The Senior footballers progressed to the next round of the Beringer Cup with a reasonably comfortable victory over St Pauls second string at Boucher Road on Sunday 23rd.
The blustery conditions made it difficult for both teams and it was evident neither side had played any real competitive football so far this season. We enjoyed plenty of possession in the early stages, moving the ball quickly and smartly but couldnt find the target. Our only return in the early exchanges was a point from play from Ciaran O’Riordan.
St Pauls, with a blend of youth and experience, also had a fair bit of possession in the first half but it was mostly in the middle of the park and their own half back line.They rarely threatened our goal but when they did, their lads were well shadowed and any danger was quickly averted through good work from Padraig McParland, Danny Wallace, Tony Kelly and Thomas Og Toland.
The players were also adopting to the new black card rules with Ciaran O’Riordan falling foul of the new intepretation midway through the half. It didn’t affect our rhythm though and we added a goal through Michael Rowntree and another point Liam McGivern. In reply, St Pauls registered a point of their own to leave us 1-2 to 0-1 ahead at half time.
The second half was much the same as the first with chances few and far between. The play was conjested between the two 45s, and when we did break forward, chances again went abegging.
We did register a major when Thomas Toland was on hand to tap in from close range. With legs tiring, both sides emptied the benches and St Paul’s rallied with a couple of points, although the result was never in doubt. Their cause wasn’t helped when they were reduced to 14 with 10 mins or so left and the game petered out; final score 2-2 to 0-3.
 We now play Sarsfields this Sunday 30th, at 2.30pm.
