Irish Grand National winner, Lord Lariat (the one with four legs), PJ and Sonia Casey, paid a visit to the Fingal Ravens grounds last week and was an absolute gent. Completely unflustered by the well deserved attention and everyone got their moment in the sun with him at www.fingalravens.ie
Fingal Ravens GFC
Fingal Ravens u16s V Whitehall Colmcille
With a bare-boned 15 at their disposal the Fingal Ravens had their work cut out against a highly regarded Whitehall Colmcille who were alternating between their A and B teams on a hot Saturday afternoon. Make no mistake, this would be a tough match against either Whitehall side, but with the ability to switch to fresh legs after each water break and at half time, the Fingal Ravens u16s would have to be pretty much flawless. They were. What a fantastic win, and a great way to put down a marker for the rest of the season. A brilliant effort by everyone.
Full set of match photos at www.fingalravens.ie
Fingal Ravens Minors V St Sylvesters
Here we go again. Another fighting comeback from the Fingal Ravens in the last quarter against a very good St Sylvester’s side. St Silvester’s had been in control for most of the match but failed to kill it off against a Raven’s team known for their never-say-die attitude. Three ruthless goals within ten minutes left St Sylvester’s with not enough time to rally. Great team effort and spirit shown by the Fingal Ravens Minor Team to get things off to a flying start.
Full set of match photos on www.fingalravens.ie
Fingal Ravens u16s - Back in The Game
Great to see Jack and the rest of the team back out playing again, it’s been far too long. Friendly game against one of their biggest local rivals, St Peter’s, over at Garristown. This was always going to be a tough game against competitive opponents who won last time out.
The Ravens started slow, something they have a tendency to do, going a goal and a couple of points down in the opening 10 minutes. All credit to the lads for not giving up, which is the other thing they have a tendency to do. When things begin to click with this team they really do work very well together. The biggest tactical improvement in this game was from the kick-outs. Aaron’s calls and distribution found a Raven’s player with pretty much unerring accuracy, fantastic stuff.
Big improvements too from George, who had already made great strides last season - short as it was - but has continued to push on to another level and will undoubtedly become a regular MOTM contender. Credit too to Luke, his commitment to the team has always been 100% but now his running and awareness is so much more focussed. Dan too has moved up a gear, defensively reading the game earlier and breaking out from the back line with more confidence.
Those were just the things that stood out in terms of biggest improvements in a team that was already excellent. All in all a well deserved win and a fantastic effort from a team that continues to get stronger.
Full set of match photos at www.fingalravens.ie
Fingal Ravens 2-12 Cuala A 4-11
This was one of those games that was won in the first 20 minutes. Cuala’s u16 midfield (especially their 6, 8, and 9) were really well disciplined and worked like a well oiled machine, the hectic pace they began with carried them into an early lead and they piled on the pressure relentlessly. Half-time was a welcome break for the Ravens, time to assess and regroup. Lesser teams might have crumbled, but the Ravens held their ground against another Cuala onslaught after the break before raising themselves up and bringing the game to the opposition. This was more like it, fast moving attacks coming from everywhere on the pitch and close support always being available. By my reckoning the Ravens scored 2-8 in the second half, with Cuala scoring 1-5 (I may be wrong). For these lads, half of them in the u15s, to pick themselves up and bring the fight to a class act like Cuala speaks volumes for their grit and determination to never give in. As a team they should be proud of themselves, rightly so, because when they play as we all know they can there’s nobody they should fear.
Fingal Ravens LGFC 4-13 Trinity Gaels 2-13
Fingal Ladies Adult team take the Shield against Trinity Gaels in another closely fought game. They’d drawn their match together a month ago, so both sides knew they’d have to be at the top of their game to win. Trinity Gaels started brightest, playing at a fast tempo and overwhelming the Ravens who too readily went for the long hopeful ball rather than short accurate passes. The Ravens are too good to fall too far behind, but against the Trinity Gaels you really can’t drop the ball and give away half chances. Everything changed after the first water break. Whatever was said, the Ravens were a different prospect from then on, keeping their cool going forward with some really patient build up and making terrific runs from deep to take the lead. All that hard work meant legs became tired in the second half. Trinity Gaels sensed it and fought back hard, and for a while it seemed like the Ravens couldn’t shift the ball out of their own half. The Gaels came close but just couldn’t capitalise on their chances when they needed to. The Ravens somehow found another gear and stretched their lead, lots of snappy give and go balls from supporting players, and the calmness to run down the clock given the opportunity . Cracking game of football between two well-matched teams, and a great win to take home.
