Under 10 Development Squad. Coaches; Paul Poole & Paul Barry

The under 10 Squad

The Under 10 development Squad finished off their Programme, with a double header of games against their counterparts from the North Dublin Schoolboy League, in Ballyowen Park. Coach Paul Poole has been working with this Squad all season, and has recently been joined by Paul Barry. The two Paul’s must now begin the difficult task of trimming this group of players, as they will be preparing them for more serious action next season.

On the night the players were divided into two teams, one wearing Blue kit & the other wearing White. Both Matches were played simultaneously on adjoining pitches, and the sun shone fitting for these dedicated lads of the South Dublin Football League. Unfortunately, results did not go their way, both teams being beaten narrowly by the “Brenfers”. However, the occasion was enjoyed by all, and the kids received some drinks and sweets, which sent them home in good form.

SDFL (White) 4-5 NDSL

The phase “A game of 2 half’s” was coined with matches like this in mind. In the first half it was all one way traffic, as the home team threatened to run away with things early on. Goals from Mark Gordon, Adam Sharpe & Byron Cunningham, gave them a 3-0 lead, before the North Dublin side pulled one back from the penalty spot. The lads in white were still well in control, untill a second goal was pulled back, after a rising shot into the top of the net. The goal lifted the away team, and with renewed energy they competed more strongly, breaking away again to level matters at 3-3. When the NDSL took the lead, the home team was shocked, and when the score went to 5-3 they were in serious trouble. They did manage to pull another one back through Eric Keogh, but did not have enough time to find an equalizer.

SDFL (Blue) 0-2 NDSL

There was not nearly as much drama in this match, and a goal in each half gave the visitors a comfortable victory.

The SDFL would like to thank the NDSL for coming south of the Liffey for these games, and indeed for all of the challenge matches played between the Leagues' this season. We have firmly established friendly links with our footballing brothers from the North side, and we look forward to seeing them again next season.

Previous Matches :Mt Merrion 1-1 SDFL, SDFL 0-1 Naas, SDFL 11-0 NEC     SDFL 7-2 NEC                NDSL 0-2 SDFL     SDFL 7-2 DRFC

Under 11 Squad. Coaches; Shay Cunningham, Syl Banim

Leinster Cup; Wicklow 3-2 SDFL (5/508)

Suspension and the Danone Cup deprived the under 11 squad of some key personnel going into this tournament, which was held in Navan. This semi final match was played in a small stadium just outside the town, and a couple of miles away from the main venue. There was grumbling when the players had to get back on the bus, but their eyes lit up when they saw the new pitch. Surrounded by a running track and with dug outs and a perfect playing surface, the kids from South Dublin said that they could get used to this!

Both teams looked very nervous to begin with, but the best openings actually fell to South Dublin. Two good scoring opportunities were spurned, and then Terry Kennedy shot straight at the keeper when put through. Just as the Coaches were saying “We have to start taking our chances”, Wicklow scored after a lapse of concentration by Ben Farrell. Wicklow grew in confidence after their goal, & the SDFL found it hard to find a way to goal, until Alex Lynch produced a piece of magic. Turning on the edge of the box, he spun and shot into the top corner. The tie was heading towards a penalty shoot out until Wicklow scored a hotly disputed goal in the first min of injury time. But 2 mins later the tie was level again when Chris Gaynor scored from close range. Expecting the whistle from the kick off, there was still time for more play. A free kick was awarded to Wicklow just outside the box, and an unstoppable shot was sent into the net off the post, and was immediately followed by the final whistle.

Leinster Cup; Dundalk 3-5 SDFL (5/508)

The lads from South Dublin needed to pick themselves up pretty quickly from their disappointment, as the next match followed half an hour later. They did this in style, racing into a 3 goal lead inside 7 Mins, with Fiach O Byrne scoring 2 & Chris Gaynor the other. They then took their foot off the gas a little, and Dundalk pulled one back just after the restart. The SDFL lads sprung back into life again and O Byrne completed his hat trick with a superb lob over the keeper. Dundalk grabbed another, before Kieran Mc Namara sent his own unstoppable free kick into the net, and in the final minute Dundalk grabbed another, but South Dublin ran out worthy winners.

