Naomh Fionnbarra GAA Club Cabra, Dublin

Our under 14 hurlers had a very comfortable win against a battling Clontarf team that never gave up this afternoon in the Boggies. At  the end of the match the Barrs won on a score of 2 -24 to 2 -4. After a perfect sunny morning this afternoon in the boggie turn cold and windy as the match got under way at half three. A good size crowd from both clubs lined the side lines as the first ten minutes of the match was very even.

 The Barrs then kick into gear and hit some wonderful scores from all angles to leave them  twevel points clear at the break . They continue were they left off in the second half and ran out comfortable winners. Clontarf stuck at it until the end but the Barrs had too much skill and physical power to be beaten.

The Barrs were very strong up the middle. Tadhg Stone was very solid in goal . At full back Andrew Dunne had a fine game with some telling clearance . The two cornerbacks of Cillian Dempsey and Brook Owens were very solid. The half back line of Ralf Sekey Conor Cabuary ( 3 points)Sean Mc Auly were very strong. Conor Cabuarys strength and hurling ability drove the team forward. Center field was Brook Owens and Pierce O Brien (12 points). Pierce gave a great display of point taking which earns him man of the match.

 Early in the first half Mark O Neill was switch in to centre field and he had a very good game. The half foward line of Anthony Vavasour, Nathan Masterson ( 1-3), Kean Brady all battle hard . Nathan Masterson had a great game catching some great balls was not far off a man of the match performance. He scored some nice points. Jake O Connor Aron Cullen(1 -0) Frank Farrell and Brian Drapper (4 points) all work hard and were always dangerous.

Overall it was a very good team performances with some really strong individual players playing really well. There is still a a lot of work to be done with all the players and hopefully by the end of the year all their level will have gone up. Good to see the young management team of Billy and Steven Hyland ,Steven Costello and Richie O Reilly giving their time and working hard to drive this team on. Well done to the players and management and all the supporters who were in the Bogies today. Up the Barrs.

To morrow is a big test for Dublin hurlers. Having deliver on their goal of returning to division one hurling next year this matches is seen by most punters as bonus territory. Hopefully the management of the team and the players see this game as much more then bonus territory. Dublin need to be going into this game with a iron mentality to win. For this team to push on from the great work over the last few years matches like tomorrow have to be won. Dalo has got the team up to a very strong mental strength. For to win a all-Ireland Dublin has to be consistent in winning against the so call strong counties. For the first time in two years the Dublin management have a full deck of cards to play with all over the park. Our own Eamon Dillon wont start to morrow but he will definitely be introduced in the forward line some time in the match. His introduction in the Limerick match gave Dublin the lead and winning of the game . With the sod getting firmer Troller will be coming into form. Best of luck to both players and the management.

Having played very well in the first half of this challange match against Crokes the Barrs had a very indifferent second half and were beaten well. Our basic skills of first touch and striking let  us down. Both teams were understrenth but thats the time other players can make their mark. Good work out but a lot of work to do before we meet the fancy Ballyboden in the first round of the A championship.

Minor Team 1990s

On Sunday our second hurling team play St Maurs  in  the B championship out in Rush at 10 -30. Over the last few years Maurs have had the better of the exchanges against the Barrs at home and away. The games are always tight and generally go to the last five minutes. Last year the Barrs thought they had the game won but lost concentration in the last few minutes which  gave the victory to Maurs. With the weather been very wet over the last month not much hurling has been done by many teams . So form will not be a factor in this game.Who ever wants to win the most will take the points, that’s what championship is all about. Maurs have some nice hurlers and probably had one or two on the Fingal selection which won the Division three county league. Saying that the Barrs are well capable of winning with plenty of depth in their panel. Hopefullly the city parish will take the two points in Rush on Sunday. All support welcome.

Our under 8s in Croke Park 5 April ( Thanks to Ann Maire Keogh for the picture).

