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What an evening in Dromtarriffe! Our U12s headed north for their final county league group match. With both teams sitting level at top of the table with a place in the final at stake, the girls knew they had a tough encounter ahead and this game delivered excitement in spades.

The game was played at a ferocious pace from the start, with the lead changing hands constantly. Each team had periods of dominating possession and neither side was able to pull more than a couple of scores ahead as the clock ticked on. A purple patch for Passage in the closing minutes of the game ensured they came away with the victory and a well-deserved place in the county final, much to the delight of the large group of travelling supporters who as always were exemplary in their encouragement and support of the team.

A huge well done to this group of players who have already achieved so much this season and continue to do the club proud. Details of county final to follow!

Our U16s had a comprehensive win against Ballygarvan in the autumn league yesterday evening in very difficult conditions in Manning Park. Passage dominated possession in the first half playing some great attacking football, resulting in a sizeable lead at half time. More of the same followed in the second half with the girls’ work rate truly admirable in tough wet conditions and fading light.

Passage team: C. Walsh, I. O’Brien, T. Hanlon, K. Farrell, L. Finlay, S. Moynihan, C.Brady, E. Murphy (1-3), R. Killen, S. Ryan (0-3), R. Browne (1-0), S. O’Mahony (0-1), A. Keane (0-2), L. Coughlan (0-1), S. White, C. James (1-0), L. Kelly, K. Maxwell, C. Allen, E. O’Flynn, R. Hanlon

Our Junior panel pictured before this evening’s rescheduled championship match v Glanworth in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Sincere thanks to Stonemax for the sponsorship of training tops for the panel earlier this season, it is so much appreciated.

A win for Glanworth on the night but we hope the girls enjoyed the experience of playing in such top-class facilities. We wish Glanworth all the best in the semi-final. Thanks to all who came along to support the girls and stayed on despite the significant delay in throw-in.

Passage 4-17

Keelnameela 1-5

Our Junior ladies made the journey to Ahiohill this evening to face Keelnameela. After a somewhat subdued start, Passage began to find their rhythm and a goal from Kara Farrell opened their account. Passage went in at the break 7 points to the good but moved up a gear in the second half and some clinical scoring combined with a defensive masterclass led by captain Aoife Allen put the result beyond doubt. Credit to Keelnameela who kept fighting until the final whistle.

A special mention for all the U16s for the part they played in this evening’s victory, especially as a number of our adult players were unavailable. Next fixture is v Glanworth this Wednesday on Páirc Uí Chaoimh’s 4G pitch at 7.30pm.

Passage team: C.Mullane, K.McGranaghan, A.Allen, S. Moynihan, E. Moloney, S. Hughes, C.O’Connor, E. Murphy (0-1), S.Ryan (0-1), E. Heffernan (0-2), R. Killen, K. Farrell (1-0), S. O’Mahony (1-3), R. Browne (0-3), L. Hughes, T. Hanlon, L. Finlay (0-2), I. O’Brien (0-2), A. Keane (2-3)

U17 Footballers who were beaten this morning in the Championship final. Hard luck lads ye have had a great season.

Passage 4-15 – St. Vincents 4-4

The Passage U16 hurling team overcame the odds and emerged victorious against the formidable St. Vincent’s team last Wednesday night. The match, which took place at St. Vincent’s grounds last Wednesday night, saw Passage rewrite the script with a stunning display of determination, skill, and teamwork. Having been previously beaten by St. Vincent’s earlier in the summer, Passage found themselves labelled as the underdogs in the highly anticipated fixture. Nonetheless, they shattered expectations from the onset, scoring a magnificent goal by star forward Sean Coughlan in the opening minute. This score set the stage for a captivating and hard-fought battle that pulsated throughout the match. Before Vincents could catch their breath he added another point after a solo run through the Vincents defence. Vincents who are always a hard nut to crack came back and almost scored a goal only for Passage keeper Jack Barry to pull off a great save. The Passage’s backs were battling hard in this tenacious battle, with Shane Whyte, Oisin O’Sullivan, Dermot Buckley, Alex Maher, Carlos O’Callaghan and Josh Walton giving exceptional displays of skill throughout the game.

