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Sports and Games

The Donahies Community School offers a wide variety of sports. The following reviews are based on the last year

THE GAELIC YEAR IN REVIEW 2008/2009

Under 14 Gaelic 2008/2009

 

The Donahies Vs De la Salle

It was derby day, it was the lads first match and they were rearing to go.  The team was full of first years but don’t under estimate them, they can sure play football.  The De La Salle had a lot of big lads but that didn’t matter because our lads had big hearts. Ryan Bergin opened the scoring with a goal from the 45, following up was Craig Burke and Stephen Robinson with some fantastic scores. The De La Salle got a few scores back.  At half time the Donahies were up by a point.  Second half started very slow but it got exciting, the Donahies got a goal and then the De La Salle were right back in with another.  In the last minute the De La Salle got a point.  The match ended a draw 3-7 to 4-1.

 

  The Donahies Vs Chanel College

The weather was terrible on one of the biggest games we had so far. The rain was bucketing down. We got off to a great start with scores from Ryan Bergin, Craig Burke, Alan Kelly and Stephen Robinson. Chanel were a very good side and they got scores back, we knew that we wouldn’t have this easy. Mr. Keohane moved Craig Burke from full forward to mid-field because the defence was too big for Craig. Ryan Bergin was the biggest under 14 player in the league, when he got moved up Craig Burke and Stephen Robinson teamed up and got the ball up to Big-Man. He got a goal and another one and another one, he was unstoppable. At the break the score was 3-6 to 1-4. In the second half Chanel got a goal back but the lads didn't give up and they kept going strong and in the end they won. They are now in the Quarter final.

 

Under 14s Quarter Final:  The Donahies Vs Portmarnock Community School

We went out confident of a win after beating some tough sides.  We got off to a good start thanks to a goal from Craig Burke and a goal and a point from Ryan Bergin. Portmarnock weren't going out without a fight.  The Donahies battled and fought to win the ball but Portmarnock were just too strong.  Portmarnock got a few scores back.  The game was tight at half time, the score was 3-2 to 1-5 to the Donahies.  After the break the lads were getting tired but still going strong.  The pride they showed was unbelievable, but they couldn’t quite overcome that strong Portmarnock side. The lads gave it all they had, but in the end Portmarnock had won.  The final score was 3-8 to 4-10 to Portmarnock.  All in all it was an excellent season for the U14s.


THE GAELIC YEAR IN REVIEW 2008/2009

Under 18 Hurling 2008/2009

 

It is always great to get involved with an enthusiastic young bunch of Gaels. Our first years arrived and when we realised that players of the calibre of Stephen Robinson, Tommy Jinad, David Comerford, Kelvin Hyland,, Aaron Farrell, Ciaran Moylan,Ryan Murray, Evan Whelan, Aaron Hannigan, Joseph Komolafe, Jack O Moore, Dean Henry, Malcolm McDonald, Peter McDonald, Royston Fitzgerald, Sean Whelan to name some were among this new group we knew that competing would not be a problem. With our existing second years and the enigma that is big man Ryan Bergin of 3rd year anything was possible.

However not everything went according to plan. In football a couple of victories had us nicely placed for a tilt at Portmarnock Community School for a place in the semi finals. Alas in a poor performance where all the great work of previous games just didn’t surface we were defeated. This was very disappointing as there is no doubt if our lads maintained their focus at a critical juncture of the game victory could have been achieved.

 

In hurling we trained hard and showed great enthusiasm. A commendable draw with Malahide CS was followed with a win and two losses. In the quarter final v St. Pauls Raheny  which in truth turned out to be a local derby as many of the opposition hail from the local clubs we were simply not good enough. A word of advice to these promising young lads is that hurling really is a game that must always be practised. A ball, a wall and a hurley is all that’s needed. If a partner to strike it to can be found that’s 95% of the training.

The local clubs are crying out for lads to play the great game so parents please encourage your children to join up. There is surely no better or healthier way to spend free time. Peter Keohane     


THE GAELIC YEAR IN REVIEW 2008/2009

Under 14 Hurling 2008/2009

 

The Donahies  vs.  Malahide Community School

We went out against Malahide in a confident mood that we could get a result, but Malahide got a couple of easy scores at the start of the game. The team new they had to up there game so they did and Ryan Bergin  got us 1 goal and 3 points in  quick succession to put us ahead by a whisker. With more scores from Craig Burke, Stephen Robinson and David Comerford the score was 3-6 to 0.4 to the Donahies at half time. It was a tighter game in the second half than the first as we were shooting into a slight breeze and the sun. After being played of the pitch Malahide came back very strongly with 2 goals and 3 points. The defence was doing very good keeping Malahide out. We got a couple of scores from frees from Graham Dinh and Ryan Bergin. With some brilliant hurling from the whole team, the ball eventually got up the field to Ryan Bergin and he scored 1-6 rapidly. With brilliant hurling for both teams neither could take the lead so the game finished as a draw and both teams would have to settle for a point. The game ended  4-13 to 4-13

