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This weekend saw our Seniors take to the Pool in the NAC to compete for the Irish Senior Cup. Unfortunately it was not to be for the lads as the succumbed to eventual Runners Up, Cathal Brugha in the Semi-Finals.

 

2018 saw the lads take to the ISC in fine fettle looking to defend the crown they won in 2017. However, it all ended in disappointment as they failed to reach the Semi-Finals having lost to Cathal Brugha and Half Moon in the Group phase. That disappointment had caused a fire in the belly of this team and there was a real determination to push on and win it in front of our home crowd in Dublin. This is the first year that our growing Junior membership, along with their parents, really got a chance to see the lads in Senior Cup action so there was a great buzz about the Club.

 

The lads took to a Group that included favourites, St. Vincents, Half Moon and Cú Chulainn. The other group saw Sandycove, Cathal Brugha, Corrib and Clonard face off. This was the very same layout as the victorious 2017 tournament with the exception of Cú Chulainn, who were being formed by the merger of Setanta and Grads at the time.

 

First up was bitter rivals Half Moon on Thursday. A close game for the most part, the lads always seemed to have a little extra in the tank. Paul, Ciaran and Bren were getting up and down the pool like mad men, Jamie was making saves everywhere and the backline were mopping up with Stevie and Karl marshalling their troops in front of them superbly. The game would end in a comfortable 12-8 win. The stage was set, win one more game and the Semis await.

 

Next up were favourites, St. Vincents on Friday morning. Close rivalries generally bring out good games and these two teams always seem to bring out the best in each other. A repeat of the 2017 final, the game played out in as close a fashion as that final two years ago. The game went goal for goal until the final minute with Vincents taking an 7-6 lead and North Dublin missing a great chance at the end to nick a draw. The lads were gutted but knew they would get another chance to qualify later. Some absolutely terrific performances were ultimately not enough to seal the win, but the performance was enough to convince everyone that this North Dublin side meant business as they had a very good Vincents side rattled.

 

The final group game came against Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn are a young club having been formed by the merger of Setanta and Grads in mid 2017 and they are a side who have come on leaps and bounds in the two years since their formation. They gave both Vincents and Half Moon very tough tests in their opening Group games so the lads knew they would have to work hard for their Semi-Final berth. And work hard they did. An absolute blitz in the first half saw the lads take up a massive lead. The fitness levels on show were phenomenal. Cú Chulainn looked shocked at just how much energy the North Dublin lads had. The game finished 15-3 and the lads were into the Semis to face a massive game against Cathal Brugha.

 

This was a repeat of the 2017 Semi Final were North Dublin shocked not just Brugha, but the entire Irish Water Polo community and toppled the Northern side with a performance for the ages. Brugha are always well drilled and efficient and any chance of catching them unawares again was unlikely. This was going to be two top teams going toe-to-toe for a spot in the Final. And that is exactly what we saw. North Dublin took the spoils in the first half with some excellent teamwork, fight and skill. They took a 5-2 lead in at half time. However, Brugha were not done. They came out swinging in the second half and caused North Dublin some real problems. North Dublin failed to convert chance after chance and this Brugha side were on hand to punish such errors. It all looked done and dusted when Brugha took an 8-6 with just over a minute to play but North Dublin amazingly still had something left in the tank. A Dave Sadlier penalty with a minute to play made it 8-7. Brugha attacked once more, Jamie saved and all of a sudden there was hope. An attack down the right flank looked certain to give the lads the equalizer, but unfortunately Jordi couldn't find the right ball to reach Macker and that was it done. A very comendable 8-7 loss.

 

The lads were exhausted. So much so that it is hard to see if there would have been much left for the Final. They were gutted as were the North Dublin faithful in the stand. However, a moment that clearly shows just what this club is all about was about to come. As the lads walked down the bank after a brief team talk, the North Dublin crowd rose to their feet to applaud their fallen heroes. Many of these fans were parents and Juniors only getting a grasp on the game and on what this Club is all about. A togetherness that is there in the good times and the bad.

 

Brugha would go on to play St. Vincents in the Final and untimately lose a close game. Many watching felt that Brugha's lot may have been spent against North Dublin. Maybe it was but who knows. St. Vincents were of course worthy champions in the end. Our lads can take a lot away from the weekend, both in the pool and out of it.

 

A special thanks must go to Coach, Mick Cope, Team Manager, Mick O'Kane and former coach, Sean Kenna, who travelled from Spain to be apart of the backroom team for the lads. Well done all and we look forward to what next season has to bring.