U-14 star Philip Heavey and Sean Coughlan scored two more points to leave Passage 6 points up after 10 minutes. The match flowed end to end and both sides missed some scoring chances before Vincents finally got off the mark with a well-taken goal from their centre forward. Passage replied immediately scoring a fortunate goal from Philip Heavey after the keeper spilled the ball. Passage midfielders Calum Griffin who ran himself to a standstill and captain Orhan O’Donovan were winning the midfield battle. Vincents were finding the going hard but scored the next two points and it would have been three only for an outstanding block from corner forward Ben Walton out in the middle of the park. This block highlighted the work that these Passage players were putting in.

Half-forward Josh Barry and Cathal Lee were working up and down the pitch all night and it was an impressive sight. Passage settled back into their groove and Sean Coughlan fired over a free after full forward Zac Hanlon was fouled. From the puck out Calum Griffin caught the sliotar from out of the sky and passed to Sean Coughlan who split the posts from out by the sideline. Carlos O’Cllaghan and Dermot Buckley cleared an amount of ball in the next few minutes hooking, blocking and giving their opponents no time to settle on the ball. Philip scored a great point after a great pass from Orhan to lift the siege. Sean Coughlan fired over another free to increase the Passage lead to 8 points with 10 minutes left in the half.

The clash of the titans was unfolding with tough battles reverberating across every inch of the pitch. The Passage players showcased their expertise by skillfully executing blocking, hooking, and delivering strong yet fair challenges. The sheer commitment and dedication displayed by these young players was nothing short of inspiring, as they left no stone unturned in pursuit of victory. Just when it looked like Passage was cruising Vincents quickly scored 1-1 to narrow the Passage lead to four points. Passage replied with a point from Sean Coughlan and a goal from Cathal Lee after Zac Hanlon burst through Vincent’s defence and hit the post. The rebound was hit first time by Cathal and it was a crucial score just before the break. Vincents replied with a goal straight from the puck out to leave the halftime score Passage 3-8 to Vincents 3-3.

The large crowd of spectators present anticipated a fervent response from the home team, expecting St. Vincent’s to come out all guns blazing in an attempt to overturn the deficit. However, contrary to expectations, St. Vincent’s struggled to make an impact, taking a staggering 25 minutes to find the net and put points on the scoreboard. In the face of St. Vincent’s challenge, Passage remained composed and focused, capitalizing on their strategic advantage. With every passing minute, their lead continued to grow, as they consistently and expertly converted scoring opportunities. Sean Coughlan fried over three frees in the opening five minutes. Calum Griffin added another after great work from Orhan O’Donovan, Oisin O’Sullivan and Dermot Buckley set him up for the score. Passage brought on Daniel Garcia, Dean Connelly and Sean O’Regan and all immediately settled into the battle playing their part in this great victory.

Sean Coughlan added two more frees and a point from play to leave 12 points between the sides with ten minutes left on the clock. Vincents battled gamely and finally got a goal and a point in the closing minutes. Jack Barry made another great save to deny them another goal right at the end of the game. Calum Griffin scored a great goal to finish the game out. This Passage team’s triumph can be attributed to their unwavering team spirit and a collective desire to overcome adversity. Every player effortlessly demonstrated their ability to rise above the previous defeat against Vincents and seize their moment to win the final. There was immense pride and joy felt by the Passage supporters. Their unwavering support throughout the match undoubtedly played a role in bolstering the team’s morale and pushing them towards ultimate success.

The euphoria was palpable as captain fantastic Orhan O’Donovan proudly claimed the league final trophy, ensuring that another Cup heads to Passage in what is truly a remarkable year for the underage section of the club., Well done to all the players and to the management team who have played an integral role in nurturing the young talents and crafting an exceptional team spirit. Their dedication to building and fostering a competitive and spirited squad has now been rewarded with this remarkable victory. Special call out to the u-14 and U-13 players who didn’t get a chance to play on the night but who all played their part in the matches over the summer months.

Scorers for Passage: Sean Coughlan 1-12 (0-7 frees), Philip Heavey 1-2, Calum Griffin 1-1, Cathal Lee 1-0.

Team: Jack Barry, Dermot Buckley, Shane Whyte, Alex Maher, Oisin O’Sullivan, Carlos O’Callaghan, Josh Walton, Calum Griffin, Orhan O’Donovan capt, Josh Barry, Sean Coughlan, Cathal Lee, Philip Heavey, Zac Hanlon, Ben Walton.

Subs Used: Daniel Garcia, Sean O’Regan, Dean Connelly.a

Our U8 boys played a hurling blitz this morning hosted by Éire Óg in Ovens. A total of six games were played by our two teams we played against Ballincollig, Éire Óg and Cloughduv.

