The North Leinster Giants made our debut today in the first Jeep ARFLI Super 9s carnival of the year. The Giants were heavily undermanned in Terenure with stalwarts such as Sean Fallon, Martin Fitzpatrick and Derek Gilbert missing for work reasons and our Scandinavian contingent at home.
Nonetheless the early signs were positive as for the second week in a row we faced a determined Belfast Redbacks side. The Giants were ultra competitive for the first half with Tom Cleary, Pat Leavy and Phil Burke working well off Ross Dack in the ruck to create several untaken opportunities. When a goal came, it was Fergal Condron who delivered, making history to become the first ever Giants goalscorer. The Giants lead by a point at the break, but it was to be the high point of the day. In the second half the Redbacks had their scoring boots on and ran out deserved winners.
In the days second game, the Giants were caught cold having had a half hour break between games and the Midwest Magpies were in no mood for charity. From six shots in the first half, all delivered majors, while once again the Giants were kicking only behinds. Injury to Phil Burke upset the structures in the second half and the Pies added several more goals to run out comfortable winners.
The defeat against the Pies left us playing the Dublin Demons for fifth, but by this stage, tired legs and the lack of an interchange told. Again we could only deliver behinds for points and the Demon took all of their opportunities with John Enright pulling the strings for them.
A big thanks is due to all who attended and played, to Gail for keeping the scores and to the Swans for organising a great carnival.
Giant of The Day: Duster, outstanding all day whether in the backs or the mids. Notable mentions, Tom Cleary and Pat Leavy.
Karma King: Header, for denying the Redbacks a goal by claiming he touched it while also flattening Ninga. Where’s the Karma? Clean through on goal with a ball coming over the top, he got his just rewards when the bounce put the ball twenty feet back over him rather than back into his hands.
History Maker: Fergal Condron for getting our first goal as a Giant.
Hard As: Phil for constantly putting his body on the line, to the extent that he eventually had to retire injured. Notable mentions, Tones, I wouldn’t like to get hit by him.
