Mini Féile blitz

As part of the GAA"s 125th anniversary celebrations, Leinster GAA arranged for a series of mini blitzes last Saturday among U-14 football teams from around the province. Maryland/Tang were chosen to host one of these blitzes and welcomed the Shannon Gaels (Longford) and Round Towers (Dublin) to Tang. Each of the teams played each other in 40-minute games. Maryland/Tang v Shannon Gaels Maryland/Tang and Shannon Gaels were the first pairing in action. The hosts started in whirlwind fashion and were eight points up within ten minutes of the throw-in. Keith Malynn opened the scoring with a point and this was quickly followed by a goal from midfielder Philip Ganly. Minutes later, following a brave goal-line block by Shannon Gaels" Andrew Rhatigan, Gary Connaughton was alert to send the rebound to the net. Conor Lowry had M/T"s last score of the first half on ten minutes. At this stage the Rathcline based Shannon Gaels started to impose themselves on the game as captain Gareth O"Reilly became prominent around the middle of the park. Indeed, O"Reilly got his team off the mark on the 15th minute with a goal after a surging run. M/T were now under the cosh and some great defending from Billy Elliot prevented another Shannon Gaels" goal. The Longford outfit were rewarded for their pressure as Jack Rooney kicked a great point in the last action of the half to leave M/T leading by 2-2 to 1-1. In the second half, Shannon Gaels edged closer as O"Reilly pointed a free to reduce the gap to three points. O"Reilly almost had his team on level pecking a minute later as his goal-bound effort was superbly saved by M/T netminder Mark Malynn. O"Reilly then added another pointed free on the ten minute mark as we looked set for a grandstand finish. Fortunately for M/T, Keith Malynn helped to relieve the pressure, jinxing his way in from the sideline and smartly fisting the ball over the bar. Both defences were on top at this stage as Conor Marlowe and Eugene Maguire featured prominently at either end. With two minutes remaining, M/T found the insurance score with Keith Malynn once again on the scoresheet as his long range free deceived everybody and ended up going straight to the net. This was extremely unfortunate on the Shannon Gaels lads as they had fought back bravely from a bad start and, indeed, only for the vital interventions of the Malynn brothers (Mark and Keith), could have gone on to get a result from the game. Final score: Maryland/Tang 3-3, Shannon Gaels 1-3. Shannon Gaels v Round Towers Next up was the meeting of Shannon Gaels and Round Towers. The Dublin lads finished the game stronger though, taking advantage of Shannon Gaels" tired legs, with Justin O"Hanlon hitting a hat-trick. The final scoreline was harsh on the Rathcline outfit as they ran out of steam in the end, clearly feeling the effects of their exertions from the opening game. Maryland/Tang v Round Towers Round Towers started off like they had finished their previous game, tagging on two points from Conor Doyle and Alan Gavin inside five minutes. Indeed, only a marvellous catch from corner-back Conor Brady prevented Round Towers from getting in for a goal opportunity. In the 8th minute, the hosts suddenly sparked into life as Gary Connaughton latched onto a dangerous ball into the goal area and buried the ball past the hapless Michael Cleary. From the ensuing kick-out, Philip Ganly added a point before the Clondalkin boys went down the other end of the field, with Adam Clarke pointing after a delightful dummy solo. At this stage M/T got on top, with Niall Neary popping a simple free over the bar while Ganly had his second point in the 12th minute. The ever alert Connaughton got his second goal a minute later as he punched a Fergus Farrell flick to the back of the net. Philip Ganly finished the half with a flourish, hitting two points, the second of which was the score of the game as Conor Lowry worked the ball out of defence, finding Neary with a long delivery, who then sent Ganly through Round Towers were now facing an uphill battle and matters didn"t improve on the restart as a Neary free and a Farrell point extended the hosts" lead. M/T captain Bryan O"Donohue led his team from the front, cutting out a number of dangerous balls, as Round Towers attempted to get back into the game. Niall Neary pointed a free as the game entered the last ten minutes. Christopher Delaney added a pointed free from distance and when Joseph Murphy thundered an unstoppable shot from a 14m free to the net, we looked set for a tense finish. Kenny Egan now came to the fore at centre-back as he helped to shut out the Round Towers attack. Tired legs seemed to get the better of the Clondalkin outfit as Neary had his fourth minor from a free and Conor Marlowe (now operating at midfield) concluded the scoring with a goal from a fantastic soccer style volley. This left a rather flattering final scoreline of 3-9 to 1-5 in favour of Maryland/Tang. Maryland/Tang: Mark Malynn, Billy Elliot, Conor Marlowe, Conor Brady, Bryan O"Donohue, Kenny Egan, Conor Lowry, Fergus Farrell, Philip Ganly, Alan Nugent, Niall Neary, Paul O"Donohue, Keith Malynn, Conor Farrell, Paddy Reilly, Gary Connaughton, Brian Moran, Gareth Cloono, Patrick Dunlea, Lee Coughlan, Ian Coughlan. Shannon Gaels: Stephen Donohue, Conal Kennelly, Andrew Rhatigan, Jack Rooney, Shane Kenny, Niall Keane, Sean Costello, Gareth O"Reilly, Eugene Maguire, Oisin O"Sullivan, Kieran Lisle, Stephen Tobin, Conor English, Iarla O"Sullivan, Kevin Sorohan, Jamie O"Donohue. Round Towers: Michael Cleary, Conor Fitzgerald, Liam Breen, Andrew Pollard, Shane Boland, Gary Quinlivan, Cian Ryan, Joseph Murphy, Alex Whelan, Alan Gavin, Dylan McCarthy, Michael Walsh, Adam Clarke, Christopher Delaney, Conor Doyle, Ciaran Brennan, Craig Carroll, Justin O"Hanlon, Gareth Looney. Referee: Maryland/Tang would like to extend their thanks to Martin Malone for his excellent handling of all three games. Footnote Afterwards, all three teams went to Tang Community Centre for refreshments. Maryland/Tang captain and vice-captain, Bryan O"Donohue and Niall Neary, presented the Shannon Gaels" and Round Towers" captains with plaques on behalf of the Maryland/Tang club. This was a sign of appreciation from the club and it is intended that return challenge matches will be played in both Round Towers" and Shannon Gaels" home grounds. Maryland/Tang would also like to thank all the parents, who brought food to the hall, and Ben Lynn for the use of the Community Centre.