Young Ireland 0-06 McAnallens 0-04

Young Ireland managed to get their most important win of the season so far against McAnallens with the Championship play-offs only one week away. In a low scoring game a superb defensive effort by the Young Irelands backs and hard work all over the field was just enough to defeat a very strong McAnallens side who had many of their best players back from travelling around Australia. This leaves YI with a tough task in a Grand Final play-off against league Champions Clan Na Gael with the winner going directly to the Final and the loser facing the winner of the Penrith Gaels v McAnallens play-off.

Debutant goalkeeper Gareth Walsh from Galway had an impressive debut and made an important first half save at a time when McAnallens were on top and with the half time score having Young Irelands 0-03 to 0-02 behind there was much to play for in the second half. Points from Declan Rooney, Alex Whooley, Pierre O Sullivan and Kieran Hogan took Young Ireland home but their scores came from the platform of a stingy defence.



Team: Gareth Walsh, Arran Moore, Jonathan Ormond, Tommy Moran, Brian Conlon, Niall Wheeler, Micheal O Laocadh, Alex Whooley, Kieran Hogan, Sean Kinsella, Brian Fitzpatrick, Seamus Collins, Pierre O Sullivan, Declan Rooney, PJ (Junior) Harding. Subs: Shane McElvanna, Kieran Conroy, Mick Fitzgerald, Anthony Collins, Willie Coleman, Stephen Kenneally, Martin Mc Kernan, Chris McGuigan

Young Irelands 2-08 Michael Cusacks 1-02

For the first time in four years the green and gold have taken home the silverware from the annual Central Coast-Gosford one day blitz.
It was the 26th year that the competition had been held in its San Remo location along the estuary just outside of Gosford on the New South Wales Central Coast.

In conditions which can only be described as baltic the club showed its famous steel by fighting its way to the final in driving winds and rains.
Despite the less than ideal weather conditions the boys played some outstanding football in all their matches with some great individual performances culminating in a resounding victory against Cusacks in the final with a scoreline of 2-8 to 1-2.

Congratulations to Fergal Mcguigan who took the honour of the finals best and fairest as awarded by the matches referee.The Dungiven native was worthy winner of the prize showing some great skills and strength in the poor weather conditions.

Young Irelands 2-12 Michael Cusacks 1-4

Young Irelands have this year (2007) won the annual 10 a side summer competition.
It is the third year in a row the club have taken the top honors in the tournament which runs in the month of February.
Unlike most other years when the competition was run over a number of weeks the N.S.W. G.A.A. decided it was a good idea to run the comp as a blitz over one day.
It turned out to be a very good idea with such a large turnout in numbers with Clan na Gael even fielding an A and B team.

The club were unbeaten all the way to the final winning most games comfortably before beating old rivals Michael Cusacks in the final 1-4 to 2-12.
It was a tournament played in great spirits by each and everyone of the lads that pulled on the green and gold with player of the competition going to Portlaoise native Tommy Mulligan who put in some great displays at centre forward.

Hopefully this will set the club up for another good year with plenty more silverware.

Young Irelands 2-08 Clan Na Gael 1-07

2005 NSW senior football champions Young Irelands (YI) successfully defended their title against a determined Clan na Gael side last Sunday at Princes Park. YI led from the beginning and were always likely to take the honours until CnG drew level from the penalty spot with 10 mins remaining.

YI started brightly playing in to a stiff breeze in a well presented Princes Park. Their early dominance paid off with an early pointed free from N Cunningham. This was followed up by a point from C Daly after good build up play by the champions.
YIs use of possession football created problems for CnG who struggled in the early stages. Indeed YIs should have made that dominance pay off only for a fine save by the CnG keeper, who denied P Dunlea after a super through ball from J McGuckian. The resultant 45 went narrowly wide from the boot of YI stalwart D Rooney.
CnG registered their first score shortly after from a pointed free and drew level soon after with a point from play. They may have taken the lead except for some fine defensive work by Eamon Breen and J Flavin. YIs finished the half stronger however. Their superiority at midfield was a significant factor and strong runs out of defence from the half backs (all Antrim men!) stemmed the CnG tide. 2 points from play from P Dunlea were pulled back by CnG before the break but the halfs significant score came from the boot of N Cunningham.
More patient build up play from YIs found R Coss in space who fisted the ball to N Cunningham who layed the ball off to C Daly. Dalys fisted effort came back off the crossbar to N Cunningham who coolly slotted the ball into an empty net.

