Junior Boys (5th class)
Our junior boys team started their season with a home win vs Gaelscoil Bhaile Brigín. This was the lads first ever game for St. Marnocks and they were delighted to get the win. In our second game we battled well and performed brilliantly against our neighbours St. Helens. The game was played in front of a big crowd in Naomh Mearnóg. In the end, Helens got the better of us but the Marnocks boys showed great fight. In our last game, we made the journey to Rush NS and unfortunately came up against a really strong team. The boys should be really proud of their performances and represented the school with great pride.
Senior Boys (6th class)
This is the schools first time in a number of years entering a senior boys Cumann na mBunscol competition. We competed in the Corn na nGearaltach (Div2). The lads won their three group games, defeating Scoil Assaim Raheny, St Cronans Swords & St John Boscos Navan Road. These three victories left us with a home quarter final vs Gaelscoil Bhrian Bóroimhe. Our boys played fantastic football in the first half to lead 3-06 – 0-01 at half time. In the second half, Bhrian Bóroimhe threw everything at us but our boys held on to win 3-11 to 0-09 to secure a place in the semi-final.
On Tuesday October 17th, a strong squad of 25 boys travelled to Ringsend Park to take on St Brigids BNS, Foxrock. With a date in Croke Park on the line, the Foxrock lads started the game strongly and kept themselves ahead for the entire game. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be for us, but the boys battled well and left everything on the pitch against impressive opposition. We would like to wish the St Brigids team the very best of luck in the final in Croke Park.
Overall, it was a really positive, enjoyable two months for boys Gaelic football in the school. Between the two teams, there was 12 training sessions and 44 boys wore the St. Marnock’s jersey. The boys have developed brilliantly as players over the past two months and will continue to develop further by playing for their clubs. Reaching a senior Cumann na mBunscol semi-final is a great achievement and something to be extremely proud of.
A huge thanks to the parents for all their support and arranging transport, Naomh Mearnóg for the use of their pitches and to all the referees, especially Danny Harrington our local ref.
A special word of thanks must go to Charlie from Mr. Barnes class, “the kit man”. Charlie is our kit man and collected the jerseys from the players, washed them, gave the jerseys out to the players on game day and kept the score for me during the Gaelscoil Bhrian Bóroimhe game. He also encouraged and supported the boys throughout the season. Thanks for all the help Charlie!
Mr Doherty.
