BLESSINGTON FOOTBALL CLUB

Season Synopsis 2012-2013

Blessington made the move over to the Leinster Senior League after many seasons in the AUL with a feeling of stepping into the unknown, but it could not have got off to a better start with a 9-0 thumping of Knockmitten at home in the August sunshine. It was quickly followed up with a convincing 3-0 victory over almost local rivals Jobstown to really start the season with a bang. Two defeats in the next three games to would-be title challengers Liffey Valley and Lakelands put doubt in the minds of those who believed that Blessington were real title contenders.  

What followed in the rain-filled next 7 months was the key in erasing these doubts.  Fourteen wins from the next fifteen games (Two walk-overs against league drop-outs Coill Dubh included) brought Blessington to the summit of LSL Premier Sunday 1 with 2 games in hand. They showed a ruthless streak that went unmatched in any league across the LSL, scoring 54 goals in that run. With the now league leaders needing 7 points from 4 games to complete a memorable league win, the towns first in 33 years,  they faced a much improved Larkview on a Thursday evening under lights. They took an early lead but the nerves kicked in and in the end were potentially lucky to get out with a point.  This point was vital in deciding where the title would end up.

Liffey Valley, who themselves still had a chance of winning the title, visited Blessington the following Sunday on a mission. The West Dublin side survived an early onslaught to dominate the match and end up victorious in a 2-0 victory.  While the Blessington side was very disappointed, their objective remained unchanged. 2 wins from their 2 remaining matches, both at home, would seal the title that the players so desperately craved.  Beechwood arrived the following Tuesday with revenge in their eyes following 5-0 hammering earlier on in the season. They set about a nervy Blessington side early on, but once the home side got the opening goal midway through the second half, Beechwood lost discipline and ended the game with 9 men. The game finished 3-0.

So it was all down to the last day of the season, Dundrum F.C were the visitors to Blessington. The weather over the weekend had put the game in some doubt but some good work by the Blessington staff ensured that the game would go ahead. A big crowd came up to Cross Chapel with a sense of occasion in their mind.  The team looked determined from the off and after 20 minutes started to take control of the match. They started to tear Dundrum apart and created a few excellent chances, but it wasn’t until the 40^th minute did they convert a well executed set piece. Philip Sheridan got on the end of a beautiful cross from the left and buried an excellent header past the Dundrum keeper

The second half started the way the first half finished and Blessington scored 4 goals in the first 15 minutes. Skipper David Carroll played a captains role by scoring the second direct from a free kick to ease all nerves and goals from Paddy Carroll,  Sean O'Brien,  Ken Long and an own goal brought the title to the West Wicklow side. Fitting that they found their ruthless streak once again when it mattered most.

A determined Blessington team had the past on their mind as they dedicated their win to late team mates, James Nolan and Raymond Daniels.

Top Goal Scorer,    Conor Murphy                    18 Competitive Goals

Goal of the Season Scott Doyle              Vs Ballymun, FAI Junior Cup 

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