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I find myself in position writing about a team that has endured quite a lot this season from start to finish. It has been a very unsettling season for all concerned this year. The management and squad began the season full of brim with Conor Walls and Shidaan Bismilla at the helm and a fresh confident squad of players only dying to get out on the pitch and play…and play they did winning their first game 3-2 against Lissadel United, followed by two losses and a draw, coupled with another few defeats before beating local rivals Ballycullen F.C 3-0.
This match was my first to have an input. Following the departure of Shidaan, I joined Conor as assistant, but unfortunately this coincided with a long lay off in fixtures lasting nearly two months due to unplayable pitches and a shortage of referees. This again we found difficult especially when trying to keep everybody committed and motivated. Training continued nonetheless throughout the winter up at the impressive (but windy) Rockbrook Park Secondary School astro park and it was during this time that Conor stepped down to concentrate on playing for the First XI.
The New Year began brightly with a good draw against Malahide before another lay off and a subsequent poor run of results. This was mainly due to the promotion of Saturday team players to the first XI and leaving us with a patchwork side which struggled against some of the more settled teams in the division. One bright point though was two hard fought, back to back games (a 1-0 defeat and a 2-2 draw) against our old adversaries Alpine Express.
As I said earlier the trend throughout the season has been stop and go which has been frustrating for both the players and myself. A team that plays together often will perform better week in week out, this (unlike some other teams in the league) we were unable to do.
It must be asked that for next season players show more commitment to the club and fellow players by training as a team on a regular basis. A greater desire and winning attitude will improve with disciplined training. Remember a fitter team makes a better team, it's a team game and individual players must learn to play the team game otherwise we will falter. We strongly need to pick ourselves up and with the addition of new quality players next season forge forward with a better-disciplined winning attitude.
I wish to conclude by thanking the players I've worked with, the committee, especially Ian Byrne, past manager Conor Walls and Ian Clarke for stepping in as my assistant of late. Thanks to one and all, I hope you have a welcome break and look forward to seeing you next season. Remember, that if you know someone who plays football we would welcome them to training.
Peter J. O'Byrne
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