| SOUTH DUBLIN SWANS 2006 PREMIERS - Final - 9th September 2006 |
On Saturday the 9th of September the South Dublin Swans travelled into the Irish midlands into Kilkenny to take on the Cork Leeside Lions in the ARFLI 2006 Grand Final.
At the first bounce both teams came out firing and on the bigger Kilkenny Ground there was plenty of room to move. Cork came out firing as they usually do and with great pace took the ball from the first bounce and put one through the sticks. The rest of the first quarter proved to be fairly scrappy as both teams fought to control the nerves and find a steady rhythm. The Swans were kicking with a huge breeze but failed to capitalise finishing the quarter ahead but with more points than goals.
Early in the second quarter the Lions came back hard and kicked two quick goals putting the Swans under pressure. Now fighting back into the breeze the swans looked to keep control of the ball but were unable to find the breakthrough they needed to get on top. Halfway through the second quarter Ben 'I want this final' Fitzsimmons sixth sense began to tick and changes were made. Moving off the ball the pres headed to the forward flank. Wes took a spell at full forward and the coach went onto the ball. Instantly the tide turned, Fitzy combined brilliantly with ruckmen Ciggies out of the middle and sent clearance after clearance down to the forward line giving the boys plenty of shots at goal. Still a little inaccurate into the wind the Swans went into the half time break up by three goals. But confidence was starting to flow.
The third quarter is where the Swans made their mark, coming out after the half time break the Swans were kicking down the ground with a decent breeze and before forwards Wes, Tugger and Adam even had time to lead out of the square goals began raining down from everywhere. Majors were put on the board by Oakesy, Dom, The Brainchild (woodsy), Wes , Fitzy and Sean.
As the forwards began to score the backline were solid keeping any attempt at a Lions comeback under wraps. Fresh legs from Fast Eddy Warran and Joe 'Boyo' Kirby helped to fight the Cork running game. Huge commitment was given by hard man Helzi and another fantastic effort from Martin 'the Beard' Ryan at fullback. Sleepy Simon Cattely the pocket rocket showed his worth by riding some big bumps and holding a great mark. Sean also terrorised the opposition floating across half back marking strongly. Before we new it the siren had gone and the Swans were up by eight goals.
In the Last quarter the boys just kept going kicking another three unanswered goals. Wes capped off a stella day with some big marks. Big Kev Deely was everywhere setting up play and spoiling well. Great positioning from Jase and Kerry man John each earned them a major in the last. At the final siren the Swans had taken out a massive victory winning the flag 16.14.110 to 5.5.35.
Highlights: The pres Mick 'oakesy' Oakes went up for his first speky ever, made the sit keeping his eye on the ball (literally) as it went straight through his hands and into his face (what a clown). The Swans ruckmen Ciggies killed in middle all day winning tap after tap and assisting the clearances. The coach had a productive day kicking six including a cracker from the left pocket. Steven 'Wes' Fellows took the day's individual honours securing the Best on ground award and taking a ton of marks (most contested). Adam 'Steam Train' Helner was hard at it all day laying bumps everywhere, also managed to produce a sneaky bit of the previous nights dinner near the three quarter time huddle. Bryce ran well all day up and down the wing and fair play to Damo striding out with a broken finger. Brent 'the Ox' Morrison took some great contested marks up forward but was unlucky to miss to the right.
A massive thanks to Nigel, John M, Jimmy and Neil the boys who couldn’t be on the pitch on the day but were there to help the team out and also played a massive part in getting the team into the Final, couldn't have done it without them. A special thanks goes out to all the supporters who came down during the year and on the day to cheer the boys on. Stay tuned for next year as we try to do it again.
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