A dreary cold day on Dublins northside for the first outing of the new
season versus Craobh Chiarain. Pre-match and the press pack on the sideline
are cautiously optimistic that this talented O’Tooles team can banish the
demons from last seasons championship final where Craobh delivered a
crushing defeat. We’re missing the footballer of the year but surely this
new squad is deep enough to cope.

Throw-in and Craobh start on the front foot. Point after point flow over
the O’Tooles bar as Craobh roar into a commanding lead. O’Tooles seem like
a lumbering beast that has just awoken from a long comfortable hibernation.
We’re second best all over the park. Goals follow the points, and the only
crumb of comfort at half time is a scrambled goal and a couple of points
from our starved forward line. The lads trudge off, heads bowed, silent.

We take a tentative step backwards as we know what’s coming…….the
Sheehy half time hair-dryer is unleashed. The lads recoil, will this tirade
awaken them from their slumber?…..we wonder. On they trudge for the
second half, wiping Rays spittle away with their shirt sleeves as they jog.

Throw in and O’Tooles win the ball and surge forward. All of a sudden
Craobh can’t escape their own half, they seem rattled, the juggernaut is
slowing. Some quick points followed by a couple of goals, and the
scoreboard is starting to look more respectable…we start to dream of a
comeback. However, as the light begins to fade so does our hope, as Craobh
eventually escape their shackles and snatch a late goal and a couple of
points.

The game ends, Craobh Chiarain well deserve their win but the boys in green
had come to life in the second half and finished the stronger. We leave the
park focussing on the positives and looking forward to the battle of
Clontarf next week.