Portlaoise College 3 - Maynooth 7
The game was straight in from the starting whistle with both teams pressing hard. It was clear victory would have to be earned, with neither side giving an inch. As the wind swirled around so did the ball with the players not being found wanting in the tackle. Portlaoise struck first blood when they were awarded a free kick in the first five minutes, slotting it into the back of the net. Maynooth, not to be outdone, responded in kind minutes later when Adam Nolan smashed the ball into the back of the net with a beautifully taken volley.
Maynooth took the lead when a cross from Kian Brunton was sent into the net by Reece Salmon. Maynooth stretched their lead to be 4-1 at halftime with goals from Conor McInerny and Ciaran Glover. Things were looking good. Portlaoise came roaring back into the game with an early goal in the second half. Despite the scoreline, both teams were very evenly matched and the game still looked like it could go either way. Both sides traded blows but Maynooth held firm in the back conceding only one more goal.
Maynooth furthered their lead, and got a foothold in the game, with two more goals from Kian Brunton and Adam Nolan, as a result of two well taken free kicks from Nolan and Charlie Lynns. The game finished 7-3 after the lads began to pepper the Portlaoise goal but it was Alan Dolan that eventually struck gold and found the back of the net. It was an intense game with high tensions all around.
There was passionate support from both sidelines, especially from our own Mr Fagan who could probably be heard from Maynooth. A man who typifies the passion on Maynooth Education status for our sport. The Player’s man of the match was given to super sub Sweeney, who turned half the Portlaoise players inside out. Chants of “Sweeney’s on Fire” reverberated all around the triumphant chariot as our weary heroes returned home.
A brilliant performance from all of the lads. Best of luck in the final on Tuesday against Monasterevin.
MCC Abu.