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The curtain came down on a memorable season for Clonmel Celtic U13s last Wednesday night. We had an intriguing game between the Boys and their Dads in lovely sunshine. It was an absorbing tussle at times and judging by the grimaces of pain etched on the Dads’ faces as we neared the end the thought did cross my mind that the club's decision to purchase a defibrillator was a sound one. I'm not sure who won the game actually as I didn't witness a goal for the 10 minutes I was there. I don't know whether this was a reflection on the quality of defending or the ‘quality’ of attacking or perhaps it was more to do with the fact that the mammies were left on the bench as unused subs, Tut, Tut! Anyway the night finished with a number of presentations with Billy O’Goman (Most Improved); Alex Greene (Golden Boot) and Dawid Grabowski and Ruairi Kelly (Players of the Season) receiving awards. However as was clear from the coachs' speeches the double success of League and Cup this season was not down to individuals but the collective effort of a great squad of players. The evening finished with the thoughts of the three wise men:
Paul:
‘’First a huge thanks to Alan, Martin and the whole club for letting me on board, I felt very welcome the first day at training and it was nice that we could discuss training, players, team selections without fear of being put down. There was a good work ethic from the coaches and it definitely got through to the team. Best high was winning the league in shanbally, followed closely by beating peake up there, Clerihan at home and the 1 nil win at town, which defined our season. The only real low was the opening defeat to clerihan but it got rid of any delusions from the start, we all had to pull together and we did...’’
Martin:
‘’The start of the season wasn't great. We went to a blitz tournament in mallow albeit without some key players and it certainly wasn't good and we thought we had a lot of work on our hands. We also lost our national cup game and then the first league game so things were looking bleak. Losing at half time in our next game we made a few changes at half time which were key not only to that game but for the rest of season. We went on to win that game and remain unbeaten for the rest of the season. There were a few dodgy moments along the way but the boys dug in and their football improved immensely and also their attitude. My low point would be the start of the season, while my high would be the night we won the league having been down 2-0 at half time. On a personal level Alex finishing on 18 goals for the season was also very proud point for me’’
Alan:
‘’As the lads above have said the start of the season was tough as we found our feet. We had an honest approach with players. We demanded a lot of work and an improved attitude from them. We wanted them to take responsibility. But we also treated them like adults. Only by encouraging them to take responsibility for their own performances could they develop that level of maturity and camraderie amongst each other. For me, when we won the league I felt huge joy for the players. But during our subsequent cup run, I started to feel a different emotion. It was pride. We no longer had to psyche the players up as much. Not too many words were needed. Players wanted it themselves. We guided them, but the players became self-motivated, honest and humble. They ran teams into the ground in the opening stages of a number of games. On occasions they brought a level of intensity that no team would live with. These traits we need to carry into next year. They're winners now, let's have that shine through next year. On a personal note I want to thank Martin, Paul and Eddie for their huge efforts and friendship during the season. I want to thank Konrad for coaching these players to where they are today. Big thanks to John & Tony for all the work during the year. A massive thanks to all the parents who travelled to games and supported us all year through highs and lows. Most of all I want to thank the players. The friendships you make are the most important thing in any team sport, and I have a huge connection with all the brilliant young men in this squad. It's those bonds that see you through the tough moments and get you over the line when it matters most. You do it for each other, ultimately. I certainly won't forget this season and the part that every player played. Great job boys’’
The season in figures:
Clonmel Celtic played a total of 13 games in cup and league with an impressive 77% win ratio. In all Celtic won 10, drew 1 and lost 2. In these games they scored a total of 49 goals while conceding 17. There was a total of 5 clean sheets, a more than respectable return at Schoolboy level from 13 games.
The Goal Chart:
Alex Greene 18; Jake Forristal 7; Matthew Roche Nagle 4; Dawid Grabowski 4; Dominik Mendal 3 ; Michael Prendergast 3; Paddy Ormonde 2; Dylan Lonergan 2; Adam Zorgati 2, Michael O’Connell 2; Ruairi Kelly 1; Harry Roche Nagle 1.
A view from outside the camp:
I recall during an Academy session on Saturday 4th November I glanced down to the main pitch. The u13s trudged off with heads bowed at half time of their clash with Shanbally Utd 1-0 down. Having lost their first two games the forlorn look on the coaches faces hinted at a long hard season ahead. However a significant positional change, a few words of encouragement and the boys responded in style to run out 5-1 winners. I don’t think the coaches or parents could have hoped for what followed i.e. an unbeaten run for the remainder of the season. Although all games in a small league are hugely important three in particular stand out for me. The 4-0 win against Clerihan was significant. Having lost their only league game to Clerihan on the first day of the season this reversal showed the boys were back with a bang and were now serious contenders. The league developed into a two horse race between Celtic and Villa and having drawn 3-3 in Clonmel the return game in Thurles was the proverbial six pointer and the boys showed true grit and character to record a hugely important 2-1 win. And so it came down to the final game of the season where victory away to an improving Shanbally Utd would see Celtic crowned champions. On the day of the game I sent Martin a cheeky text ‘don’t f**k it up now’. Martin admitted to me recently that text crossed his mind as the boys trailed 2-0 at the break. But Martin and his team showed their leadership skills and of course we had the memorable quote ‘we will not die here tonight’ that will go down in Celtic folklore. What a response from the players. From the brink they battled back to win 3-2 and claim the league title. Although Alex deservedly got the headlines for his goals this season I was pleased when I heard Michael O’Connell came off the bench to score the winner. George and myself remembered Michael from an U8 blitz five/six years ago when he scored 6 times in one game. We christened him Berbatov after that!
When we started the Academy in 2010 our objectives were silverware for the club, club representation at County level and perhaps one or two to make it to the Emerging Talent Regional Programme. This great squad of players have delivered on all three fronts. Enjoy your break but remember you will have to come back stronger and better next season as greater challenges await.
As the cartoon goes, ‘That’s all folks’!!!