It was a packed weekend of football for the club, with teams from U8 right up to Youth level in action (or at least scheduled to be!). Saturday brought a full programme of games, with a standout performance from the U13 Clarets, while Sunday's fixtures were heavily disrupted after torrential rain on Saturday night left several pitches waterlogged. Here's how all our teams got on.
SATURDAY
U9 – Glebe North (Away)
Our U9s got the weekend underway with a trip to Glebe North. The focus at this age is on development and enjoyment, and the players certainly delivered on the latter, with plenty of effort, smiles and good football on show throughout an enjoyable game.
Our U9s got the weekend underway with a trip to Glebe North. The focus at this age is on development and enjoyment, and the players certainly delivered on the latter, with plenty of effort, smiles and good football on show throughout an enjoyable game.
U10 – Artane Beaumont (Away)
The U10s faced a tough test away to Artane Beaumont in what turned out to be a competitive, end-to-end encounter. The players showed great commitment against a good side and can take plenty of positives from the morning.
The U10s faced a tough test away to Artane Beaumont in what turned out to be a competitive, end-to-end encounter. The players showed great commitment against a good side and can take plenty of positives from the morning.
U11 – Phoenix (Home)
The U11s were back on home turf as they welcomed Phoenix to Marley's Lane. It was great to see a good crowd of parents and supporters out to cheer the team on.
The U11s were back on home turf as they welcomed Phoenix to Marley's Lane. It was great to see a good crowd of parents and supporters out to cheer the team on.
U12 Claret 0-2 Firhouse Carmel (Home)
It was a disappointing afternoon at home for the U12 Clarets, who fell to a 2-0 defeat against Firhouse Carmel. Despite their efforts, the team couldn't find the breakthrough on the day. They'll be looking to regroup at training this week and bounce back in their next outing.
It was a disappointing afternoon at home for the U12 Clarets, who fell to a 2-0 defeat against Firhouse Carmel. Despite their efforts, the team couldn't find the breakthrough on the day. They'll be looking to regroup at training this week and bounce back in their next outing.
Beechwood 2-7 U13 Claret (Away)
The result of the weekend belonged to the U13 Clarets, who produced their biggest win of the season so far with a brilliant 7-2 victory away to Beechwood. The team were clinical in front of goal and played with real confidence from start to finish. A performance like this is a huge reward for the hard work the players and coaches have been putting in, and it will give the squad a great lift heading into the coming weeks. Congratulations to all involved!
The result of the weekend belonged to the U13 Clarets, who produced their biggest win of the season so far with a brilliant 7-2 victory away to Beechwood. The team were clinical in front of goal and played with real confidence from start to finish. A performance like this is a huge reward for the hard work the players and coaches have been putting in, and it will give the squad a great lift heading into the coming weeks. Congratulations to all involved!
U14 Claret – Cherry Orchard (Home Friendly)
With their league fixture postponed, the U14 Clarets didn't let the weekend go to waste. They hosted Cherry Orchard in a friendly, giving the squad valuable minutes and a chance to keep sharp ahead of their next competitive game. Thanks to Cherry Orchard for making the trip.
With their league fixture postponed, the U14 Clarets didn't let the weekend go to waste. They hosted Cherry Orchard in a friendly, giving the squad valuable minutes and a chance to keep sharp ahead of their next competitive game. Thanks to Cherry Orchard for making the trip.
Killester Donacarney 5-1 U15 Claret (Away)
The U15 Clarets had a difficult day on the road, coming out on the wrong side of a 5-1 scoreline against Killester Donacarney. It's a tough result to take, but the squad have shown before that they have the character to respond, and they'll be determined to put things right next time out.
The U15 Clarets had a difficult day on the road, coming out on the wrong side of a 5-1 scoreline against Killester Donacarney. It's a tough result to take, but the squad have shown before that they have the character to respond, and they'll be determined to put things right next time out.
SUNDAY
Heavy rain overnight on Saturday wreaked havoc with the Sunday schedule, with several games falling victim to the weather or other circumstances. Credit to all the teams, coaches and parents who travelled and played in challenging conditions.
