LATEST NEWS - Eire Og began their league campaign losing to St Johns

St John’s 3-07 Eire Og 1-01

The scoreline does little justice to a brave Eire Og team who put in a gallant performance against St Johns. Despite missing many regulars the Ogs led for most of the game & it was only in the last 10 minutes when a combination of injuries & tiredness let St Johns in for 3 soft goals.
Playing against the breeze in the 1st half the Ogs battled strongly against a physically taller opposition & opened the scoring after a flowing move beginning in defence with Stephen Carson & Conor Cochrane involved before releasing to Ciaran McAreavey. St Johns came back strongly and began to take control at midfield despite the best efforts of Conor McKenna. They scored 3 unanswered points and this would have been more if not for excellent defensive blocks from Joe O'Neill, Conor McClean and Dee Caldwell. When the defence was breached the Ogs were able to rely on goalkeeper Andrew who pulled off several excellent saves. With the Ogs trailing by 2 points and half time approaching another free flowing move all the way from defence saw full forward Andrew lose his marker and with the goals in sight he blasted the ball to the back of the net to leave the Ogs ahead at the interval 1-01 to 0-3.
In the opening 10 minutes of the 2nd half defences dominated with the Ogs half back line of Stephen Mcguigan, Aidan and Stephen Carson to the fore and going into the final quarter the Ogs were still ahead. Then disaster struck when a dubious free was awarded to St Johns around midfield and with the Ogs defence caught unawares a high ball was fielded by the St Johns full forward who slotted the ball past a despairing Andrew. Straight from the kick out St Johns scored another goal. Then Conor McKenna who was having an excellent game was forced to retire injured and with that went the Ogs chances of victory. St Johns added several late scores, as the final score gave an unfair reflection of the match. It would be unfair to single anyone out for special praise as this was a great team performance from the Ogs, who can now look forward to the rest of the League with great confidence.

Team:
1. Andrew McGrath
2. Joe O'Neill
3. Dee Caldwell
4. Conor McClean
5. Stephen Carson
6. Aidan McKenna
7. Stephen McGuigan
8. Conor McKenna
9. Matthew Devlin
10. Ciaran McAreavy
11. Josh Murray
12. Conor Cochrane
13. Aidan McGarrity
14. Andrew Doherty
15. Chris Murphy
16. Ciaran Rice
17. Declan Cavana

Oct 9 Gort na Mona 2-9 Éire Óg 0-1

The Ógs continued their foray against Division 1 teams in the Under 13 winter league. In very blustery conditions Eire Óg played a much stronger and classier Gort na Mona outfit. However, a fantastic performance in the first half from all the Ógs players, but particularly from Matt Devlin in midfield and Joe O’Neill and Dee Cullen in the back line, saw the Ógs trail only by 0-4 to 0-1 at half time.
However the start of the second half saw Gort na Mona bring on a number of taller and much stronger players and they proceeded to dominate the midfield and half forward lines. Only some excellent goal keeping from Andrew McGrath would have seen the Gorts run way with this game. The withdrawal through injury of Stevey McCaffrey was a huge blow for the Ógs as he was doing excellent holding job at centre half back. Thereafter constant pressure from the Gorts resulted in two quick goals and four unanswered points. However the Ógs game back strongly and with Ciaran McAreavy and Ciaran Rice in the half forward line winning significant possession the Ógs started to create some excellent scoring opportunities. On two occasions they were denied goals by superb goal keeping skills from the Gort keeper. Undeterred the Ógs battled hard and with all 7 subs getting a run out they ensured that the Gort were never able to relax.
All in a while the score was disappointing the never say die attitude of all the Ógs players gives good heart for the forthcoming match against St Galls.

Sun 16 October 2005 Eire Óg 8-10 St Galls 4-04

A superb performance from the Ógs saw them overcome St Galls in this Under 13 league match played in near perfect conditions at Woodlands. The Ógs started the match like a house on fire and within the first 3 minutes Aidan McGarrity found the net with a well taken goal following excellent approach play from Matt Devlin in midfield. This was quickly followed by another goal from Ciaran Rice which left the Galls men reeling. Matt Devin continued to dominate the middle field and indeed continued to do so throughout the game, turning in a man of the match performance characterised by superb fielding, robust tackling and vision which belied his 13 years of age. He worked tirelessly throughout the game covering every blade of grass on the park and managed to cap his performance with 4 well taken points. However this performance was about more than just one player, this match saw every Ógs player play to the best of their ability - from Andrew McGrath in goals to Ciaran McAreavy in the forward line each turned in a performance that ensured St Galls were always on the back foot. This was particularly evident in our half back line where Steven Carson completely dominated his man and also managed to score a goal and 2 points. Similarly Oisin Rodgers at centre half forward used his size and strength to continually open up the St Galls defence and set up many scoring opportunities and also to score 1-02 himself.
With the match split into three 20 minute periods the Ógs took the opportunity to play all their 8 subs and each one of these showed why this squad, if it continues to train together, can be team to watch in the future. No more was this typified than by the performance of Andrew Docherty who came on for the second 20 minute period to score 2 well taken goals and set up many other opportunities for his team mates.
The final whistle brought a strong sense of satisfaction for the Ógs particularly for the Under 12’s on the team who were trounced by St Galls in the Under 12 league earlier in the year. The match was an excellent game of football played in a truly competitive spirit with no dirty play from either side and a credit to both clubs.

Éire Óg team: A McGrath, J O’Neill, D Cullen, C McLean, A McKenna, C McCormick, S Carson, M Devlin, C McKenna, C McAreavy, O Rodgers, J Murray, A McGarrity, S McGuigan, C Rice, C Cochrane, C Rooney. D Lavery, A Docherty, H Doran, K McKenna, C Hendron.

Éire Óg 1-10 Sarsfields 3-05

A lack lustre performance by Eire Óg saw them lose by the narrowest margins in this Under 13 league game. While the Ógs started well with Oisin Rogers at centre half forward taking a fine point, a series of missed scoring opportunities together with some slack defending at the back saw Sarsfields rack up 1 goal and 2 points to no reply. Sarsfields were extremely strong down the middle with their centre half back dominating the game and he used his size, and probably additional years, to good advantage. The Ógs were also losing the midfield battle and looked a completely different side from their excellent display the week before against St Galls. The end of the first 15 minute period saw the Ógs trail 1-4 to 0-1. With a panel of 26, six new players were brought on and had the desired effect with points from Matt Devlin (2), Oisin Rogers and Chris McCormick seeing the Sarsfields lead reduce. Excellent play from Steven Carson and Chris Murphy in the back line ensured that the now sporadic Sarsfields attacks did not extend their lead. Entering the final 15 minute period the Ógs, despite playing below par, had nudged ahead and another victory was on the cards. However two high balls into the square caused panic in the Ógs defence and in the ensuing scramble to get the ball out Sarsfields nipped in for another 2 goals. Despite further points from Stevey McGuigan and Josh Murray the Ógs failed to overcome Sarsfields lead. Overall it was a disappointing performance from the Ógs with only a few players playing to their potential. Best for the Ógs were Steven Carson, Chris Murphy and Oisin Rogers.

Click here for details on these past seasons: