London Youth Committee notes

A brief report on the North London U14 boys trip to the Feile in Kerry by Declan Ryan.

Last weekend the North London U14 Boys travelled to Kerry for the Feile competition and were hosted by the Beaufort Club. Our Players, Management and supporters were superb ambassadors for North London.  The Boys produced some outstanding  displays in getting to the Division 4 final before going down 1-08 to 0-04 against Eire Og Greystone from Wicklow.

Along the way there was one draw and two superb wins in our group games. On Friday evening we travelled to Kilcummin to play our two opening group games and first up was a game against Eire Og Greystones Wicklow. The boys started the game slowly and it took until the second half for the boys to find their feet and they came back to claim a draw against a very strong opposition. They were 6 points down with four minutes to go but they dug deep and goals from Paddy Ryan and Joe Joe Thabo drew the boys level. In the second game the North London boys had quite convincing win over Kilcummin of Kerry with the boys winning 4-10 to 1-01.

On Saturday morning North London played our host club Beaufort and it turned out to be a tight affair but the boys came out on the right side of the 1-6 to 2-06 score line with a 3 point win. This result left us joint top of our group with Eire Og Greystones on 5 points each but they took top spot on score different. On Saturday afternoon we travelled to Dr Crokes Ground in Killarney where we played Inbane Gaels of Cork and this game was a very tight and physical game but the boys showed great team spirt and produced some great football which was fitting for the great venue and won the game by 3 points with the score line finishing 2-05 to 1-05.

The boys were up earlier on Sunday morning in preparation for the semi-final which was played in Gneevgullia and our opposition for the game were the current Sligo U14 champions St Molaise. The boys started the game in a slow manner but managed to play their way into the game and took the lead towards the end of the first half and it was a lead they did not give up despite having to withstand a large surge from St Molaise but the boys held out with some great defending and won the game by 3 points with score line North London 1-07 St Molaise 1-04.

On Sunday afternoon we travelled to Rathmore to play the final against Eire Og Greystones who we previously played in our first game on Friday evening and drew with them. After playing so well throughout the weekend things did not happen for the boys in the final as their performance was not up to the high standard they had set in their previous games and poor discipline cost them dearly as the Eire Og free taker punished them for the majority of the indiscretions. North London fought to the very end and created some goal chances but for some great defending from the opposition the boys could not get the required goals they so desperately needed and Eire Og ran out winners 1-08 to 0-04. The boys were very upset at losing the final but they can be very proud of their performances throughout the weekend and they were great ambassadors for North London GAA.  

The hospitality from the Beaufort GAA club was outstanding and everyone in the North London party will take life long memories and have make friends for life from a very special weekend. London GAA would like to thank this excellent group of young men for representing North London in such brilliant fashion. Thanks also to the management team of Barney Breen, Tony Griffin and Declan Ryan.  A sincere thank you must go to all those parents and families who made the journey to Kerry.