March was a very bad month for games as the weather caused havoc with the fixtures. On the adult front we had one inter league match against St Bridget’s which we lost and a hurling cup match against Setanta. Our senior hurlers were also beaten in Castle Gregory in Westmeath in the Leinster Cup. Under 16 team had a win against Clontarlf and a lost against Thomas Davis. Things were quite on the juvenile front with school holidays with Easter and a number of bank holidays. We lost one of our great steward Fred Tunner sn who got a massive turn out from the club and people from the area. Fred is best knowing in the club for his organization of the big draws in the late eighths and ninths which gave the club the money to build the club house.

Dublin hurlers have made it to the League quarter finals in Thurles on Sat night after recording two good wins against Wexford and Carlow in March. Our own Eamon Dillon started the match against Carlow and came on in the match against Wexford to score a goal. The Dublin footballers are in the semi final of the league after beating Down in march and losing narrowly to Tyrone. Some great football played by the team. The Easter draw in the club was held a week later dew to the slow sales of tickets. They sold the next week very quickly due to a greater effort to all concern. Weather seems to be getting better at the start of April. First Senior and Junior hurling matches on the weekend.

                                  Fionnbarrs 7 a side 1978 Bogie’s

Our first league matches of 2013 started today. The under 8s had their first compative match in the bogies with nineteen players. Our Under 9s went out to May park but there was no match. They had fourteen players and went back to the all weather for a football session. Under 10s had thirteen players and played our local revels OP/ER.

                                   Under 10s 2012 in Belfast.

Our under 11s played Kilmacude Crokes and had thirteen players and two good games. Under 13s had eighteen players and were beaten in the bogie’s. The under 14s again had fourteen players and started well against Ballinteer St Johns. A few  scores  coincided in the first half made it hard for the team to come back but good effort shown by team.

                               Under 8s from 2012 at the Wellington monument in November.

Club Lotto started for players from all teams this week. Meeting Monday the 13 for the festival week in club house. Club news letter been organized for March. All Adult teams in heavy training.

The Barrs won their first football championship by winning the Junior championship in 1961. Kevin Heffernan had by this time won an All Ireland senior football championship and senior club county medals in hurling and football for his club St Vincents. By the time the Barrs reached senior football status in 1964 Heffo had long retired from the county team but had kept playing club football for St Vincents. In 1963 the Barrs won the inter league to go senior which put them into the senior championship for 1964.

 Talking to Norman Long the capt of the 61 team he told me the Barrs played very well in the 1964 senior championship having got to the quarter finals. In that game we were drawn against the mighty St Vincents who had won numerous county titles by then. The match was played out in O Toole park. It was the biggest match of the careers of most of the Barrs team of that time as they faced most of the great St Vincents team of that era who were all county stars and won All Ireland medals. Norman said we were hammer in the match and Heffo at full forward scored three points on big Brin Louth the Barrs full back. Heffo would of been in the autumn of his football career at that time.

There are probably more encounters from people memories of the Barrs and Heffo. If there is any other stories contact 8686209 and leave a contact number there.

Minor team 15 Arces 1975

January is half way through and the mot balls are well and throghly gone as our training both senior and juvenile go back to full swing. Best of luck to all our teams this year and the main thing win or loose is to give this year as much commitment as you can. Here is a list of the teams and managers.

Senior Hurlers – Naill Brady -Peter Fitizgearld – Cormac Langan – Paul Turner (sn)

Inter Footballers – Dave Murphy (jn) – Brian Carr – Ciaran Stone – Ray O Reilly.

Senior Comogie – Vinny Kehoe – Timmy Mulane – Madelean Paget.

Second Hurling Team – Deco Fagan – Mick Ward – Thomas Lynch

Second Football Team – Ciaran Stone, Brian Carr, David Caffery

Second Comogie Team -Deark Sweetman – Cathern Kirby

Third Hurling Team Seamus McGratten

Minor Hurling – Paul Tunner (sn)

Minor Football – Joe Lyons

Under 16 -  Shane Langan – Keith Lagan – Paddy Whelan – Wane Dempsey (jn).