Six very competitive games in totally different weather conditions from our last blitz – cold and wet morning in Ovens. We showed great resilience in dealing with the conditions; few of our boys were in the wars but soldiered on. Some great defending was on show and a few of our boys demonstrated their air hurling skills to the amazement of the opposition. According to the boys we won every game.

A very enjoyable morning of hurling was had by the 15 boys who togged out. Football blitz on Saturday week is next for this group of players.

U-13 Football League Winners 21st Sept 2023

Passage 2-10 Crosshaven 2-7

In a thrilling League Final showdown that captivated the supporters watching, Passage the underdogs embraced the opportunity to cause a big upset against rivals Crosshaven in Camden last night. Earlier in the summer, Crosshaven had inflicted a heavy defeat, triumphing by 19 points and had also overcome Passage in last year’s U-12 final. To turn the tide this time, Passage knew they needed an extraordinary effort from all the players on their panel. With the weight of past defeats fuelling their determination, this team gave an exceptional performance with each individual, pushing themselves to the limits and leaving everything they had on the field. There would be no regrets this time.

From the opening whistle, Crosshaven went on the attack and quickly fired over two points. Passage was struggling to get the ball past the halfway line in this early period and they fell further behind in the third minute when Crosshaven fired home a penalty. Slowly but surely, Passage began to regain their footing and assert themselves in the game. However, despite creating scoring opportunities, their failure to convert two scorable chances was worrying. It wasn’t until the eighth minute that Passage finally managed to breach the opposition’s defence when lively forward Sam Flynn fired over a crucial point from a fast free from full forward David O’Connor. The eruption of cheers from the Passage supporters injected a renewed sense of hope and energy into the team. Empowered by this breakthrough, the Passage defence gradually started to assert its authority, refusing to yield to their relentless opponents.

The game swiftly evolved into an electrifying contest, with both teams engaged in end-to-end attacking plays. The level of intensity reached fever pitch as each side fought tooth and nail for supremacy on the field. Fortunately for Passage, some respite came in the form of missed opportunities from their rivals. Crosshaven, despite their early lead, thankfully squandered two close-range chances in the next few minutes. These missed opportunities served as a turning point for Passage, providing them with a lifeline and a renewed sense of determination. The midfield pairing of Fionn Flaherty and Matthew Sheehy started to win the battles out around the middle of the park. The half-forward line of Hugo Murray, Daniel Collier and Brian Griffin who covered every blade of grass all night was starting to cause the Crosshaven defence all kinds of trouble. As the match progressed, it became a thrilling display of skill, strategy, and nerve. Passage showcased their resilience, overcoming the initial setback to match Crosshaven blow for blow.

The players on both sides demonstrated exceptional skill, exemplifying the competitive spirit that defines these underage thrilling encounters. Just as Passage started to come to terms with their opponents, disaster struck when against the run of play Crosshaven scored another goal and point. Passage were now 8 points behind and it wasn’t looking good for the visitors. Passage’s defence especially the excellent full back line of Oisin Quigley, Michau Szaganski and Padraig O’Driscoll started to gain control and thwarted Crosshaven’s scoring attempts till the end of the half. Outside of them, the half-back line of Finn Brady, Finn O’Connor, and Noah Joyce was magnificent. Meanwhile, Passage’s attack pressed forward relentlessly, eager to level the playing field and shift the momentum in their favour.

In the next attack, a long ball from Finn Brady was won by David O’Connor. He broke the tackle and set up Austin Horgan for a gaol chance that somehow the Crosshaven keeper managed to save. Passage shrugged off the disappointment and young Fionn Flaherty fired over a point after Austin turned over the kickout. With each passing minute, tensions soared, and the spectators marvelled at the titanic battle unfolding before their eyes. Passage, rallying against the odds, refused to let their earlier deficit define them, rising to the occasion with every subsequent play. Two more points were added by the excellent Daniel Collier and a free from David O’Connor which left 5 points between the sides with 10 minutes left to the half-time whistle.

