Its been a very busy few months on the pitches, courts and parks and we have a lot to report in this our 3rd edition of Setanta Sports News. Thanks, as always to our contributors from the sports council. They have been an excellent help to the coaches in preparing for the games and their reports are fantastic to read. Well done all. They are pictured below in their new Sports council half zip tops which arrived this month.
1st year Boys football
League vs Coláiste Choilm
On the 11th of November the first-year boys had their junior cup match. During the match there were some great tackles made and Charlie from Rang Deirdre did a great job clearing the ball away from the goals which helped the team as it got the ball up to the strikers giving them chances to score. Josiah from Rang Tristan was the first and the only goal scorer from Setanta. He did an amazing job all throughout the match and was very quick on his feet. Enzo got a ball to the face but that didn’t stop him from doing his best in the match as he set up the ball for Josiah getting their first goal. All the boys made an excellent effort during the match but sadly had a defeat of 5-1.
Matas Maniusis
League vs Coolmine
Kick off at Leixlip Astro at 1:00pm and Setanta faced a tough opponent in Coolmine CC. With the wind blowing hard it would take a valiant effort from the Setanta boys to get a result. The game got off to a poor start for our boys going 1-0 down inside 10 mins but we continued to dominate possession but failed to find a killer pass throughout the first half.
The second half began with the Setanta boys still down by 1 goal to 0. Defensively our team was solid but as the game progressed, we started to see more opportunities arise with our central midfielder Tadgh Murphy being the catalyst of the midfield. Finally, Setanta broke through with a goal coming with not much time to go from Ivan Graminschi. In the dying seconds of the game Coolmine broke through and got a winner resulting in a heart-breaking loss for our boys
Thanks to our managers Mr O’ Reilly and Mr Lopez for the game.
By Ryan Pidgeon
Cup vs CBS Lucan
Kick off for the First-year boys soccer match In CBS Lucan was at 1:30 and the lads were playing in the last 16 of the shield. With the added pressure of a heavy CBS crowd the Setanta boys knew they needed to put in a big effort to come out victorious. Inside 10 minutes the CBS team got off to a lucky start scoring from a deflection off a free kick and then making it 2-0 a few minutes later. After a good dribble through from Josiah Sodunke he dished it off for Jake Keogh to slot it home on the keepers far post. CBS then scored a sublime free kick which sent it to 3-1 at half time
At the start of the second half the boys got off to a fast yet unlucky start with a great effort being cleared off the line. Then CBS broke through after a confusion regarding a foul and made it 4-1. Setanta then started to gain momentum with an own goal and it was followed no more than 2 minutes later by another own goal. The lads were striving to get the win and with less than 5 minutes to go captain Tadgh Murphy broke through and made it 4-4. The boys were determined to get the win, but they would have to try in extra time. This time proved not enough to break the deadlock. The game went to penalties where anything can happen. Unfortunately, the lads last out by four goals to three, but the boys weren’t disheartened by the defeat and rightly so. All the lads got credit off everyone watching the game as they did their school proud.
Thanks very much to Mr O Reilly and Mr Lopez for their help with the team
By Ryan Pidgeon
GAA
Junior Girls Gaelic
On a day with miserable weather the Junior Girls came out fighting strong. With a strong breeze in the first half the girls kept St Mary’s scoreless due to some tireless work in the defence. With great work around the middle from the Murphy sisters they kept the score board ticking over. The start of the second half got off to a shaky start with St Marys beginning to make their way back in to the game but with good defence work from Setanta causing the other team to over carry the ball and blocking their shots the Setanta girls managed to keep them at bay. With a few more scores towards the end of the game Setanta ran out worthy winners.
Aoife O’ Sullivan
Senior Camogie
The girl’s senior camogie team played their final against the Loretto on Monday 27th January. They unfortunately came up second but that doesn't take away the amazing performance they have had throughout the season. It was the final game for three sixth years who will be greatly missed next year. Amy Carroll scored a fantastic goal in the second half giving Setanta their first of the game. Our Captain, Niamh Maher scored a brilliant point from a free in her last game in the Setanta colours. A big thank you to Ms O’Donovan and Ms Confrey for coaching the team throughout the season. Well done to all the girls, who played their heart out right until the end.
Kellie Mae Murphy
Senior Boys Gaelic Football
This was a very important match for the Setanta boys, it was a quarter final. it was played in Tom Russel Park and was a great match to watch. the score was 3-8 2-1 to Setanta. Jake Lyons scored the first point of the game. Conor Pownall scored an amazing goal and at the other end of the pitch Sam McGrath made two unbelievable saves. near the end of the game there was a harsh red card for Leo Howard. Onto the semi-finals now for the Setanta lads.
Conor Colvin
Boys Basketball
League vs Coolmine
On Friday 17th January, Setanta’s 1st Years had a home match against Coolmine 1st Years.
In the first quarter, Setanta were playing with great pride and power with both centres working together winning 9 points for the team.
In the second quarter, our point guard played perfectly scoring all the points, he scored 2 from inside the arc and 1 from outside.
In the third quarter our boys continued to widen the gap.