 

The Donahies V Colaiste Colum (Swords)

With a small Donahies team going out against a strong Swords team on a beautiful day in O’tooles Swords started off the better team, scoring a couple of points from frees they looked the better team. But with some inspiration from Mr Keohane and Mr Dalton we upped our game and played to our full potential, but they were just to strong. We got a couple of scores from our forward line.  At half time the score was 1-6 to 0-4 to Swords. Mr Keohane and Mr Dalton told us we had to up our game but we couldn’t get through their defence. In the end Swords were the better and stronger team. The final score was 2-10 to 0-7

The Donahies V St. Paul’s Raheny

We went up to Raheny knowing we had to win to progress to the quarter finals. This being most of the 1st years first derby match it started off a great game, with both teams scoring a couple of points. The passion from  the lads was great. After an exhibition of hurlin the score at half time was 0-6 to 0-4 to St Paul’s. As Paul’s came out strong in the second half the lads were dazed. St Paul’s were just too  strong for a small Donahies side but only narrowly missing out on a quarter  final place as we lost. The final score was 2-10 to 1-9.


THE GAELIC YEAR IN REVIEW 2008/2009

Under 16 Gaelic 2008/2009

Donahies CS Vs St. Pauls.

The Donahies went in to the match with a good attitude and plenty of optimism. They had a couple of greatly experienced players on the team. The first half of the match was very evenly matched with the score 6 points each team. The second half started and the Donahies could not keep with the players on the St. Pauls team. With this St. Pauls scored a goal and took control of the game with the match ending the Donahies 0-8 and St. Pauls 1-11.

Donahies V Chanel College.

The Donahies set out against Chanel in their second game of the year after a loss to St. Pauls. We knew we had to give a good game. In the first half we were doing great, scoring goals and points almost at will. Goals were scored by experienced players like Ryan Bergin and Alex Corbally. We went on to win the match. The final score was Donahies 6-12 and Chanel College 2-4.

The Donahies V St. Josephs

After our great win against Chanel College the team had confidence going into the match, The Donahies were slow to start with St. Josephs grabbing an early goal and two points. The Donahies now knew it was going to be a tough game. We got a goal just before half time from Karl Clinch. So we went into the second half on a high scoring from an early free kick from Zack McDermott, after that The Donahies started scoring comfortably with goals from Ryan Bergin, Karl Clinch and Alex Corbally. Final Score The Donahies 4-7 to 1-3 St. Josephs

Under 16s Quarter Final. The Donahies V Blackrock College

After our last two wins we went out to this quarter final on a high, the squad finally balanced, we started the game well with an early point from Ryan Bergin after some nice play between Alex Corbally and Luke Byrne. Blackrock responded with a goal and that set us back a bit. We couldn’t get hold of the game. We started the second half down by 5 points, but we didn’t give up, we fought until the end with Dean Maher cracking the crossbar. Unfortunatly we couldn’t keep it up, with the Donahies ending 1-6 to Blackrock 2-9, they ended the Donahies run in the cup. This season the U16 G.A.A team had an extraordinary season. They made it to the quarter finals, but narrowly lost to a strong Blackrock team. With some exceptional inspiration from Captain Zack McDermott who pushed them to the limit. The first match of the season was an intense Derby match against the very good Chanel College. From good inspiration from Mr. Tuite and Mr. O’Flaherty, the lads gave it a good shot and made up for it in the next several games. The heart of the team was in the defence with Captain Zack McDermott, Luke Byrne, Jay Kenny etc. With brilliant performances against St. Pauls, Raheny Scoil Chitriana, and Blackrock. With good scoring from Ryan Bergin, Alex Corbally, Karl Clinch, Craig Burke, Darren Dunne, Dean Maher and Ryan Deegan. All in all it was an excellent season for the U16s. 

THE GAELIC YEAR IN REVIEW 2008/2009

 

 

Mr Kennedy

            The School year 2008/2009 was another very busy one on the GAA field for the Donahies Community School.

As has been the way now for nearly thirty years the schools Gaelic footballers and hurlers played in every age graph from 1st year to under 18’s

All of this is due of course to those teachers who give their time to promote Gaelic football and hurling. The school is really very fortunate to have so many who are prepared to this. I must mention the contribution made by Mr. O’Leary over the years. Over the years to come the GAA team will have their fair share of victories and also  heart breaking games. But what is really important is the relationships, memories and laughs that will remain in our memories long after all thought of cups and medals are long forgotten.