Crosshaven regrouped but could find no way past full-back Michau Szaganski and Passage-keeper Daniel Mooney. Mooney at one stage soloed up to the half-back line to clear his lines. Fionn Flaherty then scored a great goal after interchanging passes with several Passage players. This would have delighted the management team as the move was taken straight off the training pitch. It was now game on and Crosshaven had no answer to the Passage lads movement and speed. Daniel Collier scored another great point immediately afterwards to leave only a point between the sides. The next two minutes were the defining moments of the game. Crosshaven had a great goal chance saved by Daniel Mooney and from the resulting clearance Brian Griffin worked the ball up the field inter changing passes with Noah Joyce and Finn Brady. A high ball into the square was won by David O’Connor who passed to the incoming Daniel Collier. Daniel fired an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net to give Passage the lead for the first time in this pulsating game. Before Crosshaven could catch their breath, Sam Flynn and Hugo set up Fionn Flaherty (who was unmarkable in the first half) for another point just before the halftime whistle.

As both teams left the field Passage were the more content knowing they had weathered the early storm, before gradually gaining control of the match. The second half promised even more excitement, as both teams would undoubtedly go at it hammer and thongs. The half-time scoreline Passage 2-6 Crosshaven 2-3.

As the second half of the thrilling encounter commenced, Passage found themselves immediately under pressure from their opponents. The stakes were high, and both teams were determined to seize control of the game. Crosshaven wasted no time in launching relentless attacks, putting Passage’s defence on the back foot. The Passage players were subjected to wave after wave of pressure from their adversaries, who were intent on reducing the Passage lead. Passage, however, refused to capitulate under the mounting pressure. Drawing on their resilience and determination, they fought tooth and nail to repel Crosshaven’s advances. The defenders showcased their tenacity, leaving no stone unturned in their bid to stifle Crosshaven’s attacking prowess. Daniel Collier and David O’Connor kicked two wides which could have extended the lead Passage before Crosshaven hit another purple patch scoring three points to level the game 2-6 to 2-6 with 15 minutes gone on the clock.

Harry Coole was brought on and he quickly settled into the game winning some ball in the half-forward line. Over the next 5 minutes, Passage were pinned back but they displayed unwavering commitment to their cause. Every player relished the opportunity to demonstrate their worth, seizing the moment to make sure Crosshaven had no free shots or had to work hard to get into scoring range. The defence was heroic and Daniel Mooney pulled off a great save to keep the game level. Again the back line led by Oisin Quigley and Finn O’Connor was fantastic, blocking and fighting for every ball. Crosshaven kicked 3 wides in succession in this period and it was now all to play for with 10 minutes to go to the final whistle. Crosshaven won a free which they converted to give them the lead.

Passage refused to be overwhelmed and from the kick out, Brian Griffin and Finn Brady worked the ball into the forward line where Sam Flynn was fouled when winning the ball. Captain David O’Connor fired over the free to leave the team level again. Passage suffered a blow soon afterwards when star midfielder Matthew Sheehy had to be carried off the field. The tension was unbearable now and Passage won the ball when the game restarted. Again another great passing movement between Griffin, Horgan and Brady resulted in another free being awarded. This time further out David O’Connor under pressure fired the free over the bar to give Passage the lead again. But sides kicked wide before Passage was awarded another free. David O’Connor fired over to leave two points between the teams with only injury time to play.

Hugo Murray increased the lead to 3 points straight from the kick out but you knew there would be one more drama before the game finished. David O’Connor took a short 45 and Crosshaven turned over the ball and broke up the field. They worked the ball into a goal-scoring opportunity but could find no way past Daniel Mooney in the Passage goal. Passage cleared the ball and the final whistle blew.

Passage had played out of their skins against formidable opponents. They had demonstrated that determination, teamwork, and a refusal to be defined by previous defeats could lead to triumph against all the odds. The final outcome mattered, but the true victory lay in the spirit and effort displayed by each member of the team. Well done to all the players and management team you are a credit to the Passage West GAA Club. All that was left was for David O’Connor to lift the trophy and the celebrations to begin.

Team: Daniel Mooney, Oisin Quigley, Michau Szaganski, Padraig O’Driscoll, Finn Brady, Finn O’Connor, Noah Joyce, Matthew Sheehy, Fionn Flaherty (1-2), Austin Horgan, Brian Griffin, Hugo Murray (0-1), Daniel Collier (1-2), David O’Connor (Capt) (0-4 Frees), Sam O’Flynn (0-1).

Subs Harry Coole, Darragh Walton, Callum Carroll, Jake Ahern, Eoin O’Brien, Bobby Gosnell, Evan Clinton.