In the last quarter, knowing that they had to maintain the lead, our boys continued the pressure, both scoring, defending and running the time down, Coolmine however showed great power and pressure in comparison with the previous quarter, and in this quarter they managed to closed the gap slightly.
The game ended 32 – 25 to Setanta.
Setanta’s 2nd Years followed this match with a great performance. It was an exciting match with both teams scoring regularly.
In the first quarter, both teams started very well and it was set to be a tight match.
In the second quarter our boys managed to create a large point gap, they scored 12 points to Coolmines 5 points. Points came from everyone on the court in a great team performance.
In the third quarter, Setanta continued to enlarge the gap, they officially were in their stride and had no sign of stopping.
In the last quarter, to maintain the lead, Mr. Downey played fresh legs sealing a comfortable and well-deserved victory.
Juan Pablo Mendoza
League vs St. Fintan’s
On Monday 3rd February, our A league first years played St. Fintan’s high school.
This was a must win game if they wanted to stay in the competition As the first quarter hit the mid-way point Vaughn got another lay up making it 6-1 to Setanta. With 5 seconds left on the clock Thomas scored a great lay up to finish the quarter.
As the second quarter commenced David got a great steal. Robert Kenny knocked down a three pointer, but Fintan’s replied straight away. St. Fintan’s were still fighting though, number 13 especially who looked very strong and dangerous on attack. First half ended 20-5 to Setanta. In the third quarter St. Fintan’s immediately got a foul scoring both free throws. This was a very exciting quarter, with both teams racking up a lot of points. The game ended 34-21 to Setanta in what was an impressive win.
Setanta 2nd years played St. Fintan’s on the same day. In the first quarter both teams were on fire. It truly was end to end stuff with both getting points on the board. Setanta got the first points with a speedy reply from St. Fintan’s. Clifton made a great block leading to David scoring a layup for two points. The quarter ended with Vaughn giving a very nice pass to assist a layup. The second quarter began 16-7 to Setanta. Hasan scored a very nice layup to add to the lead. Setanta won every rebound this quarter and this was complimented by an unbelievable half court pass from Geoffrey to assist Hasan for another layup. The score in the third quarter is 37-14 for Setanta and after a hectic fourth quarter in which Vaughn scored a lot of points the game ended 50-30 in favour of Setanta.
Conor Colvin
On the previous Thursday, the 1st year team had an away game against Castleknock College. The game started fast with Setanta scoring the first points of the 1st quarter. They managed to keep the opposition at arm’s length and as the 4th quarter began Setanta were up 21 to 15 and with a lot of perseverance and good defensive plays they won the game 31 to 15. A well-deserved win.
Conor Colvin
League vs Portmarnock
On the 15th of January 2020 the second-year boys basketball team played against Portmarnock in the Setanta hall in the C league. It was an intense match as the teams were very much even but Setanta lead the whole way through the game. Even though it was the first match for a few players, everyone gave it their all resulting in a 4-point win for Setanta at the end.
Ray Foysal
Girls Basketball
League vs Loreto
The 1st and 2nd year girls started this year’s season off with a bang, both teams with a comfortable win over Loreto Beaufort. The first years with their first ever game in a Setanta jersey represented us well with a score of 40 – 19. Daisy and Katie Russell with joint woman of the match for their fantastic scoring ability with 22 points between them. Margareta De Pointe and Emma Fay took home joint woman of the match for the second years with their solid defensive plays and unreal scores throughout the game. The Setanta girls are going to be a tough side to beat his season and we are contenders to have championship winning teams if the girls can continue to work and train hard.
League vs Malahide
The first and second year girls both had great wins on Wednesday 29th the add to their winning streak . The first years had their most competitive match yet winning by a last second buzzer beater. Katie Russell made an amazing steal and assist to her teammate Val who scored the winning basket, with a final score of 23-21. The second years were no match for the Malahide side taking the win with ease. Woman of the match for first years is Val and Katie Murphy takes WOTM for the second years.
Kellie Mae Murphy
Athletics
West Leinster Cross Country – Phoenix Park
Our Cross-Country students enjoyed a great day at the West Leinster Cross Country on a cold but dry Thursday in January. We had runners in all, but one category and all our students ran their best in lovely conditions. Notable mention must go to our 2nd year girls’ team who all finished in the top 50 out of a field of over 200 and to Erika Garkule, 6th Year who came 19th overall in the Senior girl’s category. Well done to all runners. That ends the cross-country season for this year.
Leinster Indoor 1st and 2nd year – Abbotstown
6th of February at the NIA a 1st and 2nd year athletics competition took place and the students were able to watch the Irish rugby team arrive for training before their game against Wales. Although I think the teachers were more excited about this than the students!
All the first years competed in the shot put and a 60m sprint, while the 2nd competed in the long jump and a 200m sprint. There were also relay races for 1st years, both girls and boys and the same for 2nd years. We had some great results from the relays. All the relays were very tense, and the 2nd year girls came 2nd in their relay race. Ray in Rang Nessa came 2nd
in the boys 2nd year long jump coming home with a silver medal, while Kene Chukwu, also in Rang Nessa wasn't far off from Ray coming 4th place in the 2nd year long jump. Everybody put in an excellent performance in their events!
Grace Iurascu