All match photos over on www.fingalravens.ie
Fingal Ravens 2-6 Ballymun Kickhams 4-5
Great start by Fingal Ravens u16s against Ballymun Kickhams to take a narrow lead into half time, just a few points in it. Both sides evenly matched, using the full width of the pitch and competing hard for everything. The big turning point was Ravens getting a black card in the second half. Ballymun Kickhams were ruthless and efficient in exploiting the gaps and the game swung hard in their favour. After the black card the sides were more evenly matched again, but the gap was too much. This is a GAA game the Ravens lost.
Full set of match photos soon at: www.fingalravens.ie
Fingal Ravens 1-14 Naomh Mearnog 1-4
Fantastic game of football from Fingal Ravens Minor team against Naomh Mearnog in the Quarter Final. Ravens moved the ball fast and used the full width of the pitch, especially when they got a turnover. Close match for much of the game, which is what you’d expect against Naomh Mearnog, but Ravens upped the tempo in the second half to pull ahead.
GAA Minors Semi finalists are: Fingal Ravens; Templeogue Synge Street; Fingallians; Naomh Olaf.
All the match photos at: www.fingalravens.ie
Fingal Ravens 7-9 Balinteer 0-7
Another cracking match from the Fingal Ravens. The u15s GAA team taking on Ballinteer St John’s on a lovely Tuesday evening was enough to see that the effort and teamwork that went into winning all of last year’s trophies and medals hadn’t been forgotten. Fantastic teamwork by everyone who took to the pitch. Chuffed Jack got a goal and a point, he loves playing for this team and was buzzing afterwards. The back lines were immense and, as we’ve come to expect, the goalkeeping was excellent. Everyone moved the ball well and got forward in numbers fast, with the midfield dictating play and seeing the runs.
All the photos: www.fingalravens.ie
Fingal Ravens 0-8 Naomh Mearnog 3-13
There’s little positive to be had from a GAA game like that, other than Fingal Ravens are far better than this. The Ravens simply did not get going fast enough. Naomh Mearnog wanted it more from the get-go, leading from start to the end, by which time they were coasting. Where the Ravens were surprisingly ponderous and slow breaking forward, Naomh Mearnog raced through the midfield practically unopposed and overwhelmed the back lines. It wasn’t even close.
All the photos on: www.fingalravens.ie
Fingal Ravens u16s 1-12 Erins Isle 2-12
That was a tough GAA game, if not a great game of football by any means. Fingal Ravens did well, considering. They’ll be gutted they didn’t win because they’ll know they could have done, but it just wasn’t happening on the day. Aaron made some terrific saves on what was a busy night for him, and his good work kept us in the game. Ben, Dylan, and Conor worked their socks off, as usual; hopefully Ben’s shoulder isn’t too bad after the battering it took. We were much better when we moved the ball forward, fast, with lots of snappy hand passes. When long kicks went astray we just ended up just putting ourselves under needless pressure, chasing the ball back and making things harder than they needed to be.
www.fingalravens.ie
Fingal Ravens 7-4 Trinity Gaels 5-10
Fingal Ravens LFGC took on Trinity Gaels on he 5th August and it was another cracking GAA match. A typical Ravens never-say-die battling come-back performance that had everyone on the edge of their seat until the last kick of the ball. A draw was a fair result, but so soooo close.
More match photos on www.fingalravens.ie
Fingal Ravens 5-9 Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-6
Jack’s team back in action at last. Fingal Ravens u16s played a warm up against their neighbours Donaghmore Ashbourne, most of whom are schoolmates so the rivalry and banter was very funny to witness. Great way to get back into the swing of things before their Championship matches kick off on the 10th August.
More match photos at www.fingalravens.ie
Fingal Ravens 1-9 St Brigids 0-8
And we’re back in the game!
Seems like forever since I’ve watched a Fingal Ravens GAA match, but with the restrictions eased things are getting back to normal a bit. Jack’s under 16s have had a couple of practice matches under their belt, and now the Seniors have kicked off their GAA championship run with a hard fought win over St Brigids.
More match photos at www.fingalravens.ie
