Naomh Fionnbarra 2-10 Round Towers 2-08
What a day-what a game- what a night
The drums were beating, the flags were flying, the cars and buses were filling up fast as we made our way to Parnell Park for this Intermediate Championship Hurling Final. Could we regain past glories. The last time we won this was 1983, when we done the treble, League, Championship and Doyle Cup. A lot of the 83 panel were here to shout on these young guns. The Kehoes were out in force, well Nicky is the manager, Willie McAuley and Joe Moran are on the sideline helping out. More are in the crowd. Sons and relations are on this team. Come on the bars.
Match starts, we get off to a flier, after 10 minutes we go 1-5 to go 0-0 up, with some great scores from play, frees and a brilliantly taken goal from Carl Turner, son of Paul, one of the stars of 83. Towers are finding it hard to cope with our tactic of playing an extra man in the centre.
Towers get a free and score, it seems to lift their spirits, they chip away at our lead. They change to a short puck out bypassing centerfield and we find it hard to adjust, then in the space of a couple of minutes, Goal, then another Goal, suddenly 25 minutes gone and we’re 1 behind, we haven’t scored since the 10th minute, “come on lads get your act together” someone shouts from the crowd, Towers get another score from a free, 2 up. The lads are trying hard and it pays off, we get a point. Half time comes we go in just 1 down; everyone says thank God for such a good start.
Second half comes, has Nicky given one of his inspirational team talks? The lads look more focussed passing well and getting stuck in. We draw level, the go 1 up things are looking good. John (Botcho) Baily is having a man of the match performance; Gary McAuley is playing his heart out. A couple of subs are brought on, we now have 3 minors, Dingle, Dillon and Trollier running at the Towers defence. Both teams playing brilliantly, giving everything. Stephen Costello and Niall Paget scoring from free’s and 65’s The game ebbs and flows, the lead changing with every score.
Were into the last 5 minutes, another Sub for us, big Gossie is coming on to join his son on the pitch, at 45 the elder lemon of the panel, gets a huge cheer from the crowd. Towers are on the attack the defence is working hard, with young Gossie (growler) seemingly playing better now Da is on the pitch. Towers on attack again, Gary McAuley goes down, looks likes a nasty head injury, he has to come off for treatment. Towers man sent off for second yellow card, will this lift them and make them play harder groans our crowd.
Last few minutes were down by 1, the Towers defence is holding out, clearing up, hooking and blocking our forwards, can we get an equaliser , one of our defenders launches a huge ball into the full forward line, ball coming in around the small square, Big Gossie goes up and catches brilliantly, the crowd stands up all cheering, come on Gossie, hoping for an equaliser, Gossie turns, 3 defenders converge around him, He strikes the ball – GOAL, The crowd goes mental ,we’re 2 up, time just up. How injury time to be played. Towers Launch another attack the defence clears again and again, then Towers given a free about 30 meters out, 3 minutes into injury time they have to go for goal.
Free taken ball dropped in, defence holds out, Ref blows Full Time. Yes We are the Champions. Big Gossie swamped by crowd, what a fairytale ending for him a fitting way for one of our best ever clubmen to be adored by his family and friends. The pitch is taken over by our supporters, players hugged, Slapped, kissed, tears everywhere.
Time for the presentation. Captain Ian Mc Donnald proudly accepts the cup on behalf of the club. More tears from some of our older members especially the 83 panel. Ian makes his speech thanking all especially Nicky and Dave Fogarty our coach who set them targets for the year and kept them on track.
What a Day -What a Game – What a night back in clubhouse – Sorry no report on that in case Gardi reading this.
PS
We now progress into Leinster Championship. Keep checking website for further details.
Jackpot not won next week €2600 lucky dip Winner Tara Paget.
