St Agnes
The 2008 season has been an interesting one for St Agnes GAC. While it was always going to be difficult for the footballers to repeat their form of 2007, the team set about their task admirably with a string of victories, defeating St Malachy's, St Enda's and rivals Eire Og, becoming the early front runners in Division Four. Meanwhile the hurlers had a similar start to the year with a heartening away win over Ballymena and one sided victory over Lamh Dhearg.
A hard fought win for for the senior footballers over St Paul's in early May was unfortunately not preparation enough for the toughest game of the campaign, away to fellow table toppers Rasharkin. Despite having more than their share of posession St Agnes' couldn't convert their chances and were overcome by nine points. May also saw the hurlers suffer their first loss of the season to St Theresa's, a dissapointing five point defeat in a close match. It was however, the team's last league loss to date, and as we go to print, St Agnes' sit just three points behind the Glen Road men in second place of Division 4A.
The footballer's league campaign threatened to become de-railed with a second loss away to Cargin, but morale was restored on the trip home with the news that Rasharkin had been defeated by St Galls.
Of course the main focus of the year was to capture the Junior Championships in both codes, the footballers having fallen at the final hurdle to Ahoghill in '07, and the hurlers also anxious to get their hands on some silverware. Football preparation was solid, with all eyes focused on a late summer date with St Theresa's, the heavy favourites for the competition. On the day, the St Theresa's men were just too strong, and as so often happens, they rallied after having a man sent off to pull away in the second half. The final score of 4-13 to 1-10 did not really reflect the game, but the Glen Road men were well worth their victory.
The hurlers had more luck with a four point victory in the JHC preliminary round over Davitts, setting up a date with Cloughmills in the first round proper. The north Antrim side have been a regular thorn in the Aggies' side in recent times, and it happened again that they should comfortably win the day by twelve points. Despite defeat in the early stages of both championships, many positives were taken in both codes, and the club set about achieving its main goal of gaining promotion to division three.
As the autumn began to draw in, the footballers recovered from their championship heartache recording a heavy win over St Enda's and a hard fought victory over Eire Og on a rain sodden pitch. The football fixtures came on us hard and fast over the final six weeks of the season and a two way battle developed between ourselves and Rasharkin for the top of the division 4 table. Heading into the last weekend Rahsarkin dropped points while we beat St Malachy's to win the league title and earn a place ini Division 3 for the year ahaead.
Off the field, the club has been very active recently in raising the necessary capital to ensure the smooth running of our operations. We recently hosted a very successful 'Night at the Races' in Casement Social Club, and continue to operate our weekly fundraisers in the same venue.
JUVENILE REPORT
A solid season for the young Aggies with a few very notable highs, all the Clubs teams started their league campaigns very well with no team recording a loss for the first month of activity.
U12 Football
In 2008 St Agnes fielded a very strong U12 football team managed by John Mohan and Ciaran Mulgrew. It was surprising that we were put into divison 3, however we ended up playing against division 1 opponents anyway. We lost a total of 2 matches this year, the first against St Galls. For this game St Galls fielded their A team, but we had the satisfaction of repaying them later in the year, with a comprehensive victory, over the same A team.
The biggest disappointment was the result against Ardoyne in the championship final. This was a very strong team drawn in division 2, but mysteriously lost their first few matches to be put into the B cup. After this draw they demolished every team they played.
Throughout the year, the team gelled together and produced some great football. In some games we had up to 8 different scorers, which demonstrated the strength in depth. Players settled into their positions and any substutitutes came on a did their part. This included some of our U8 players Patrick, John and Brendan. The team was lead by Ciaran Mohan and Dan Turley. Both these players were put forward and picked as county all-stars by Rathmore school. I cannot think of any player who has finished the year without making substantial development as a footballer. Brian Crossan was scoring for fun and Ben Rice was intent on getting a score per game from the half back line.
