2nd Year Boys - Gaelic Football - Dublin Final

Fynes Finisher Seals Final Victory

St. Joseph’s became back-to-back Dublin champions after a dramatic clash, where extra-time was needed to separate two excellent, evenly matched sides.

St.Joseph’s 3-9

St.Paul’s 3-8 (After Extra-Time)

TY Reporters: Conor Bentley and Udit Harikishan

In what was a repeat of the 1st Year Dublin final last year (where St. Joseph’s came out on top with a last minute winning point from Matty Jackson), it was clear that today was going to be a fiercely competitive contest.

The venue was the GAA Centre of Excellence in Abbotstown, where a strong wind blew across the pitch, which made for difficult conditions for both sides.

First Half

As the first half started, both teams had their fair share of the ball. It was St. Paul’s who threatened first with a low hard struck shot, but Douwe Greidanus pulled off a great save to keep it scoreless.

It was over 10 minutes before the deadlock was finally broken, with a quick-fire goal from Mobarack Salami and a cleverly taken point by Eoin Sweetman.

You could say ‘Mobarack on fire!’ as he got his second goal minutes later - taking his tally to 6 goals in the last two games. It looked very good for St.Joseph’s early on with some serious play, however St.Paul got their first point after keeping possession of the ball well.

This signaled a momentum shift, as St. Paul’s tagged on another 2 points, to make the score 1-1 to 0-3. St. Joseph’s were struggling to get out of their own half at this stage but at the same time, they soaked up most of the pressure well without giving many clear-cut opportunities away.

In the final 10 mins of the half, Eoin Sweetman slotted over his second point of the day in a breakaway move that was aided by the pace and support of Kristers Kvaners, Evan Fynes and Louis Masterson.

Now five points ahead, St. Joseph’s looked in control again but St. Paul’s number 11 had different ideas, ghosting past 2 defenders and firing a 20-yard shot off the crossbar and into the top corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.

St. Paul’s finished the half with a point and they went in the minimum behind.

Half time: St.Joseph’s 2-2 St.Paul’s 1-4

Second Half

The second half started very evenly and both teams were impacted by the increasing winds. Similarly to the first half, the first 10 mins or so of the half remained scoreless.

Once again, Eoin Sweetman popped up with a vital score, this time from a free kick. Soon after, Kristers Zvaners had a moment of brilliance when he struck the ball over from quite a distance - which put some daylight behind the sides.

St. Paul’s refused to back down though, and both sides traded a couple of scores as the half wore on. As the game entered the final 10 mins, St Joseph’s were controlling the game and 3 points ahead but a great breakaway move and subsequent point from St. Paul proved to be a catalyst for their comeback.

While St. Joseph’s did manage to get another free from their ever-reliable Eoin Sweetman, they spent the majority of the final few minutes defending against a resurgent St. Paul’s. With 2 mins left to play, a low struck ball from the edge of the large square, somehow managed to squeeze through a sea of defenders and nestle into the bottom corner.

Extra-time beckoned, and it was St. Paul’s who seemed to have the momentum and the upper hand as the last gasp goal sucked the life out of the St. Joseph’s players who had one hand on the trophy already.

Full time: St. Joseph’s 3-5 St. Paul’s 2-8

Extra Time:

After a nail biting second half ,the first half of extra time began with St.Joseph’s winning two frees. Both teams played cautiously as no one wanted to put a wrong foot wrong.

After some patience play from St. Paul’s around the box, a shot was taken but saved by the foot of Douwe. The half was ultimately separated by two moments of skill and class from Louie Masterson and Kristers Zvaners - scoring two long range points.

Having really controlled the first period of extra time, St. Joseph’s continued the second period the same way, with Kyle Rock curling over an important score to put St. Joseph’s 3 ahead.

Just when it looked like St. Joseph’s would keep St. Paul’s at arm's length and see out the rest of the game, the St. Paul’s number 8 collected the ball and fired the goal of the game into the top right hand corner from 30 yards out.

With three minutes to play, the St. Paul’s team and sideline were going crazy and at this point, all the momentum and energy seemed to back with them.

From the resulting kick out - St. Joseph’s didn't lose the head. Douwe Greidanus floated a beautifully angled kick-out to Evan Fynes in midfield, who caught the ball, turned, and ran half the pitch, beating three defenders before calmly scoring the game winning point.

Shortly after, the ref blew for full time and after a second dramatic final St. Paul’s - St. Joseph’s are once again, Dublin champions.

The manager Mr O’Hara commented: “Unbelievable to get the win, but we made it difficult for ourselves at times. Having said that, the way the players reacted and performed in extra time was nothing short of amazing. Onwards and upwards to the Leinster Semi-Final!”

After Extra-Time: St. Joseph’s 3-9 St. Paul’s 3-8

Managers: Mr O’Hara and Mr Dunne.

Player of the Match: Evan Fynes

Captain: Phelim Masterson

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