"We started the year with our entry into a cup competition on the 25th of March, which was a great start for the lads, we fielded 27 different players over 2 tough losses to Maynooth and Celbridge. We knew we had lots to build on but these games would stand us for the league and championship.
In the league we won 4, lost 2 and drew 1. Standout games were our first game in the league which was against Clane and a solid win and performance was needed and we delivered on both. We had a point to prove in the second game against Leixlip who had knocked us out of the championship the year before and we made a bright start and kept the game in our hands, winning by a 2 goal margin. A tough loss against a very good and well organised Carbury was a bitter reminder of the hard work needed if we were to go any further. We hit great heights against a brilliant Allenwood team but our forwards were on fire with a 6-15 scoreline. With a few injuries we were relieved to have a bye in the last game and we made it to a semi final, but unfortunately fell short against Maynooth.
And then it was championship time and what a championship we were to have. We had a relatively easy start with a 5-17 to 2-7 win over Sarsfields. A comprehensive win over Carbury after the league defeat earlier in the year was a highlight on our route to the final. A terrible first half against another spirited Allenwood performance gave us a good run for our money and was the challenge we needed to test our resolve. A win only became a reality through a second half to be proud of which assured us of a top spot, home advantage and got us into a semi against Eadestown. In the semi final Eadestown tore ahead but our lads held their composure and chiselled away at the lead in a very disciplined performance and earned us a place in the final against Naas.
The final, a game for the ages with more ups than downs for us thank God. Any neutral in Hawkfield enjoyed it but for anyone on the line it was heart stopping action. Nervous as we were, we were not as bad as the scoreline ran to with Naas hitting a fortuitous goal and after Naas goalkeeper saving our penalty you'd think it wasn't going to be our night. Our own just rewards arrived through a Luke Ennis goal and a boomer of a point from the ever young Eoin O'Donoghue. The end of the first half brought us into the dressing room with a bounce in our step and the shackles of nervousness were off. The second half brought more action and top scores from Glen Doran, Captain Sean Holton, Daniel Farrell as well as a top class penalty save from Tom McDonnell. What more could you ask for? How about 7 points from Kelvin 'Kez' McNally on top of his high fielding it was inspiring stuff from the lads. You could be thinking it was our attacking that won the game but that would be a mistake with Ciaran Carey and Mark O'Hara doing massive man marking jobs on their men who only managed 1 point a piece as well as Kieran Ryan laying down the law with some big hits. This was a team result, no two ways about it, everyone behind the wheel and everyone of the 30 on the panel deserved the win.
To everyone who helped throughout the year and to all the supporters a very special thank you from Damien, Declan, Paul and the lads."
Damien Murray
