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Full spectrum of football skills on show at St. Peregrine’s

Erin’s Isle of Finglas were the visitors to St.Peregrine’s recently when they took on the under-9 squad of St. Peregrines on a cold, but dry, spring morning. The large squads of both sides were divided into two groups as parallel pitches were set up to facilitate two forty minute matches being played at the same time.

The emphasis at this level on developing the basic skills of gaelic football means that three points are awarded for a score over the bar, while a score under the bar earns one point for a team.

A ‘skill’ point is also awarded for a successful defensive block. Players in both matches displayed the gaelic football skills they have learnt and practiced during their training sessions to great effect. Some of the scores, blocks and catches made by players on both sides were of the highest standard.

In the first match, the attack-minded Erin’s Isle scored an early three points with an impressive kick. Only a strong defensive performance from St. Peregrines kept Erin’s Isle to three scores in the opening ten minutes and a skill point was picked up by the home side for an excellent defensive block.

The quality of the visiting side shone through towards the end of the first half however, as a brace of scores put some distance between the two sides. St. Peregrines fought back bravely in the second half and reduced the deficit with some well taken scores of their own. The Finglas side proved to be a difficult test for St. Peregrines and were worthy winners on the day.

The second game between the two clubs was a closely fought affair. In keeping with the match being played adjacent to this one, the visiting side started strongly with an early scoring attack. St. Peregrines displayed a defensive grit which frustrated the Isle’s attacks and kept them to eight points in the first half.

A well taken three points by the home side gave St. Peregrines a five point gap to bridge at half time. The home side were desperately unlucky to see two fine shots hit the post in the first half and they could easily have been one point to the good a half time. A superb comeback performance by St. Peregrines in the second half saw the Erin’s Isle lead cut to just one point.

Only good fortune saved the visitor’s lead as the post was struck again before the final whistle sounded.

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