FoxRock Cabinteely magnificent at 7s

  • Oct 01,2011

Foxrock-cabinteely win the All-ireland 7s senior shield
All Ireland Senior 7s tournament Naomh Mearnog Gaa Club Saturday September 24th 2011.


Hot on the heals from their narrow defeat to the Laois champions Sarsfields the previous Saturday, the Foxrock Cabinteely senior 7s squad set off bright and early for Portmarnock last Saturday morning, as the first group game was scheduled to throw in at 10.00 sharp.

Aodh Ruadh from Tyrone put it up to the girls from the off with sharp attacking football accompanied by robust but fair challenges. The Foxrock/Cabinteely girls eventually came out on top by 3 points. Up next was Carryduff from County Down at 11.45. This was a superb 7s outfit, and it was evident they had prepared well for this specialist competition. The southside club again came out on top by the narrowest of margins. Kilmovee Shamrocks from Mayo were next up at 1.30. While providing a very competitive game Foxrock won this one with a bit to spare due to the fact that the opposition were missing a couple of key players. Three wins from three without reaching the footballing heights they are known for. This was to change dramatically

The final group game at 3.15 turned out to be an intriguing encounter. Ballymacarbry of Waterford had also defeated the same three teams, but by wider winning margins, and were the clear favourites. The Dublin outfit had the bit between their teeth and rattled the Munster club from the off. It was end to end stuff. Breathtaking football and sheer determination. It was point for point and goal for goal. Foxrock went ahead by a point in the last minute only for Ballymacarbry to immediately reply with a goal from the next sequence of play. A goal was required from the heavens and Anne Marie Murphy was one on one with the goalkeeper with the second last play. However it was not to be and the shield semi final beckoned for the southsiders with Ballymacarbry topping the group and qualifying for the championship semi final.

Foxrock Cabinteely had to re group quickly. The semi final was to be against fellow Dublin senior club Naomh Mearnog. Both clubs have had a very close working relationship for many years but all games between the sides are competitive and close. This encountet was to be no different. Foxrock were 7 points to the good at half time but the second half onslought from Mearnog was intense and relentless. A crucial penalty conversion from Anne Marie Murphy towards the end gave the Fox Cabs a one point winning margin.

The final was intense and physical. St Brigids Roscommon were certainly in no mood to make up the numbers. They had serious intent written all over their faces. During the half time interval and with a four point advantage in the bag, the Foxrock Cabinteely winning mentality kicked in. No longer were they going to be the pretenders at senior level. The team talk was positive and delivered by the experienced players. The whole squad wanted this title and were determined not to leave it on the pitch . Sheer determination and football from the top drawer eventually delivered a 10 point winning margin. A first All Ireland title at senior level.

There were many heroes on the day but the panel as a whole delivered and brought the silverware home. The panel consisted of in no particular order.


Carol Manning, Ciara Murphy, Sinead Murphy, Nuala Mohan, Elaine Bolger, Sinead Goldrick, Amy Connolly, Niamh Collins, Sarah Brophy, Anne Marie Murphy, Emma McDonagh and Amy Ring.

Report - Imelda Callaghan

Pics courtesy of GAApics.com