U8 – Lusk (Called Off)
The U8s were disappointed to miss out on their game against Lusk, which was called off after the visitors were unable to travel. The young players will be eager to get back out there next weekend.
The U8s were disappointed to miss out on their game against Lusk, which was called off after the visitors were unable to travel. The young players will be eager to get back out there next weekend.
U11 Girls – Granada (Away)
Our U11 Girls braved the elements as they travelled to Granada and took part in a fiercely competitive game in the pouring rain. The girls showed tremendous grit and determination in tough conditions and did the club proud with their attitude and effort.
Our U11 Girls braved the elements as they travelled to Granada and took part in a fiercely competitive game in the pouring rain. The girls showed tremendous grit and determination in tough conditions and did the club proud with their attitude and effort.
U12 Blue – Glasnevin (Called Off)
The U12 Blues' fixture against Glasnevin was called off, so the team will have to wait a little longer to get back into action.
The U12 Blues' fixture against Glasnevin was called off, so the team will have to wait a little longer to get back into action.
St Maelruans 2-1 U13 Blue (Away)
The U13 Blues were unlucky to come away empty-handed after a spirited display away to St Maelruans, going down by the narrowest of margins, 2-1. The team battled hard throughout and were right in the contest until the final whistle. On another day, a performance like that could easily have earned something from the game.
U14 Girls vs Dalkey (Away)
An emphatic victory for our u14 vs Dalkey who came away with an 11-1 victory after their trip to Hyde Park. The depth of the squad was shown with eight different goalscorers on the day.
The U13 Blues were unlucky to come away empty-handed after a spirited display away to St Maelruans, going down by the narrowest of margins, 2-1. The team battled hard throughout and were right in the contest until the final whistle. On another day, a performance like that could easily have earned something from the game.
U14 Girls vs Dalkey (Away)
An emphatic victory for our u14 vs Dalkey who came away with an 11-1 victory after their trip to Hyde Park. The depth of the squad was shown with eight different goalscorers on the day.
U14 Blue – Mount Merrion (Abandoned – Pitch Unplayable)
The U14 Blues made the journey to Mount Merrion, only for the referee to rule the pitch unplayable following the overnight downpour. A frustrating morning for the players, but player safety must always come first.
The U14 Blues made the journey to Mount Merrion, only for the referee to rule the pitch unplayable following the overnight downpour. A frustrating morning for the players, but player safety must always come first.
U15 Blue 0-2 Killegland (Home)
The U15 Blues welcomed Killegland to Marley's Lane but were beaten 2-0 in a hard-fought contest. The team will take the lessons from the game into training this week.
The U15 Blues welcomed Killegland to Marley's Lane but were beaten 2-0 in a hard-fought contest. The team will take the lessons from the game into training this week.
Cherry Orchard 5-1 U16 Claret
It was a tough afternoon for the U16 Clarets, who were beaten 5-1 by a strong Cherry Orchard side. Days like this are part of the game, and the squad will be looking to bounce back quickly at training this week.
It was a tough afternoon for the U16 Clarets, who were beaten 5-1 by a strong Cherry Orchard side. Days like this are part of the game, and the squad will be looking to bounce back quickly at training this week.
Youth Girls – Castleknock Celtic (Walkover)
Our Youth Girls were awarded a walkover after Castleknock Celtic were unable to field a team. While the girls would have preferred to play, the points go their way.
Our Youth Girls were awarded a walkover after Castleknock Celtic were unable to field a team. While the girls would have preferred to play, the points go their way.
A BIG THANK YOU
As always, a huge thank you to all our coaches, managers, parents and volunteers who give up their weekends to make all of this possible, especially those who were out early on Sunday checking pitches and making calls in tough conditions. Thanks also to the referees and to all the visiting clubs who travelled to Marley's Lane.
Keep an eye on our social media channels for next weekend's fixtures. Up the Clarets and Blues!
