On Saturday May 27^th, the Mayfield Fé11 football team made the short journey to a wet and windy Tank Field to take part in the qualifying round of the John Kerins Memorial Shield Football Tournament. The opposition on the day were Brian Dillon’s, Whitechurch and Blarney, with each team to play against each other.The top two teams from the group would qualify to the semi-finals which were to be held in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday, June 17^th. Mayfield suffered a blow before the start, losing influential full-forward Brian Cassin through injury, but this only served to drive the team on further.

The mood in the camp leading up to throw-in was very positive and the boys started the tournament against Whitechurch, who were always going to be tough opposition. Whitechurch got off to a great start and got into an early lead and it took an Eoin Murphy goal for Mayfield to settle our lads down. With time almost up, a draw looked on the cards, until Conor O’ Mahony chased what seemed like a lost cause deep in to the opposition half and managed to win a free from the Whitechurch defence. Showing no nerves, up stepped Oran Ross to slot the winning point over the bar to give Mayfield the perfect start to the day.

The boys moved on to their next game against Blarney knowing that they needed to improve. Blarney started well and only for a great save by Mayfield goalkeeper Cian Lane would have found themselves in front.From that point on however Mayfield took over with a couple of goals from Jordan Galvin and the result was never in doubt following some fine displays from Cormac O’Connor at full forward and the midfield combo of Darragh O’Donovan and Adam O’Halloran. The boys were well and truly in their stride with two wins from two. Last up on the day were local rivals Brian Dillon’s who put up a gallant effort but just could not contain Calvin O’Donovan, Jake Bones and Devon Gibson who each had a fine game on the day. For the third year in a row, Mayfield had qualified for the semi-final stage in Páirc Uí Rinn with Darragh O’Donovan, Calvin O’Donovan and Oran Ross all involved each year! In 2015. the boys lost at the semi-final stage and in 2016 they were beaten in the final. Could this be Mayfield’s year to go one step further?

The weeks leading up to the semi final were full of excitement with Páirc Uí Rinn on everyone’s lips. There was further good news with the return of Evan Costello to the squad. Fé11 sponsor O’Hare’s Mace of Mayfield came on board to wish the team well and to keep them fed and hydrated, with full-back Luke Malone travelling to the shop to get a photo taken with Store Manager Konrad. Huge thanks to Niamh McDonagh for organising! Everything was set; coaches Clive O’Donovan, Jamie O’ Donovan, Mark Ross and Joe Hegarty had the boys primed and raring to go.

The day of the semi-final arrived. Our opposition was Shamrocks, who had beaten Mayfield in the final the previous year. However, there was to be no repeat this time around. Conor Mullane was the standout player in this one as he put in a huge effort at half-forward. Other performances to note were Calvin O’ Donovan, Oran Ross, Evan Costello, Ryan Harrington and Adam O’ Halloran. Shamrocks put in a huge effort but our lads were not to be denied. For the second year in a row, Mayfield had reached the final!

Team Captain Eoin Sharkey led the team around Páirc Uí Rinn behind the Ballyphehane Pipe Band for the pre-match parade. Our opponents in the final were a big, physical Crosshaven team. However, the coaches did their homework and the Crosshaven threat was quickly nullified. With Calvin and Oran creating the space for scores up front ably assisted by Conor Mullane, Cormac O’Connor, Evan Costello and Ryan Harrington, Mayfield began to pull away. With Darragh O’ Donovan’s strength and determination along with Devon Gibson’s guile, Mayfield were in full control of midfield. Just after Conor O’ Mahony put over the final point of the day, joyous scenes greeted the final whistle. Mayfield had done it!! Special mention must go however to the back line who were terrific throughout the whole tournament, in particular goalkeepers Cian Lane and Adam O’Halloran, and defenders Luke Foley, Luke Malone, Cian O' Driscoll and Team Captain Eoin Sharkey. John Kerins himself would have been proud of the display these lads put in, never giving their opponents an inch of space.

On a sweltering hot day we had Fé12 players Michael Lane, Conor McDonagh, Ronan O’Keefe and Aaron Hegarty running the line to make sure water was available to all the players throughout. Huge thanks to the lads for this. Finally, the moment had arrived for Eoin Sharkey to introduce the team to the Kerins family and to Lord Mayor Tony Fitzgerald who presented the boys with their winners medals. To great cheers from the Mayfield players and supporters the Shield was lifted in victory before making it’s way to Kerry Road. Huge thanks to Susan Teegan for opening the Clubhouse early on Saturday to allow the celebrations continue where the boys were treated to a well earned pizza and chips.

Thanks to everyone involved and those who supported. The day will live long in the memories of all of the boys, who emulated their heroes from last years Junior Hurling Team to win THEIR ALL IRELAND FINAL!