The O’Toole’s U15 footballers travelled out to North County Dublin on
Tuesday night to play in the Championship Shield Final. They were up
against Fingal Ravens who had home advantage. As the players went through
their warm-up and pre-match preparation, the O’Toole’s support began to arrive
in great numbers to take up their position on the side-line. From a club
perspective, it was great to see the large numbers who had turned up in
support.

As the game began it was O’Toole’s who were setting the early pace.
However, through some

unlucky wides and some good goal keeping by the Ravens keeper, the game
remained close. A couple of fortuitous goals by Ravens, in the 1st half,
gave them a four-point lead at half time.

The lads re-grouped at half time and began the 2nd half like a team on a
mission. The deficit was reduced to 2 points, after a couple of O’Toole’s’
points, with O’Toole’s seemingly now in the ascent. It felt that if
O’Toole’s could have taken the lead at that point, they would have been in
a great position to go on and win the game. Again, through some wides and
some fine goalkeeping by the Ravens keeper, in one-on-one saves, it kept
Ravens in front and allowed them to grow in confidence. The O’Toole’s’ lads
gave it everything they had, and kept going to the final whistle,
unfortunately they could not overturn the deficit. The game finished in a
four-point win to Ravens.

A big thank you for hosting us and congratulation to Fingal Ravens on their
victory. Also, on the

behalf of the mentors, I would like to say a big thank you to all the
parents and supporters, for your help in preparing the lads throughout this
championship run.