INTER CLUB GAME 2003

Superior fitness the key as under 25’s enjoy their day in the sun

Sunday March 16th 1pm All Saints High School: Bros Pearse Irish Festival challenge

Under 25’s 4-9 Over 25’s 2-8

Youth finally put the record straight with a convincing seven point victory over their older team mates in this pre-Paddy’s Day feast of football. Last year’s game resulted in a draw which the younger team should have won yet, surprisingly all the talk leading up to the game was about the size of victory for the stronger veterans. At 2.30pm the bar room prattle was laid to rest.
Many observers felt that the under 25’s best chance within the narrow dimensions of the All Saints Pitch would be to play 13 a side, allowing them further space to exploit, hence making their fitness count. So it came as a surprise to see 15 boys in blue race on to the pitch. They got the perfect start when their opponents failed to clear their lines with just a minute on the clock and Chris Keady gleefully put them out of their misery firing the ball into the roof of the net. The men in white responded with two quick points from Micky Carmody and Tommy Cornally, but in a clear sign of what was to come the under 25’s refused to bow to their elders and John Christopher Higgins took a pass from his centre field partner, Andrew Kitterick, stormed down the left hand touch line before clipping over a fine score. A Marty Loughran free extended the lead further but then the over 25’s began their blitz.
The youngsters found their path blocked on several occasions by Adrian O’Donovan, who put in a mammoth effort and this meant Paddy Carmody started to see more of the ball and, therefore, so too did the white shirted attackers. After sixteen minutes Joe Costello tapped a side line ball to Robert Salmon. He turned and without looking up bisected the posts from forty yards out. Two minutes later O’Donovan found Micky Carmody who was fouled and Cornally raised the white flag from the free. Then in the twenty first minute the veterans got the break they were searching for when Craig Conway attempted to kick the ball upfield but the crafty Dominic McKenna blocked his punt and the young keeper watched the ball drop agonisingly over the line. Leading 1-4 to 1-2 the over 25’s could now expect to take a healthy lead into the break but amazingly they were to score only one more point in the half. This was due in no small measure to Terry Murphy, Danny Scott and John O’Shea who organised the back six and Neil Thornton who tore up the field to set up a number of chances. Two frees by Higgins and a neat effort by Martin Cornally put the blues ahead once more before O’Donovan scored the point of the half with a barn-storming run and text book finish. At level scores the over 25’s must have been disappointed; enjoying the bulk of possession but failing to capitalise on their labour.
Once more the under 25’s got off to a great start within the first sixty seconds. Higgins struck a long ball down Cornally’s throat, his shot was saved by Paul O’ Connor but unfortunately for him Paul Quinn was on hand to tap home. Although Frank Maguire’s towering point reduced the arrears ten minutes later, the under 25’s responded immediately when Brendan Shanahan collected a back heel pass from Quinn, shrugged off his marker and pointed. Higgins pointed a further free but the old boys got another break in the forty sixth minute when a long range hack by P Carmody dropped over Conway for a second three pointer. Would this effort galvanise the Over 25’s? The answer was a resounding no. As the game wore on the play was spread out as tiring limbs began to affect the mobility of the older lads and Kitterick, Higgins and Sean O’Connor took control. O’Connor, in particular had a fine game on his return to the fold. He arrowed a long pass directly to Higgins who sent the leather flying between the uprights.
Three minutes later full forward, Keady collected from ‘Irishman’ Alex Kalinowski and extended the lead to three. The blues freshened things up with a couple of substitutions and got the immediate reward when their lead was doubled. Super sub Sean Dempsey beat the despairing Paul O’Connor to the ball and scored a goal with his first touch! The youngsters were determined to rub salt into the wounds of the aged and seven minutes later Miles O’donnell netted again. With the lead at nine points and spirits flagging it would be no surprise to see the whites give up the ghost so credit to them for attacking to the end, driven on by P Carmody. They pummelled a number of balls into the under 25 back line and Cornally dropped deep to change the pattern of play, but they met the cul de sacs of the dependable Dans, O’Shea and Scott. Conway also pulled off a full length save to deny the tireless Maguire. However, they did manage two late points from McKenna and Chris Leavy. It should be noted that the whites were missing John Ryan and Noel Kitterick. In contrast the under 25’s won without Andrew Kitterick scoring, which is a rarity. Indeed, I was hounded by supporters who begged me to report his missed effort from twenty yards out. He assures me that he was actually trying to pick out the corner forward! Paddy Carmody and his not so merry men were left to reflect that old footballers never die they just shoot a touch wide!!

