On Wednesday the 30th of March 2011 Grange Community College pulled off a stunning comeback to become Dublin U-14 soccer champions. On a sunny Wednesday morning Grange U-14's took the short journey across the M50 to Tallaght. After settling into their superb surroundings they took to the pitch against the favorites for the competition St. Aidan's.
With a big travelling support there Grange looked nervous for the opening few minutes. Grange goalkeeper Jamie Coyne was called into action early and looked the coolest man on the pitch to keep the score at 0-0 for the first 10 minutes. With St. Aidan's Irish international pulling the strings in midfield it looked ominous for Grange. Then disaster struck: a speculative effort from St. Aidan's left midfielder sailed over Jamie Coyne's head and into the far corner of the Grange net.
For the next 5 minutes Grange heads dropped. It took some hard work and great runs from the likes of Stephen Larmon, Gary Connolly, Cillian McAuley and Gavin Carroll to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and lift the heads of their teammates. Coming into halftime Grange looked more like the team they are and could've even went into the break level had McAuley not dragged a good effort wide.
At halftime Grange won this game. In the dressing room some constructive talking by each player and a willingness to leave everything on the pitch for each other exuded from the players. They were NOT leaving Shamrock Rovers stadium without a win. And within 5 minutes they got their reward. After a great build up and a super ball by Stephen Larmon, Aaron Teeling made no mistake to pull Grange level.
Soon after Grange were in dreamland. After some tough tackling, a ball from Cillian McAuley was touched on by Gavin Carroll. It looked as if the ball was going into the keepers hands and there was no danger. Aaron Teeling had other ideas. He nicked the ball from the keepers fingertips, got it out from under his feet and under control and from a near impossible angle provided a great finish to the back of the St. Aidan's net to put Grange 2-1 up.
Much to their credit Grange kept their focus for the rest of the game and this was vital as St. Aidan's were not a team that were going to lie down and take their beating. It took some great goalkeeping from Jamie Coyne and some heroic defending from captain Vincent Healy, Mattie Hewitt and others to preserve Granges lead. And then approaching the final whistle Grange got the comfort they deserved when a tiring Cillian McAuley scored an excellent and well deserved goal. A long clearance upfield was latched onto by McAuley. Helped by a good run from Eoin Cullen he had a step on the defenders just inside the St. Aidan's half. A tired McAuley emptied the tank to keep the St. Aidan's defense at bay and finish expertly past the St. Aidan's keeper.
3-1. Game over. Grange defended well for the final few minutes of the match and joy at the final whistle when the Grange supporters, families and friends rushed onto the pitch to congratulate their team. Vincent Healy proudly accepted the cup on behalf of his heroic team from Irish international Jason Byrne capping a great day for the school.
The U-14 team and mentors Mr. Madden, Mr. Beere and Mr. Smyth would like to extend their most sincere thanks to the following without whom their victory would not be possible.
Firstly and most importantly Mr Costello, Ms Downes and all the teachers within the school. Without the support from all the teaching staff it would be very difficult to run sport within the school and each member of the team is very grateful for this. It is a credit to ALL the staff of the school that Grange Community College can compete as well as they are over numerous sporting codes.
A special thanks to Mr. Costello and Mr. Barnett for sourcing a new kit for the team in time for the final.
Ms. Darling for her help with the team in the run up to the game and the organisation of supporters to travel to the match.
Ms. Staunton for making the banner for the team.
The Art teachers for the face painting.
Ms. Parson's and Mr. Reilly for their expert photography.
John Joe Teeling and all the bus drivers we have had throughout the year.
And last but not least :
All the supporters: students, friends, parents, teachers and anyone that made their way to tallaght to offer their support.