YI lad at half time 1-4 to 4 pts.

The second half was a close tense affair with end to end action. CnG started brighter facing into the breeze and had a early score on the board to reduce the arrears to 2pts. YI rallied almost immediately after P Dunlea was fouled and N Cunningham pointed the resultant free. The ability of the YIs team to respond in this fashion was a telling factor. Each time CnG threatened YIs responded with a score of their own. Both sides traded scores from frees to leave the score at 1-6 to 6pts.
YIs were then guilty of over elaboration and some poor shooting. This seemed to give CnG a vital lift and their efforts paid off when they won a penalty 10 minutes from time. CnG corner forward Kevin Lynch , who to this point had been subdued by the attentions of F Eivers, converted the penalty despite the best efforts of YI custodian Chubby. With the sides tied entering the final minutes extra time was looking a distinct possibility, however this was quickly ruled out thanks to a lightening strike by YI.
N Cunningham now operating at centre forward fielded the kick out and delivered to the tireless C Daly. He found P Dunlea in space who drew the full back and put J Lalor through on goal. Lolly kept his cool and dashed CnGs hopes with a well taken goal. CnG refused to die and went on the attack immediately. A quickly taken close in free was driven wide. This was an opportunity missed as YI, now operating with great confidence increased the lead to 4 points. CnG had a late goal chance brilliantly saved by YI keeper Chubby, before they completed their scoring with a point from an acute angle.

But it was the Champions who were to have the last laugh. With time running out and many players out on their feet YIs full back E Breen raced forward to receive the ball on the 45 and strike a wonder point with the outside of his boot.

Young Ireland deserved champions 2-8 to 1-7

Team: Mick Chubby, Fran Eivers, Eamon Breen, James Flavin, Kevin Carey, John McGuckian, Aidan Savage, Eddie OBrien, James Jones, Richie Coss, Seamus Collins, Ciaran Daly,Pat Dunlea, Niall Cunningham, Dec Rooney Subs: Barry O Connor, Finian Moran, Jason Lalor, Chris Og McCann, Aidan McGaughey, Gary Sheehan, James

Scorers: Niall Cunningham 1-5, Jason Lalor 1-0, Pat Dunlea 0-2, C Daly 0-1.

NSW Best and Fairest: John McGuckian
Young Irelands Best and Fairest: Fran Eivers

After a week of constant rain the sun popped its head out of the clouds for the match against Penrith Gaels. Young Irelands were still smarting from a bad loss to Clan Na Gael the previous week and took to the field in a determined frame of mind.

Young Irelands raced into a 2 point lead with fine scores from Mick Slevin and Eddie O Brien who were combining well down the right wing of the attack. Chris Og McCann who was also showing well for the ball then turned his man and fired over a nice score from close range. Young Irelands were presented with a few goal chances but were unable to capitalise on them.

Penrith who this point had been largely subdued got off the score sheet with a fine move and great point from the left wing to reduce the gap to two points.
From there however Young Irelands stepped up a gear and points from O Brien (2), Slevin (1), and a great effort from Dec Rooney saw them go in at half time 0-7 0-1 up.
Half time YI 0-7 Penrith 0-1

Making sure not to let Penrith back into the game Young Irelands started the second half brightly and extended their lead by a further two points from Slevin and OBrien.
With an 8 point cushion Young Irelands took their foot off the pedal slightly and allowed Penrith to score a couple of quick points to give them some hope.

Chris Og McCann left the field with what looked like a nasty injury and was replaced by Jason Lalor who had an instant impact firing over a nice point after a good move. As Penrith pushed forward gaps appeared in their defence and Mick Slevin was able to punish them with two quick well taken scores from Young Irelands.

Penrith were going for goals at this stage but the Young Irelands defence was holding firm. A fine reaction save from Sean McParland saw him tip a goal bound shot over the bar and immediately from the kick out Penrith scored a further point.
However it was too little too late and Young Irelands ran out winners.

Full Time Young Irelands 0-12 Penrith Gaels 0-5