Over 40s 02-12 St. Colmcilles Bettystown 01-10
Adam Roach, Hubert Madigan, James Fitzgerald, Aidan Conaty. Robert Lumley. Martin Lumley, Jamie Nugent, Dermot O Grady, Greg Doyle, Declan Cowley, Thomas Flood, Joe O Brien, Popeye. Matt Milling, David Martin, Mark Thomas
Referee Mick Joyce
Opposition: St Colmcilles of Bettystown
Venue: St Margaret’s
Date: Friday 30th July 7.30
Author: Declan Cowley
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A dull and wet evening could not extinguish the fiery display of passion which graced the hallowed turf of St Margaret’s last night.
St. Colmcilles of Bettystown Co. Meath were the visiting team who were going to test the living legends of St Margaret’s.
As the teams warmed up, the heavens poured down. Thankfully, either through divine intervention or James Fitzgerald having a word with referee Mick Joyce, the rain stopped just before throw in.
From the throw in, many those watching could sense that St Margaret’s were going to play with purpose. There was such a steely confidence and unremorseful believe in the team that, to the surprise of all, head coach Declan Cowley opted to play 13 a side on the front pitch.
The game started off at a 100 mile an hour pace, exchanges between both sides were robust, intense and crafty. The initial battle for dominance took place at mid field. Greg Doyle put such an amazing shift of work during this phase and throughout the entire match that it would make even the Duracell Bunny envious of his energy.
Dermot O Grady was also pulling the strings at mid field with his off the ball movements to allow the others to play around and past him. Age appears not to have caught up with DOG.
This sublime movement from DOG lead to the first goal. It started from the back line and with a series of passes between the backs, midfields and forwards which ended up with half back Aidan Conaty sending a stunning shot into the back of St. Colmcilles net. It was a goal for the ages.
Thomas Flood playing delightful football, linked play with Popeye and Joe O Brien to cause the defence of St. Colmcilles many headaches. At one point, Thomas was very unlucky not to score he used his head, neck, knee and elbow in one move to try and get a goal, but the ball refused to cross the line.
The second goal for St Margaret’s resulted from a marauding run from Jamie Nugent. He intertwined a string of passes with Popeye, Joe O Brien and Declan Cowley and slipped the ball past keeper with a shot worthy of playing at Breffni Park.
The opening third also brought a string of fine scores from Joe O’Brien, Popeye, Thomas Flood, Greg Doyle and Jamie Nugent.
The defence were magnificently led by the Lumley brothers. Both Robert and Martin shred many years with their excellent play. They brought a sense of calmness for others in the defence.
James Fitzgerald played the game of two men. Keeping his player under wraps while also keeping David Martin focused in on the game. It was through the leadership and guidance of Fitzgerald that David Martin played one of his better matches in St Margaret’s Jersey.
St Colmcilles scored their only goal in the first half. This was primarily caused by momentary lapse in concentration and some defenders slipping at the wrong time.
Indeed the wet pitch brought some notable slipping incidents in the game with notably Thomas Flood turning slipping and falling into a sport suitable for the Olympics.
Adam Roach played a fine game in goals, great to see you back Adam.
The second third of the game brought about the renaissance of Declan Cowley. Clearly all the practicing which he had in the previous Celbridge game was paying off and this section of the game he dominated with score after score. He was ably assisted by Matt Milling long return to the forward line and Matts enthusiasm for the game helped drive the team along to many more scores.
The energy of the team was starting to ebb so ex-coach Popeye moved to the half forward line where he became a vital link in play. The turn of pace of Popeye was a delight to witness for all those at the game.
The second 20 mins also brought Mark Thomas back to the forward line, and while it took Mark some time so get into the game, Mark started to shine during this period until he took a knock which may require a visit to the physio, we will await an update on this.
Joe O Brien deserves a special mention as he hit a purple patch during this part of the game.
St Margaret’s ended this period with a score line of 2.11 to St Colmcilles 1.5.
The final third brought an air of confidence started in the team. Hubert Madigan, who was playing brilliantly beside James Fitzgerald decided that it was time for him to finally express himself on the pitch and opted, for the first time in thirty years, to move into the forward line.
Declan Cowley made some radical decisions with allowing Dermot O Grady take a rest in the back line and moving Adam Roach to the forward line beside Madigan and putting Mark Thomas into goals.
Roach was really starting to enjoy his time back on the pitch with his size 10s kicking ball after ball. Unfortunately the boots were not shooting boots and in the end Roach will feel that he should have chalked up a few scores.
This part of the game brought some frustration into the team as the misses started to add up. It may be due to tired legs and fatigue. But things started to change, when Dermot O Grady, rested from his time spent in the back line, started to get vocal and encourage his team mates on.
Thomas Flood was the only scorer in the final third of the game with a point which came towards the end of the game.
The match ended St Margaret’s 2.12 St Colmcilles 1.10.
