Sunday April 24th will be a day like no other for many U13 youths. It will be the culmination of a season of firsts for the players. U13 is when you start playing 15 a side on full sized pitch. It is your first time in area and provincial competition.
There will be 12 teams competing in six Bank of Ireland League finals this Sunday in Donnybrook.
By hosting the event in the stadium, Leinster Youths Committee are creating a field of dreams for these young players. Playing the final in Donnybrook will be the driver for success in the following season.
The games played will be in the U13 Youths (Saturday leagues) and the U13 Schools / Youths (Sunday leagues) tournaments.
First games kick-off at 1:30pm and on pitch one will be the Bank of Ireland U13 Sunday Section B Final with Coolmine A against Seapoint A. Pitch two hosts the Bank of Ireland U13 Sunday Section C Final where Old Belvedere B take on Terenure B.
The Bank of Ireland U13 Saturday Division 2 Final is an all Kildare affair with Cill Dara taking on Clane in a local derby on pitch two at 3.10pm. At the same time the Bank of Ireland U13 Saturday Premier League Final sees Athy play Gorey which will be played on pitch one.
The last games kickoff at 4:50pm and on pitch two in the Bank of Ireland U13 Sunday Section D Final has North Meath taking on Suttonians. On pitch 1 in the Bank of IrelandU13 Sunday Section A Final Clontarf A will play Terenure A.
Speaking about their place in the finals Rob Tubritt coach from Gorey said “This is the first encounter between these two sets of players at any age grade. It also features two teams with unbeaten records, for the 2015 / 2016 season, going head to head. To be doing so now, in a Premier Leinster League Final in Donnybrook, brings added spice to the occasion – if any extra were required. Congratulations to Athy on making it to this Final as we know the effort and commitment required from players, their parents and coaches to get to this stage.”
Horace Downey and Nigel Kelly the joint head coaches of Athy U13 are similarly delighted with their place in the finals and acknowledge the work of fellow coaches Kevin Connolly Richard Maloney Noel Cross. “It has been a fantastic season and that would not have been possible without the full cooperation and help of the parents of our players and a full support we got from a youth Coordinator and our director of rugby and our club President”. When it comes to the games though, Horace and Nigel say it is due to hard work all season “we have to thank all our players for their hard work in training and in games. And I know we have a hell of a lot of fun and enjoyment right through the season”.
Entrance to Donnybrook is €;5 and we wish the best of luck to all players and supporters on the day.
