While most of the attention was on the Minor Football Final this past weekend, it wasn't the only show in town.

Our mighty U12 Footballers had 2 teams contesting the Kildare North Board Division 1 AND Division 3 finals.

While our Division 3 team despite their heroic efforts lost out to a very strong Blessington team, our Division 1 team overcame favourites Maynooth in a thriller. It was a fantastic achievement to get both teams to their respective finals and great credit is due to the management and players, and indeed the parents for all their support.

Match Report

Clane took on Maynooth in Hawkfield on Pitch No.1 last Saturday morning on a cold rainy day. While most of the country had eyes on the rugby match in Japan, these boys only had one thing on their mind.... winning the championship!

Clane won the toss and played with the wind knowing that they would need to get a quick start and take all of the chances that came their way as Maynooth have such a strong team/panel as evidenced in the league game barely a month ago, where Clane albeit missing a few lads were beaten by 12 points in Maynooth .

Clane regrouped and a with a few tweaks and tactical adjustments were ready for the Maynooth challenge. The Clane backs were in a mean mood. Brave net minder Evan Dunne was in fine form saving many a goal bound shot and finding a Clane player with every quick kick out, Finn Doyle and Sam Kirwan mopped up many the attack in our full back line, and our half backs with Joseph Finn playing his best game in the white jersey keeping one of the danger men very quiet and Jamie McCormack likewise stopping attack after attack. In midfield Jack Grealish covered every blade of grass on the pitch and was non stop up and down the field setting up attacks for our boys while stopping Maynooth in their tracks, Sean McGinn was phenomenal as always. Marking a player that controls most games for Maynooth, Sean did his job very well and and also did great work going forward.

Half forwards, Neil Vizzard and Robert Lynch made it very hard for the Maynooth half backs to deliver clean ball or make any headway towards the Clane goal, they also set up numerous scores with intelligent football and both players had a super game. Full forwards Oisín Coll has improved a lot this year and is always good for a goal or 2 and last Saturday was no different, while Tami eko Davis also played his best game ever on for Clane; his teacher is coach of the Maynooth team, but Tami had his homework done and gave it everything on the day also getting a few goals.

Subs: Harrison Smith came on and put in a big shift with loads of running and pace in the forwards, Samuel Farrell an honest player who gives everything on the field stopped many an attack, Charlie O'Neill half back worked ever so hard and Daragh McAneany came on and scored a delightful point with his accurate left foot.

At the final whistle the score board read Clane 4-11 to 2-5 Maynooth.

Afterwards it was back to the club house for a celebratory feed! Thanks to the Jason and all the staff at the Clubhouse Café and Bar for 'feeding and watering' the u12 panels and to the Parents for all their support throughout the years since u7s.

Next year will bring even more challenges, but with this bunch of mighty men, they will Enjoy it , Work and Learn even more, and continue to give everything for the Clane Jersey !!

#ClaonadhAbú

We have posted lots more photos from match on our Facebook page - click here.