In our defence Kevin was excellent in goals, with Rory, Conal, Cailon, Killian, Cormac, Eamonn, Ben, Michael and Christopher ensuring every team had a real problem getting scores. Mid field was dominated all year with Dan and Brian. Up front we had the two Ciarans, two John's, Donal, Hugh, Ethan, Callum, James and Glenn. Although a lot of players will move into the U14 category next year, we will still have a very strong and experienced team at U12.
The championship final was played against Ardoyne on a hot sunday at McCrory park. The Ardoyne team arrived very late and did not take to the pitch until a half hour after the official start time. This was in dispute over the fact that both teams effectively had the same colours. The St Agnes coaches decided to get their kids to reverse their rigs as the kids were worn out roasted even before the game started. The game itself was very tight in the first half up until the end of the half when 3 goals were scored by Ardoyne within 3 minutes. This effectively killed off the game and the kids had no energy left to recover in the second half . Ardoyne romped home to an emphatic victory in front of the biggest crowd the kids had to play in front of.
U14 Hurling
The U14 Hurlers followed their bright start to the league with a great result in the Ulster Feile the travelling party all met at the club rooms 8.00am, players, mentors, parents and supporters travelled by coach to Killyclogher County Tyrone.
St Agnes 5.02 – Killyclogher 2.03
In the 1st game against the hosts who were physically bigger we fell behind by 1.02 to 0.00 before scoring a goal of our own just on half time. We stuck to the game plan of early ball spread to the wings and eventually through shear work rate overhauled our bigger opponents scoring a point then a goal for a 2.01 to 1.02 lead before scoring a further 3.01 in the final 3 minutes for a memorable win.
Hugh Grieve 4.00, Conor Compston 1.00, Ciaran Mohan 0.01, Joe Robinson 0.01.
St Agnes 0.03 – Gaeil Triucha 1.00
The final group game was against another big physical team Gaeil Triucha from Monaghan again they took the lead but by using the same tactics we keep in touch and in the closing stages of the game we drew level. Only the final whistle prevented us from winning the game but the draw was enough to see us through.
Conor Compston 0.01, Ciaran Mohan 0.01, James Devine 0.01
After lunch we relocated to Carrickmore and took part in the parade, then on to Beragh to play the final against Pearses of Belfast.
St Agnes 2.03 – Pearses 1.03
A good Pearses team elected to play with the wind and took full advantage of it racing into an early lead of 1.02 to 0.00, but thereafter they were held scoreless until half time.
Would a 5 point lead be enough?
From the restart a great midfield tussle for possession developed before the sliothar was eventually delivered to the St Agnes forwards who won possession were fouled and converted the resulting free.
A 65 was converted followed by another from play, 3 points scored after six minutes. After a few minutes of absorbing battle St Agnes won possession in midfield and a great delivery from 60 meters caught Pearses out with the sliothar travelling straight to their net.
From the puck out St Agnes again won possession clever cross field play left their centre half back in an advanced position with half a yard of space, he side stepped a challenge and drilled the ball to the net.
Pearses came back scoring a point to leave a goal in the game. Both teams hurled courageously and a grandstand finish ended when St Agnes eventually cleared their lines for a deserved win.
Conor Compston 1.00, Dan Turley 1.00, Hugh Grieve 0.02, Ciaran Mohan0.01
The team returned home at 8.00pm tired but happy.
A big thank you to the team mentors Hugh and Gerry, parents Geraldine , David, Paul, Dermot and Raymond to Ciara for her administrative support and a word for the driver Pearse who proved to be an able and enthusiastic supporter in between his driving duties.
To the Feile committee, the Tyrone County board, the host clubs whose outstanding facilities were matched by their hospitality and referees all of whom contributed to a great day.
To every player all of whom hurled to the best of their ability, their collective effort and will to win was the foundation for their success.
St Agnes U14's
U14 Football
The U14 footballers started extremely well and were top of the table with a few rounds to play, one poor performance caused a dip in confidence and the team lost the last two games when victory was almost certain. Great credit must go to these young players who have stuck together and continue to show great maturity.
This team is looking forward to the 2009 season when many of them will be playing in their second year at U14 and hopes are high that the very many positives from the 2008 season can be built upon.
A celebration
St Agnes Youngest Players at the presentation