Last word for 'the quiet man'
Manager, Eddie Mc Loughney spoke to the players in the dressing after the match. With his eyes closed and dripping in passion he attributed their win to the summer training of Colm O’Connor and Ernie Brenner, to Declan Ryan who previously trained this team and to Dave Mc Bride and Anthony Manning who train the under 14s. He also told the players that they had given everything they had during the match.
Conor O'Riann . . Tá an athas orm . .
St Vincent’s 0-9 St Sylvester’s 2-8
This great victory was achieved by great people working together with many years of hard work. The above group of people deserve great days like this because the players exemplify them.
CLICK FOR PHOTO ALBUMPhilip Browne played in goal and conceded nothing. He stopped one effort in the second half and got out to block the follow up. Conor Ryan at full back leads by example on this team. He gave nothing away and stopped a certain goal in the first half with a brilliant hook. Craig Fitzgerald is a stand up corner back. He took a serious hit in the first half, kept his discipline and won the next ball. His opponent was substituted. Alan Kavanagh from the under 14s gave his opponent no room and no scores. Kevin O’ Flynn at half back got the man of the match award. He was brave and skilful especially in a very busy second half. At centre half back Breandán Flood had the commanding performance needed to achieve victory in hurling. He was an immense presence right through the game. Kevin Mc Loughney at wing back made the hard yards and did the hard work as well as his trademark runs at opponents. Conor Dwyer came on at corner back and was as mean as the rest of the full back line. He gave his opponent nothing. Vincent’s scored nine points including frees. That was a real testament to this defence.
Stephen Cunningham and Conor Quinn in midfield are the engine room of the team and their work rate was vital to achieving this victory. They are big players in every sense of the word and also leaders by example.
Owen Costello scored a brilliant opening goal with a powerful run to lay down an important early marker. He worked his socks off right through to the end. Paul Mc Bride put over the vital frees and 65s and also dominated the centre forward position. Mark Hazley pointed all his frees in a nerveless performance but that’s Mark’s way. He was very unlucky not to score with a wonderful strike in the second half. Mark Hughes was the right man in the right place to score the match winning second goal. He blocked and harried and got through a workload as well. Sean Kane, with his usual brilliant all action style made some really hard yards for the team in a very tense second half. He deserves a medal for bravery alone. David Sexton had a great game at corner forward and laid on the vital goal. He was quick and intelligent in possession.
Vincent’s hauled back our 7 point lead down to 2 points late in the second half. They asked all the questions. We had the character, belief, discipline and commitment to achieve a great victory both on and off the field.
It was a great day, a pleasure and privilege.