Our annual challenge game to get the season under way took place on Saturday when we played our good friends at ICL. With the weather been awful the day before the game we opted to play on the all weather pitch.
IPL where a couple of men down so we gave them three players on loan. Tom, Gerry, Paul.
The game got under way with our ref for the day James “nose job” Kilroy throwing the ball in.
We where quick out of the blocks and took an early lead, Sean Allen and Johnny “let it in low” Costello taking their scores well, some good link up play from Damo Shannon and Donal “Zeus” Flynn help us to extend our lead by a tidy margin in the first 20 minutes. Dave Moran in goal and the two DD’s Dermot & Dairmaid may as well have had the decks chairs out and caught some sun.
Our half backs in the pairing of Liam and Nigel where getting the opportunity to push up the field and took a couple of scores.
We where well ahead in the first of three 20 minute periods and changed our team around with Donal opting to wear the extra small ICL jersey for the second 20, all be it needing a hand to get the jersey on. There second 20 was a bit lack lustre and we where going through the motions and ICL got a few scores. New recruit Darren “Shaggy” Carroll landed awkward and challenging for the ball and twisted his ankle and need to come off. Hopefully it is not too serious and he will be back in action soon.
Long term member of the team Niall Murray was in fine form and bagged a few goals in the second period. Daire Mc Cormack came on and played well in at half forward. Louie “Osama” Doherty played well and got a few scores to kick start his Eire Og career.
The final 20 was a good test for the lad’s fitness and we stepped it up a gear or two and extended our lead. The game ended and with us running out comfortable winners.
Next up is our trip to Amsterdam on St Patrick’s weekend to play in Amsterdam GAA 10th anniversary tournament. We will also have a presence at the St Patrick’s day parade in London with us half two slots on the day to demonstrate Gaelic football and to promote the club.
warren - March 11, 2013 at 12:03 pm
well done lads – good start to the season