Post match analysis:
‘The difference between the teams was the ref, he wants to be under 25 again’ (P Carmody)
‘Make a note of the fact that we beat them on a small pitch, playing 15 a side’ (JC Higgins)
‘Myself and Kitty have kicked, I mean kissed and made up’ (R Salmon)
‘It was nothing...I’ve seen worse at an Old Firm game’ (A Kitterick)
‘Hey, John, I’ll pay you that tenner when I get to the bank!’ (F Maguire)
‘I’m paid to serve beer not give out quotes’ (D O’Shea)
‘Vodka and coke’ (D McKenna)

	Inter Club Game Under 25's versus Over 25's Sunday 16th March 2003
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	Superior fitness the key as under 25’s enjoy their day in the sun Sunday March 16th 1pm All Saints High School: Bros Pearse Irish Festival challenge Under 25’s 4-9 Over 25’s 2-8 Youth finally put the record straight with a convincing seven point victory over their older team mates in this pre-Paddy’s Day feast of football. Last year’s game resulted in a draw which the younger team should have won yet, surprisingly all the talk leading up to the game was about the size of victory for the stronger veterans. At 2.30pm the bar room prattle was laid to rest. Many observers felt that the under 25’s best chance within the narrow dimensions of the All Saints Pitch would be to play 13 a side, allowing them further space to exploit, hence making their fitness count. So it came as a surprise to see 15 boys in blue race on to the pitch. They got the perfect start when their opponents failed to clear their lines with just a minute on the clock and Chris Keady gleefully put them out of their misery firing the ball into the roof of the net. The men in white responded with two quick points from Micky Carmody and Tommy Cornally, but in a clear sign of what was to come the under 25’s refused to bow to their elders and John Christopher Higgins took a pass from his centre field partner, Andrew Kitterick, stormed down the left hand touch line before clipping over a fine score. A Marty Loughran free extended the lead further but then the over 25’s began their blitz. The youngsters found their path blocked on several occasions by Adrian O’Donovan, who put in a mammoth effort and this meant Paddy Carmody started to see more of the ball and, therefore, so too did the white shirted attackers. After sixteen minutes Joe Costello tapped a side line ball to Robert Salmon. He turned and without looking up bisected the posts from forty yards out. Two minutes later O’Donovan found Micky Carmody who was fouled and Cornally raised the white flag from the free. Then in the twenty first minute the veterans got the break they were searching for when Craig Conway attempted to kick the ball upfield but the crafty Dominic McKenna blocked his punt and the young keeper watched the ball drop agonisingly over the line. Leading 1-4 to 1-2 the over 25’s could now expect to take a healthy lead into the break but amazingly they were to score only one more point in the half. This was due in no small measure to Terry Murphy, Danny Scott and John O’Shea who organised the back six and Neil Thornton who tore up the field to set up a number of chances. Two frees by Higgins and a neat effort by Martin Cornally put the blues ahead once more before O’Donovan scored the point of the half with a barn-storming run and text book finish. At level scores the over 25’s must have been disappointed; enjoying the bulk of possession but failing to capitalise on their labour. Once more the under 25’s got off to a great start within the first sixty seconds. Higgins struck a long ball down Cornally’s throat, his shot was saved by Paul O’ Connor but unfortunately for him Paul Quinn was on hand to tap home. Although Frank Maguire’s towering point reduced the arrears ten minutes later, the under 25’s responded immediately when Brendan Shanahan collected a back heel pass from Quinn, shrugged off his marker and pointed. Higgins pointed a further free but the old boys got another break in the forty sixth minute when a long range hack by P Carmody dropped over Conway for a second three pointer. Would this effort galvanise the Over 25’s? The answer was a resounding no. As the game wore on the play was spread out as tiring limbs began to affect the mobility of the older lads and Kitterick, Higgins and Sean O’Connor took control. O’Connor, in particular had a fine game on his return to the fold. He arrowed a long pass directly to Higgins who sent the leather flying between the uprights. Three minutes later full forward, Keady collected from ‘Irishman’ Alex Kalinowski and extended the lead to three. The blues freshened things up with a couple of substitutions and got the immediate reward when their lead was doubled. Super sub Sean Dempsey beat the despairing Paul O’Connor to the ball and scored a goal with his first touch! The youngsters were determined to rub salt into the wounds of the aged and seven minutes later Miles O’donnell netted again. With the lead at nine points and spirits flagging it would be no surprise to see the whites give up the ghost so credit to them for attacking to the end, driven on by P Carmody. They pummelled a number of balls into the under 25 back line and Cornally dropped deep to change the pattern of play, but they met the cul de sacs of the dependable Dans, O’Shea and Scott. Conway also pulled off a full length save to deny the tireless Maguire. However, they did manage two late points from McKenna and Chris Leavy. It should be noted that the whites were missing John Ryan and Noel Kitterick. In contrast the under 25’s won without Andrew Kitterick scoring, which is a rarity. Indeed, I was hounded by supporters who begged me to report his missed effort from twenty yards out. He assures me that he was actually trying to pick out the corner forward! Paddy Carmody and his not so merry men were left to reflect that old footballers never die they just shoot a touch wide!! Post match analysis: ‘The difference between the teams was the ref, he wants to be under 25 again’ (P Carmody) ‘Make a note of the fact that we beat them on a small pitch, playing 15 a side’ (JC Higgins) ‘Myself and Kitty have kicked, I mean kissed and made up’ (R Salmon) ‘It was nothing...I’ve seen worse at an Old Firm game’ (A Kitterick) ‘Hey, John, I’ll pay you that tenner when I get to the bank!’ (F Maguire) ‘I’m paid to serve beer not give out quotes’ (D O’Shea) ‘Vodka and coke’ (D McKenna)
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