The Hughie Smith Cup Final will take place on the 28/08/2021. It will see both sides compete against each other again. St Margaret’s know that they have a few more players to bring in. But after last night’s team performance, both Drew Barnwell and Neil McGuirk who will come back into the fold, will most likely resume their normal playing positions of starting on the line.
It’s onwards and upwards for this team of mighty oaks.
Celbridge 2-11 St Margarets 1-09
Celbridge held off a fierce onslaught from St Margarets to win their first U40s match of the year
A very solemn 1 minutes silence to Jean Martin
led way to a spectacular showcase of male over indulgence and residual skill and talent!
The game started well for St Margarets who had an initial willingness to have everyone involved - there were several mesmerising passages of play between the forward line of Ivan Smith, Mick Kennedy, Mark Thomas.
Half forwards Drew Barnwell, Declin Cowley and Joe Block - fed by midfielders Dermot O'Grady and Greg Doyle were all excellent in these early exchanges! - play after play seemed to indicate natural born talent over fitness!
Full backs Jem Fitz, Hu Madigan and Richie Cantwell had little to do whilst half backs Robert Lumley, Jamie Nugent and Martin Lumley were superb in starting attack after attack - Greg Doyle and Dermot O'Grady in midfield winning everything - seriously impressive!
Those early exchanges could have yielded 3-5 extra points but lack of practice led to poor finishing.
Cowley and Smith were particular culprits in these early exchanges - missing a serious amount of goal and point opportunities - the radars clearly still needing focusing from the long lack of practice!
But a lot to be happy with here - the quarter ended unbelievably Celbridge 2 points up - 5 points to 3
Some tactical changes seemed to induce more vigour into the Celbridge half backs with excellent movement from half back to midfield to the forward line - Celbridge were on fire here - figuring out that obeying the one hop one solo (madness?) rule was the way to beat this healthy but unfit St Margarets outfit.
St Margarets seemed to wilt.
Celbridge continued their dominance of this quarter - they were excellent - St Margarets becoming tired of the onslaught of clever play from the the Celbridge mid field and half forwards - they couldn't deal with the runners from all angles.
In the end - poor finishing from the Celbridge forwards - in combination by excellent harrying by Margarets defenders with great goal keeping by stand in keeper Aidan Conaty - kept Margarets in the game and at half time - they were only 5 points down - the half finishing Celbridge 8-5 up.
Half time couldn't come quick enough for some thirsty souls with some damaged muscles from the hard ground at Celbridge's number 1 pitch - plenty of running and covering done by most St Margarets back in that last quarter - effort not rewarded by poor forward finishing.
Manager Leslie Cowley - furious - rejigged tactics and moved the ever impressive Dermot O'Grady to half forward to get some momentum in the top half - and Dermot did not disappoint - his vision, tactical prowess and constant talking - seemed to start St Margarets off to a change of momentum - corner forwards Joe Block and Richie Cantwell making space for the midfield and half forward runners of Drew Barnwell and Greg Doyle.
Yet they couldn't get the ball far enough up the field to affect anything - Celbridge continuing where they left off - quick minds, passing, reduced errors - score after score - the damage was done in this quarter - St Margarets barely able to get out of their half!
2 (jammy) goals seemingly put this tie to rest - Celbridge in complete control at 2-9 to 0-7. Tempers were always boiling on the service and frustrations showed with Mark Thomas in particular showing a will and desire - deemed not fitting of the 'friendly' nature of the encounter by the ref.
A demoralised team crawled into the 3rd quarter water break demoralised and wondering how this game was going to play out - with little possession - so many 'tired' mistakes.
One thing that was always going to affect St Margarets was there lack of numbers on the night - whilst Celbridge had a brimming squad of 30 to Margarets 17 - the freshness was always going to be with Celbridge - 3rd Quarter ended Celbridge 7 points up! Score 2-9 to 0-7
But whatever you say about this team - or this club - you can never take away it's spirit and when manager Leslie Cowley clarified positions and roles - St Margarets came out into the final quarter like a different beast,
Now having some structure - Margarets seemed to move down the lines more fluently - and the ever running motor of mid fielder Greg Doyle - the engine of this side - linked play from back to front. Margarets had serious momentum this half - and it told in the score board as they knocked off score after score. A goal by Declin Cowley - a serious culprit in the first half - and some suberv fre kicks from Mark Thomasand Dermot O'Grady - had Margarets within a score of a shell shocked and tiring Celbridge!
But as the replacements rolled on and off for Celbridge - Margarets just didn't have enough time to affect the outcome of this came - which they would have if there were 5 more minutes - and O'Grady Baggio style free kick being the final kick of this encounter!
Celbridge deserved this win - for their early momentum - cleverness - movement - and for Margarets lack of precision in front of goal. Congratulations - and we hope to avenge this defeat another time!