Under 15 – Christy Hannon – Seamus Mc Gratten

Under 14 – Stephen Costelo – Steven Hyland , Billy Hyland, Richie O Reilly.

Under 14 Comogie – Thomas Gleason – Eamma Farrell

Under 13 – Eoin Sweetman – Christy Mahar (jn) - Ciaran  Ryan – Henery Dodrill

Under 12 – No Team

Under 11 – Keith Murphy – Stephen Naughton

Under 10 – Stephen Brown

Under 10 Comogie – John Brown  – Ellen Mitchell

Under 9 – Harry Byrne – Danny Ruth

Under 8 – Tommo Kelly

Tiny tots

Cathern Kirby, Steveny Moony, Karan Moor, Barbara Cabury, Joe Casserly (jn)

Third

Presentation Night 2012 was attended by over eighty full, social, and invited guest in our club house. A great night was had by all as the band Jaker played music and songs which cater for the different age groups which attended this function.

Eamon Murphy Dancing the night away.

The meal of chicken and chips reflected the economic times we are in,  but full marks to the chef it really went down well. After the meal it was time for our club chairman Noel Paget and club secretary Seamus McGrattan to perform the most important occasion of the night the presentation of players of the year to our eight adult teams.

It was also a special occasion in another sense as it was the first presentation of a new trophy for the club person of the year. The club committee decided to present a perpetual trophy in honor of one of greatest players Anthony Gossey Costello.

Angela, Gerry ,Catherine Kirby with the Antony Gossie Costello Perpetual Cup

The winner of club person of the year was Catherine Kirby who was the first person to receive the Gossie trophy. Catherine has served for over fifteen years on the juvenile committee and she has been one of the main architects of our tiny tots section since it started in the nineties. The second presentation of the night was the hall of Fame award.

This trophy is awarded to past and present members who have done great work over many decades in our club. The winner of this award was John Casserly. He was the captain of our first championship win in 1961 and has been a number of times chairman of the club. Chairman Noel Paget recalled the summer day in Parnell park in 1961 and a half time speech John delivered to the team, who were been badly beaten by a fancied St Vincents team. It was real Ben Hur stuff. The Barrs won the game with two quick goals in the last five minutes to win our first championship. Thanks to John and his speech the cup went back to Cabra

Ian  Bonos Mc Donald, Robert Mc Carty, Ger Wack Wack O Reilly

The other awards were won by Paul Tunner (jn) who was our best senior hurler by far by his determination and commitment over the year. Ger Dodril was our intermediate player of the year such talent intercounty material and still maturing as a player.

Brian Carr won the second football team award as he had a great year been one of the top player both on and off the pitch leading the way for our younger players coming through. Eoin Fogarty won the second team hurler of the year award. Really work hard at his game this year. and made great strides in all departments , which resulted in him making it into the senior panel for 2013. Third team footballer of the year was won by Niall Dotsy Doherty who has given great commitment all year and has worked hard on his discipline.

Steven Naughton  received the third adult team of the year award and has improved in all aspects of his game. Stephen has worked hard on his discipline and fitness and his skill levels went up.He needs to keep working on all three as a place on the second team could be there for him.

Martin ‘ The Bargain’ Costello, Keith ‘Chunky Murphy,Paul ‘Skiner ‘ Farrell. Phelo in the background with some nectar.

Arran Costello this year was like a chip of the old block and had a great year in senior hurling. In minor he was outstanding,  great determination, stick work and drive he has a great future. The minor footballer of the year is a class act,  Eoin Lohan has great prospect for the future.

Our Camogie section had two main awards on the night.  It was great to see all the team in attendance.  Nicole Kehoe won the senior camogie player of the year which was picked by the girls themselves. She is a great player who has shown great determination and grit all year.

The other presentation was to Madeline Paget from the senior camogie team for her constant work and commitment not only to the camogie section but to the whole club and it was a great tribute to one of our great servants.

Senior Camogie Team with the presentation for Madeline Paget.