Photo: Final words of pre-match advice to Clonard Under 12’s in the Summerhill dressing rooms

Match Report - Spring League Roinn F Final

Clonard 0-10 Moynalvey 0-11

Certain disappointments in life cannot be put into words, you just have to experience it. Today Clonard’s Under 12’s had a tough life lesson, albeit in a sporting context, as they experienced losing a final by a solitary score, some for the second time in just two weeks.

With an early 10 o clock start due to Meath hurlers Christy Ring final appearance, Clonard were quickest out of the blocks in the early Summerhill sunshine with a point from nippy corner forward Kayden Plunkett inside the first two minutes. Moynalvey responded though, with four scores in a row to lead at the first quarter stage by 0-4 to 0-1. It was end to end stuff throughout the remainder of the first half as the skill and talent level on display from both teams looked like that of a far older age group. It was a credit to both sides. Clonard were now on top though and points from Callum Quinn (2), Evan Joyce, and deal-ball scores from James Connolly and Kayden Plunkett had Clonard deservedly leading at the half time break on a scoreline of 0-7 to 0-5.

At the back Niall McHugh was winning every ball together with his defensive colleagues Darragh Kirrane and Shane Walsh-Oxley in the half back line, who were well supported by Briaden Shaw and Alan Hannon behind them. In Midfield Kian Campbell was covering every blade of grass alongside his midfield partner and captain Aaron Scott, who was his usual busy and fully committed self, proving a thorn in the side of his talented opponent. This midfield partnership is a joy to watch and has blossomed more and more with every game they play together.

Scores were now proving hard to come by with ten minutes gone in the second half as both sides registered only a single score each in that spell. This was due in the main to tigerish and committed defending by both sides which is often typical of final displays when there’s so much at stake.

Moynalvey then hit a purple patch and registered four scores in a row for the second time in the game to lead by two. Clonard responded in usual brave fashion but their domination wasn’t being rewarded on the scoreboard as they missed several scoring opportunities to level and retake the lead. Daniel Johns ended a fifteen-minute barren spell for his team with a point, but more narrowly missed shots and frees continued for Clonard as Moynalvey held on a one score victory, final score Clonard 0-10 Moynalvey 0-11.

Scenes of complete emotional devastation followed for these young Clonard boys, with some of the boys also having experienced it only two weeks previous in the Under 14 final. But this one was even tougher to take considering their domination and majority possession during the game, coupled with the minimum deficit between the sides.

Coaches and parents expressed what words they could to the young Clonard warriors as Moynalvey celebrated jubilantly. Consoling words to boys who appeared inconsolable. A long talk in the dressing rooms after match and then a trip to Supermacs healed things slightly, but these boys know that the real cure is the drive this can give them to reach another final and to win it. That opportunity comes around quick enough with the Summer tournament in July. Family holidays during that month will mean plenty of absentees for those matches and will give ample opportunities of game time for all the players in this large squad.

Well done to the boys and their coaches, David Campbell, Tracy Fahey, Padraig Condon, and David Hannon, for a wonderful spring league campaign, losing only to Moynalvey by a single score on both occasions. On the way to the final they registered convincing wins over Longwood, Ballinabrackey and Boardsmill as well as a win in Dunsany. This is a very talented squad, who will now take a week off and then bounce back in to training for the summer tournament, because that’s what brave young Clonard warriors do.

The team’s achievement is further evidenced by the fact that the last time Clonard made an under 12’s final was 14 years ago in 2005, with a certain Adam Flanagan in that team, who lines out for Meath tomorrow in the Leinster final at Croke Park. These boys should be very proud and look forward to a very bright future with plenty of more final opportunities to come. Heads up lads.

Team: Liam Gregan, Braiden Shaw, Alan Hannon, Shane Walsh-Oxley, Darragh Kirrane, Niall McHugh, Kian Campbell, Aaron Scott, Evan Joyce(0-1), Daniel Johns(0-1), James Connolly (0-1f), Kayden Plunkett (0-4 0-2f), Callum Quinn (0-3), Noah Victory, Daniel Ward, Jimmy Patrizi, Jim Kelly, Matthew Orton, Cillian Doyle, Shane O’Sullivan, Tony Hopkins.