St Margarets: Aidan Conaty; Richie Cantwell, Hubert Madigan, James Fitzgerald; Jamie Nugent, Robert Lumley, Martin Lumley; Dermot O'Grady, Greg Doyle; Drew Barnwell, Declan Cowley, Trevor Ratcliffe, Mick Kennedy, Ivan Smith, Joe Block
Want to join the Over 40s?
Lads - there are 55 on our Whatsapps / ClubZap - but only 15/16 ever show up - we need a better showing - especially now that this age category is attracking more interest (see here). We need to get fitter faster and lets start 2022 like we ended 2021 - an unbeatable force!
For anyone who isn’t currently on ClubZap - just download the ClubsZap app, search and ‘subscribe’ to ‘St Margarets GAA’, go to chats, click on the bottom right green chat icon, find the ‘Over 40s’ group and request to join.
Over 40s V Celbridge - tonight @ 8pm Celbridge
The fabulous Over 40s take on Celbridge (Celbridge GAA Club, Hazelhatch Rd, Commons, Celbridge, Co. Kildare - directions here) this evening at 8pm
Lifts leaving carpark in the Coolquay Lodge at 6:50pm
All spectators welcome!
Want to join the Over 40s?
For anyone who isn’t currently on ClubZap - just download the ClubsZap app, search and ‘subscribe’ to ‘St Margarets GAA’, go to chats, click on the bottom right green chat icon, find the ‘Over 40s’ group and request to join.
Fingallians 5-15 St Margarets 4-14
Fingallians came out victors tonight in a scintillating game of high scoring under the lights. This game was a show case of voracious hunger and competitive spirit with Fingallians just making it over the line as St Margarets relentlessly pushed in the final half without reward.
The cob webs had to be discarded quick as this game started at a frantic pace with both teams getting to grips with a long break away from competitive football.
The first quarter saw both teams huff and puff to match the enthusiasm of the other with Fingallians coming out the better with a series of well taken first time scores from distance. St Margarets seemed to want to walk the ball into the Fingallians net with some fine interplay but little reward. If it wasn't for some excellent defending from backs James Fitzgerald, Ollie Bean, Jamie Nugent and Robert Lumley and some super saves from goal keeper Robert Byrne, Fingallians would have went in a lot more than the 1-5 to 1-2 score line.
The water break seemed to settle St Margarets who got to grips with the Fingallian forwards familiarity with this excellent outdoor pitch with once again some excellent defending from backs Fitzgerald, Bean, Nugent & Lumley.
The Margarets forwards started to move a lot fluidly with Joe Block, Ivan Smith, Richie Cantwell and Aidan Conaty working well contributing 6 points between them. Huge contributions from Nigel Kennedy, Bean and Stephen Rielly pushed a rampant Fingallians back with their first half downhill advantage. The sides went in at half time within 5 - Fingallians leading 3-10 to 2-08.
After a stern half time talk from team captains Robert Byrne and Declan Cowley and some clever tactical manoeuvring from Tom Flood - St Margarets stormed out at half time under the lights and pressed Fingallians for long periods in their own half with clever neat interplay and plenty of strong running from the engines Greg Doyle, Declan Cowley and Dermot O'Grady as well as superb leadership from the back by Kennedy. Somehow St Margarets went into the 3rd quarter 1 point down after dominating proceedings without fruition - the sides going in to the penultimate quarter 4-13 to 4-12.
What can a commentator say about the 4th and final quarter where there was only one side in it but a blanket Fingallians defence stopped every foray by the St Margaret's runners with some wayward long range shooting and some bizarre goal mouth rebounds and cross bar rattling. Michael Kennedy in particular seemed to have a personal vendetta with the Fingallians sticks whilst the Fingallians keeper pulled off some tremendous saves. Byrne, Block, Conaty and O'Grady all had one on one chances which came to nothing to the gasps from the watching - socially distanced - spectators and their dogs.
Cowley & Doyle were superb in their relentless running whilst forward Ivan Smith was one of the only sharp shooters on the St Margarets side with clever running and magnetic off loading.
As the excellent St Margarets defence pushed up to support their forwards, Fingallians took their limited opportunities to keep the score board ticking and eventually ran out 5-15 to 4-14 victors.
What a great game this evening with both teams showing cavalier spirit and surprising fitness considering. I think this St Margarets side is getting better every time they come together and even if this was their first defeat under the guidance of tactical masters Cowley and Byrne, it was possibly their best performance to date.
This team are well worth a watch!
Hughie Smyth Memorial Cup August 28th - postponed
After yesterdays Irish Government COVID announcement, the Hughie Smyth Memorial Cup tournament - due to take place Aug 28th - has been postponed till a later date.
Hughie Smyth Memorial Cup August 28th
The super over 40s are playing the Hughie Smyth memorial cup again this year on the weekend of the 28th Aug.
Its not confirmed if its the Fri or Sat evening yet.
We cant do a tournament due to covid restrictions so we are playing the one match (opposition TBC) in the complex with a few refreshments/beers afterwards.
Lets get the numbers up (training every Thursday with Juniors) and we hope to get a friendly match in beforehand.