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.