The under 6’s and under 8’s set up camp in the short grass at Greenford on a dry but chilly Saturday morning. As players and helpers arrived the excitement level rose. A warn up session went well as parents organised kit, mouth guards and of course the obligatory tea.
We had two under 8 teams and one under 6 team which for the first hour comprised solely of newcomer Fiachra O’Slatara! He flew the flag well for the club, participating with no little skill in mini matches until the cavalry arrived in the form of Olivia and Jack Cummings, also playing at their first blitz.
It was great to see the enthusiasm of our newcomers and this age group is a particularly bubbly and fun loving lot. Well done to all our under 6’s including the 10 or so we had at training the previous Wednesday who were absolutely fantastic in everything they did.
The under 8’s began their blitz against St. Kiernan’s and it was immediately obvious that those who were under 6’s last year and now moving up an age group to the under 8’s were not one bit phased. Eoin Murray, James Montgomery and Evin O’Connor played some really great stuff and combined extremely well with the veterans on the team.
Aaron Murphy playing in his first ever blitz was an eager beaver and the other new under 8’s , Olly Wilson, Harry Morrissey, Colleen Moran, Finn Steward and Joe McGuinness were busy at all times and we can’t wait to see them at the next blitz.
Well done to Colin McGuinness, Dave Connolly and John Montgomery for coaching these young lads and lassies so well last year , they certainly all look at home at the under 8 level – great work!
We played two more matches, finishing with a match between ourselves as we had enough players for two teams. I think it’s fair to say that the elder statesmen of the team were now coming into their own. Tommie Logan, Lorcan Moriarty, Ryan Bailey, Harry Kilker and Jake Roache were as brilliant and reliable as ever.
But it was the younger under 8s from last year , Josh Kilker, Ryan Moran, Ronan Cummings and especially Thomas O’Brien (who was on fire and put in a superb performance!) that have stepped up to another level building on their super end of season form of last year.
We all shook hands at the conclusion of the final game and thanked our hosts TÍr Chonaill Gaels who organised a friendly and relaxing blitz for all to enjoy.
Hold on ……where are our under 6’s somebody asks? No need to worry they had earlier and wisely sought the refuse of the club house and were busy tucking into hot lunches! There’s no fear of them!!
We all dispersed slowly, some staying to support our under 10’s and under 13’s who had just started their games, others no doubt to attend other important engagements , parties etc. etc.
We will do it all again.
A final word for Joey Gilroy and Evan O’Sullivan who at short notice were unable to make the games but will I am sure be jumping at the bit for the next event. Rumours were also heard around Greenford on Saturday concerning the progress being made by Tadhg O’Slatara after his unfortunate arm break a few weeks ago (school not Gaelic!). I have it on good authority that he is preparing for a return to the Gaelic field in the not too distant future – watch this space!
