Over the summer O’Dwyers took on Lucan Sarfield B team and came away with a win, final score score 1-11 to 1-02. We then conceded 2 points to the league leader Good Council the only team we needed to beat home and away to be in with a chance of winning the league. O’Dwyers could not get the numbers to field a team for the rescheduled fixture. The following week, Na Fianna then conceded to us for the same reason.
Last Sunday was beginning to look the same; we were down 9 players from the squad. Team depleted it was time to call on the ever supportive u13/14 team to help make up the numbers. Na Fianna too struggled with numbers but fortunately they were able to field the minimum requirement of 11 players to fulfil the fixture. It was no surprise that O’Dwyer needed to make changes and those asked to play out of their normal comfort zone certainly impressed and delivered an outstanding display. Rory Devlin slotted into the backline alongside Paul McNally. Davy Creamer and Sam McCruddy covered the half back line. Darragh Mathews and Matthew Leonard led from mid-field. Matthew Leonard won the throw and found Darragh Matthews running into space on the left. An early quick pass to Eoin Morrissey on the half forward line led to the first score over the bar. Darragh and Eoin (Richie) scored early goals; several goal attempts led to bodies being thrown on the line by Na Fianna. Eoin (Mossy) Morrissey took 3 lovely points from play. Peter Lawless added to the goal Tally and delivered a good point off a rebound from the upright. Na Fianna never looked like threatening and when they did, they delivered the wrong side of the target due to the intense pressure from the backline. They struggled to gain possession and suffered an onslaught of shots from O’Dwyers. Matthew Leonard and David Creamer both added a point apiece taking the score tally to 3-07 to 1point at half time.
Half time changes saw an injured Michael Corcoran being replaced with Paul McNally. Eoin (Richie) Richardson dropped back to half back to allow David Creamer an opportunity to display has shooting ability. With second half underway Matthew Leonard once again won procession finding the inform Eoin Morrissey on the left side who delivered a lovely hand-pass to the oncoming Darragh Mathews. Darragh dropped the ball in towards the forwards but instead, found the top right corner of the net. Eoin (Richie) Richardson who had slotted back into half back didn’t delay on making his presence felt turning inside his marker, soloing up field to deliver a beautiful ball to Davy Creamer who in turn took a well taken point directly between the posts.
It wasn’t all one way traffic for O’Dwyers. Some positional changes from Na Fianna saw them responding well, albeit late into the game. They quickly found themselves splitting our defence, one on one with our goalkeeper and scoring well. The kick out led to another attack almost scoring a second but for the superb save by Paul McNally to deny Na Fianna a goal and a possible comeback scenario. It didn’t stop there; the third phase of attack was only inches wide of the left side of the upright. Darragh was asked to dropped back, Eoin (Mossy) Morrissey took up the mantle in midfield with Eoin Richie moving into the half forward to support the forwards.
A short kick out to Ruarai Devlin saw him take off up the field delivering to Peter lawless who found Davy Creamer eager to score a goal low to the left hand side of the goalkeeper. Cian Nulty was next to put his name on the score-sheet scoring two very well taken points, unfortunately his name found more than the score sheet as he was booked for what was perceived as a cynical foul, tripping an opposing player. He was also unfortunate not to have found the back of the net. Michael Corcoran found some deep inner strength to come back on from the bench which resulted in scoring a goal for his effort. Matthew Leonard had a solid game in midfield and added a goal and point in the second half to bring his tally to 2-02. While all the lads put in great effort and work rate the day belonged to Eoin Morrissey who had a solid first half and an outstanding second adding a further 3 points bringing his tally to 6 points. Once again the players were asked to decide who was ‘Man of the Match’ and all agreed including the mentors that Eoin Morrissey earned the tiltle having given 100% commitment. Matthew Leonard captained the side and did a terrific job securing a win. Well done guys….
Final Score: Na Fianna 2-03 O’Dwyers 9-16
Micky Corcoran(1-00), Ruarai Devlin, Paul McNally, David Creamer (1-02), Sam McCruddy, Matthew Leonard (2-02), Darragh Mathews (2-00), Eoghan Richardson (1-0), Eoin Morrisey (0-06), Peter Lawless (2-02), Oisin McDonald, Eoin Richardson, Cian Nulty (0-2)
