supported them more from within the panel.

Next steps for both teams

Green team progress to the Quarter Final Championship & the White team go into the shield competition.

Well done to all the lads in what has been a difficult couple of weeks & speedy recovery to the lads that are out injured at the moment.