Pat on the back for Mr. O’Leary

 

It was with a mixture of great pride and regret that the GAA community in the school saw Mr. O’Leary leave us this year, to move on to greater things, as the principal of a new school in Balbriggan. Anyone who knew Mr O’Leary knew of his love and work for GAA in this school. He did tremendous work to promote and foster GAA during his time here.

            His ability and hard work will be remembered for as long as there are GAA teams and GAA people in this school. The best tribute we can pay him is to strive in the future to meet the high standards he set.

            As he sits behind his new desk next September I know his heart will be with us, as once more, we set off to try and win honours for The Donahies in football and hurling. We look forward to meeting his Gaelic and hurling teams in the future. Mr. Kennedy.

Alan Kelly selected to represent Dublin Under 15’s 2008/2009

 


THE GAELIC YEAR IN REVIEW 2008/2009

Under 18 Gaelic 2008/2009

Skerries Vs Donahies

The Donahies started their campaign away to Skerries. It was all laughs and jokes on the bus until we got there. The lads were shocked at how Skerries started the game. They were blown away with Skerries’ early goal and two points. The Donahies responded with a goal before half time which lifted their spirits going into the second half.

Skerries proved to be too much for the Donahies and their quick pace ensured an early win for the Skerries team. The Donahies dropped their heads and didn’t reply. The game ended Donahies 1-1 and Skerries 2-2.

The Donahies V St. Josephs

After our first loss to Skerries we needed a win to keep our cup hopes alive. We were all up for it. We played home and dominated from the start. We played St. Joseph’s off the park with goals from Karl McCluskey, Eric Norris and Alex Corbally. We sailed through the match dominating the pitch, our defence refused to let anything past while the forwards made them pay in wave after wave. Joeys didn’t know what hit them. The match ended 5-10 to 0-3 to the Donahies. It was a great victory.  

The Donahies V Lucan

The Donahies were up for this game after a team performance against St. Joseph’s. They shocked Joseph’s with two early goals and kept the pressure on for the first half and only conceding two points. The second half was man for man with Lucan giving the Donahies a game by putting a goal in on the last ten minutes. The Donahies felt sick with them still leading by a point, but afraid of Lucan’s attacking display and then the Donahies collapsed conceding two goals and put them out and Lucan moved on to the quarter final. With the Donahies cup hopes gone. The score finished The Donahies 1-4 and Lucan 2-5. We would like to thank our coaches for giving up their time to look after us this season.

 


THE SOCCER YEAR IN REVIEW 2008/2009

The Government cutbacks in education and the on going S&S reduction resulted in some matches not taking place. As a result our soccer season was cut short and matches remained unplayed. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that schools may not be able to participate as fully as previous seasons in Leinster Soccer Competitions.

The committee have decided to canvass the opinion of the affiliated schools as to their preference for the next season. This is not an attempt to rationalise the number of competition on offer, but a response to the demands of the current circumstances. The primary goal is to develop the game of soccer in schools. We wish them well. Mr. Patton

UNDER 14 SOCCER

 

Donahies Vs Swords

After  losing the opening match 2-0 the lads had to perform today. With their captain Craig Burke playing today after missing the first match, he has to guide to his team mates to a win. In the first half the lads were playing excellent, we were playing with the wind so we had plenty of shots. The donahies got a corner Craig whipped the ball into the mixer and Dean Kenny Got his foot onto it and scored a brilliant goal. Then  Craig Burke got the ball in the middle of the park and seen the keeper off of his line he shot and scored the donahies were 2 nil up at half time. Swords scored 3 goals in the first few minutes of the second half. They were winning, they got another 2 before the donahies scored again. It was 5-3. There was 12 minutes left and Craig Burke scored again. Swords got another 2 goals its 7-4, in the last minute Carl Mc cann  scored. The match ended 7-5.

The Donahies  Vs. Ashbourne

 With the lads losing their first 2 matches they new they had to win the match to have any chance of progressing into the next stage of the tournament and just hoping the other results go their way. On a lovely day to play a game of football the Donahies started off the better side. With great shots from Craig Burke, Luke Stanley, Dean Kenny and Sean Whelan the team was playing brilliantly . The defence was doing brilliantly and so was goalkeeper Glen Maher, but when Ashbourne scored and again in quick succession the whole team dropped their heads. At half time Mr Comiskey gave an inspirational speech and the lads went out with there heads up high. With a great run up the pitch Ashbourne had no choice but to bring down Dean Kenny. Captain Craig Burke took the free kick and floated it in top corner, but Ashbourne soon replied and they went on to win the match.

Alan Kelly and Mr. Kennedy

 

Alan was awarded junior club man of the year 2008 in St Laurence O’Toole’s GAA club. He was also chosen as Hurler of the year. It is an honour to be chosen for this award. Alan follows in a proud tradition of Donahies hurlers whom  have played for O’Toole’s. He is also on the Dublin Under  15 squad. He is on the road of being an all star, we wish him well.


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