The U8 footballers headed to Sarsfields last Saturday, 3rd October to take part in the McAuley Metals’ annual tournament.
With teams from across Belfast and County Armagh taking part and with the sun shining, it promised to be a great GAA day.
We were in Group A along with St. Endas, Sarsfields (Dubh) and Wolf Tones (Co. Armagh).
In our first game against Sarsfields (Dubh), we hit the ground running and got off to the perfect start with a win; the skill and intensity of our play a joy to watch.
The match schedule saw us out quickly for our 2nd group game match against Wolfe Tones. Once again our young Gaels played football the way it should be played; quick passing, hard tackling and great support play resulted in our 2nd win of the morning.
Our third and final group match was against St Endas. This proved a bit harder than the previous two games but once again the youngsters ran out comfortable winners, topping the group with over 30 scores for and only conceding three; a very impressive statistic, rewarded with a place in cup semi final for the boys
The semi final saw us paired with the other Sarsfields team and what a match it turned out to be. Sarsfields (Glas) began the match stronger and opened the scoring with a well worked team goal. But not to be out done our lads responded with a score of equally high quality. The defences of both teams were excellent, with scoring opportunities hard to come by and as the end of the game fast approached, we found ourselves 3-2 down. The kids, with great encouragement from their families on the sidelines, rallied for one last push and were deservingly rewarded with an equaliser with seconds remaining.
The final whistle blew and a collective sigh of relief from both camps was audible. Tournament organisers then informed us that the match was to decided by the dreaded penalty shootout.
After 3 penalties each, the teams were still level and so we moved to sudden death. Three times Sarsfields (Glas) matched our scores but then the decisive moment came.
We scored our 4th penalty and then when our keeper got a hand to their next penalty to keep out the shot, the celebrations among the team, families and coaches began as a place in the final was secured.
Credit to both sides as some of the football played in such an intense match was of the highest quality. It’s a pity that the semi final had to be decided in such a manner but the Sarsfields lads gave their all and did their club proud.
And so on to the final where Cullaville (Co. Armagh) were our opponents. Unfortunately, this proved a step too far for our lads as the very impressive Cullaville team won the match playing some of the best football seen at this age group in all the tournaments we have been to over the years.
Congratulations to the players and coaches from Cullaville on their victory; worthy and deserved winners.
We have intentionality not mentioned any of the Davitts players individually so far because we train, play, win and lose as a team. But the panel for the tournament (in no particular order) were:
Ethan Mervyn
Matthew Toner
Conor Maguire
Ciaran Dempsey
Eamonn Toner
Gerard Francis Heaney
Sean Smith
AJ Mathers
Mick Jones
Johnny Cartmill
Odhran Hitchen
Thanks to Sarsfields, in particular Gazza and Deaglan, for organising such a well run event and for the hospitality.
You are a credit to the West Belfast GAA community and we look forward to seeing you at this tournament next year. Go raibh maith agaibh.
Thank you to all our parents, families and friends who came along to support the kids; your continued support is very much appreciated.
And finally, congratulations and well done to all the kids on their performances throughout the day, you were fantastic. To have numerous opposition coaches approach us and congratulate us on the high standard of your play was our particular highlight of the day.
You did yourselves, your parents and families, your coaches and of course your club proud.
Maith sibh.
Davitts Abú
Dee and Kieran
