Dunnamaggin NS 5 aside Leinster Champions

07 May 2015


Last Wednesday 29th April,St Leonards Dunnamaggin were crowned FAI 5aside Leinster champions.It is a huge achievement for the school and for the boys who now go on to compete in the National finals at the Aviva on May 14
    Having come out of the Kilkenny competition on 17th April,beating 14 other teams,the lads travelled to Portlaoise for the mid - leinster competition. They battled hard to overcome Kildare,Laois and Offaly.
    The Leinster final is a huge occasion with teams from south,North, mid Leinster and Dublin competing.Four of the boys had been to Navan last year which was an advantage to them.Their first game was against the hotly fancied Dublin team,Bluebell.The lads settled quickly and by half time were 4-1 up.The Dublin boys scored early in the second half but the lads tightened up their marking and held out 4-2.It was a great start and gave them confidence for the second game,easily overcoming the Louth outfit 7-0.
     As last year it all came down to the last game.Nails were bitten,nerves jangling.At the beginning of the game the boys were nervous,hitting the post twice.However,halfway through ,Andy broke clear and scored.Early in the second half Dylan made it 2-0.Though the opposition did get one back,the final whistle sounded soon after and the boys could scarcely believe it,they were Leinster champions!
   The lads got their medals and cup,and a lovely kit for the final.News of the win was relayed back to parents and the rest of the school who were delighted.
    The boys know they would not be heading to the Aviva if it were not for their manager,PJ  OKeeffe. PJ has trained the school team for the past 4 years and has brought them to the Leinster stage for the past 3.In that time PJ has got great support from the FAI contact in Kilkenny, Darren Murray,who stayed close to the lads all day in Navan giving encouragement.Hopefully,the boys will enjoy the memorable and unique occasion in the Aviva.
Team: Andy Hickey,Darragh Walsh,Shaun O Keeffe,Dylan Carroll, Conor Denny, Joe Fitzpatrick, Jimmy O Neill and Tadhg O Sullivan. 
Good Luck Boys!!!