Previous Matches; Mt Merrion 12A 1-3 SDFL,               SDFL 5-1 Longford,  North Tipp 0-5 SDFL,   SDFL 4-1 Naas,   SDFL 0-0 Wicklow Rov, Rathcoole (ddsl 12B) 2-5 SDFL,     NDSL 2-4 SDFL,       SDFL 2-2 St Kevins Boys,    SDFL 3-2 NDSL,        Liffey Valley 0-6 SDFL

The under 11 Squad in the Leinster Cup

Under 12 Squad. Coaches Ken Keoghan, Martin Kavanagh

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TAB CUP

5th May 2008

Semi Final - South Dublin 4 V Wicklow 2

Final - South Dublin 1 V Dundalk 3

On a sweltering hot day in beautiful Kilcoole, County Wicklow, the South Dublin U12’s did the league proud when finishing runners – up to a fantastic Dundalk side in the Tab Cup.

Our day began bright and early in Cabinteely when the generous host club put on a fine spread of food which was greatly appreciated by the players, parents and coaches.  Our sincere thanks to Pierce Toale - Chairman, his wife, and all who helped out.

On to Kilcoole and the semi-final draw which saw us pitted against the home team.  The first 25 minutes were tight and very tense but the game exploded to life when Conor Gallagher crashed a magnificent free kick to the top corner to open the scoring.  This brought South Dublin to life.  Conor Gallagher was again to the fore as his mazy run was brought to an abrupt end.  Lawrence Malone calmly slotted the resulting penalty home.

Wicklow responded with a goal early in the 2nd half but South Dublin soon widened the gap when a great counter-attack saw Matthew Sheehan score decisively.  In a cracking match Wicklow again reduced the gap.  However, right on the final whistle, Anthony O’Hanlon sealed a final spot with a cool finish.

In the final South Dublin faced a very good Dundalk side who had disposed of Kildare 4 – 0 in their semi-final.  South Dublin made a great start when Conor Gallagher bundled home from close range after only 3 minutes.  However Dundalk showed their quality to equalise and take the lead by the 40th minute.  The South Dublin lads refused to lie down and late pressure almost forced a penalty shoot-out but Dundalk broke away to claim a 3rd and the Tab Cup. 

Despite the disappointment all of South Dublin can be proud of their efforts and the future looks extremely bright for this squad.  Their attitude, behaviour and style of football was a joy to behold and made everyone proud to be associated with them.  Every player made a significant contribution from keepers Gavin Hughes and Mark O’Mahony, top class defenders Daniel Green, Lawrence Malone, Conor Spillane, Nicholas Timoney, Niall O’Grady, Luke Naughton and Aaron Pisarnick. Our hardworking and tireless mid-fielders James Toale, Mitchell Moody, Mathew Sheehan, Conor Gallagher, Eoin Cotler, Cormac Cullinane and Tim Hawe. Finally, credit to our strikers Bonnie Odoneme, Andrei Martynyuk and Anthony O’Hanlon.  Commiserations to Dylan O’Reilly , Dylan Hanney and Aaron Griffith who missed out through injury. We wish them a speedy recovery.

 Many thanks to the Wicklow SL for their wonderful organisation and fine dinner afterwards.  Special mention to the very fair minded officials.  Lastly a big Thank you to all the parents who gave great support to the South Dublin team.

Previous games ; SDFL 2-2 Firhouse (13P),   Ballyouster 1-4 SDFL,  SDFL 2-0 Cabinteely (13s),                              North Tipp 3-2 SDFL,        Palmerstown Ran 0-9 SDFL,     SDFL 2-0 Lourdes Celtic,   Naas (ddsl) 2-5 SDFL,      NDSL 1-3 SDFL,     SDFL 4-0 Drogheda,   Firhouse 13s 2-1 SDFL      Drogheda 0-7 SDFL

Under 12 Squad v North Tipperary

Under 13 Squad. Coaches Tommy Carberry, Robbie Carroll

SDFL 2-2 Longford (19/4/08)

A report on this game will appear here shortly

Liffey Valley (under 14)1-4 SDFL (16/4/08)

With less than 2 weeks to name final 20 players for u13 Kennedy Cup, A brilliant all round team performance saw a comfortable 4-1 win over Liffey Valley u14s, Liffey Valley started the stronger and had good possession in the 1st 10 mins ,but gradually the SDFL lads broke them down with some , Excellent passing and movement, 1st goal came from some clever play starting with a move from the back involving Robert Gaughan,Carl Gibney, Killian O Gara, David Curley and a clever finish from Brendan Bentley, some fine dribbling skills from Killian O Gara getting to end line and picking out David Curley who picked his spot to make it 2nil at half time,making a couple of changes at half time saw Shane Cunningham cause Liffey Valleys defence a lot of problems with some clever runs, 3rd goal came from a strike from David Curley which beat the keeper and came back of cross bar, Brendan Bentley 1st to react slipped ball into far corner for his 2nd on the night.Conor Spillane and James Toale both from our u/12s came on for last 20mins, Conor doing well at the back and James setting up some excellent moves from midfield,4th goal was the goal of the night with a 25yd strike from David Curley,Liffey Valley never gave up and full credit to them for keeping us on our toes ,right thought out the game, they a consolation goal 5 mins from time,we finished the game with a completely different 11 than we started with, with everyone giving a fine performance, Robert Gaughan and Sam Reilly were solid at the back, Many thanks to Mark Costigan of Liffey Valley for the game.

Previous Matches; Firhouse 0-3 SDFL, Drogheda 0-2 SDFL    SDFL 0-1 Naas (ddsl),     SDFL 1-1 Drogheda,                                                 Mt Merrion (14ddsl) 1-0 SDFL.

Mark Hanratty 5, and Eoin Reddy 15

Goal Keeping Coaches; Joe Donohoe and Mark Connors

Under 14 Squad. Coaches; David Heard & Alban Hysu

Leinster Cup; N.E.C. 4-0 SDFL (5/508)

The sun was shining brightly at this superb footballing venue just outside Navan. After all of the squads were assembled the draw was made for opponents and pitches, and a short while later the action got under way.

This game was over as a contest after only 5 Mins, when the home team were awarded a penalty after the ball appeared to strike Jamie Costello on the shoulder. But the problems were only compounded for the visitors when the red card was produced, and South Dublin were down to 10 men. And they certainly battled like men, and had a great chance to equalise just before half time. Indeed it was only in the latter part of this match that the N.E.C. found the space to increase their lead, and 3 second half goals gave the score line a rather flattering look for the N.E.C.

Leinster Cup; Dundalk 0-2 SDFL (5/508)

The under 14s were determined to make up for their disappointment against Dundalk, and they put in a fine performance to clinch 3rd spot. Dean Heard showed that he was not afraid to use his weaker foot, when he curled the ball with his left boot, into the top corner of the net. Lorcan Paten was then sent through after a defence splitting pass, and he finished neatly. The SDFL lads then kept possession well to kill off the game and ensure that they did not have to work too hard in the heat.

With hindsight, both squads in this Tournament up in Navan did not have the luck of the draws. They both lost to the eventual winners, and gave them a much harder game than the other finalists managed to. For the record, Wicklow beat N.E.C 4-1 in the under 11 section, while N.E.C. ran out 4-0 winners against the 11 players of Wicklow under 14s.

All in all valuable lessons were learned from both sides, and they realise some changes to personnel will have to be made for next season.

 The tournament was very well organised, there was refreshments for all, and the presentation was much appreciated by players, Coaches, and Officials of the SDFL. A big thank you must go to our hosts from Navan, who showed great hospitality throughout the day.

Previous Matches;                    SDFL 4-1 Esker (ddsl 14P). Firhouse (15P) 0-2 SDFL,                 SDFL 0-2 NDSL,    NDSL 1-1 SDFL,      Drogheda 1-0 SDFL,    St Francis (14P) 1-3 SDFL.

Under 14 Squad in the Leinster Cup

Under 15 Squad. Coaches: Dave Mc Gilavary, Kenny O Toole.

SDFL 3-1 Ashwood 16P(26/3/08)

Derek Gaffney scored 2, and Usman Akintola scored the other, in a very impressive win for the under 15 squad.The SDFL defense was excellent throughout, and the two centre halfs  are forming an excellent  partnership.Overall the play was very good, and the team is taking shape with just a few additions to be made, and should be all set for the May bank holiday tournament.

Previous games; SDFL 1-1 NDSL,   NDSL 0-1 SDFL,     Firhouse (16s) 2-6 SDFL

                                                    Kenny gives his half time team talk

Under 16 Squad. Coaches; Gareth Granger, & Mark Connors

Mount Merrion (ddsl 16P) 2-2 SDFL

After falling behind to 2 goals from the home team, the lads from South Dublin finally got to grips with this game and battled back to snatch a well deserved draw. A Gary Cleary effort and an exquisite finish from Gary Carmody, was enough to grab a share of the spoils. However the efforts from Ross Doyle on the right, and Gary Bolger & Craig Keegan too, did not go unnoticed.

Previous Matches; SDFL 1-0 Leixlip Utd,    SDFL 1-1 Oatfield 17P

Coaches and players of the under 16 squad

Coaches at the SDFL